I’m in a dilemma because I just received a full ride plus $1000 stipend scholarship from UTD.
The only way UT would be cheaper for me is if I lived at home and commuted (20-30 minute commute). How hard would it be for a commuting biology (pre-med) major to be involved in extracurriculars and study groups?
UTD http://aes.utdallas.edu/prospective-freshmen/awards
tuition $0
room and board $10668
Books and supplies $1200
stipend $1000 per semester -$2000
annual COA = $9668
UT Austin https://admissions.utexas.edu/tuition/cost-of-attendance
tuition $9626 - $11060
commuter $3348
misc expenses $4972
annual COA $17946 - $19380
These numbers are from the school’s web pages I just adjusted them to reflect yearly costs. I wish UT Austin would explain their “misc expenses” better I guess that includes books and fees and I think their figure for “commuter” includes parking and lunch. Unless UT Austin is giving you a large scholarship I don’t see how it would be cheaper even if you are commuting? You’ll save $6722 a year at UT Austin if you commute vs. living in the dorms.
Oh yeah, I was only looking at tuition. Thank you for breaking all the costs down for me!
All things equal, and with the cost of education, a tuition-free ride to college is better than most other options in life. And UTD is ambitious in excelling in the STEM fields–Strong (not Charlie). Different place entirely than UT Austin, in terms of collegiate experience, but proximity to Dallas provides for outstanding career opportunities. You have nothing but great options. Good on ya, mate.
@ktn166 I have a Freshman in the CNS this year with a similar major, and we discussed living at home and commuting. She said that now she is done with a semester that she feels she would have missed out on quite a lot both socially and academically had she lived at home and commuted. She had study groups, professor’s hours, TA hours, sports practice, work outs at the gym for her sport, and she had an 8 AM class that would have been challenging with Austin traffic. There were also tests in the evening that would have required her to go back downtown. She’s glad she stayed in the dorm even though it meant a student loan. She will continue to stay in the dorm this spring and again next year. Good luck in your decision!
UTD does have a strong premed program with a high acceptance % to med school. My DD is there now as a freshman and the majority of her friends are pre-health. It is a different environment from UT with both positive and negative aspects. UTD does make life easy because it is in a suburb. Everything you need for daily life is close - grocery stores, Target, restaurants. It is in a safe environment - my DD jogs all over without concern. She does have a car - the parking pass is cheap and parked right outside of the dorm. She explores all over Dallas/FT Worth with her friends. She has lived her entire life in Austin and she needed some distance from her family to get some independence. She did turn down UT CS to go to UTD and it has been a good decision for her. Good luck to you!