I recently got into the business honors program at UT Austin and the Wharton School of Business at UPenn. What school do you guys think is worth more? UT Austin is definitely cheaper by a lot. But does the prestige of UPenn matter more? I would love to get insight. Thanks!
A lot is obviously a relative term. Like 250k more or something much less? If it’s something you can handle Wharton is a unique opportunity. I would usually advise against taking on debt but this may be an exception. Full disclosure.Wharton bias alert.
Isn’t binding ED the only way you would have heard back from Penn? If you got.im ED you are obligated to attend Penn if affordable (and Penn meets full need so I expect.it is affordable.)
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Oh my gosh. I forgot to add “waiting on” before the Wharton. Lol overconfidence mistake haha!
Then I wouldn’t worry about making a choice until there is one to make.
Congratulations on UT.
@happy1 Is 100 percent right! Congrats on UT honors it’s a big deal.
BHP at UT is pretty elite, but Wharton has an unparalleled brand name among undergraduate business programs.
Assuming that you get in at Wharton, the decision comes down to questions of goals, costs, and fit.
If you are dead set on investment banking in NYC, then Wharton offers unmatched recruiting opportunities. UT in general, and BHP in particular, is also a target for some Wall Street banks, so a NYC gig in banking is not out of the question with the BHP option. Moreover, if you are open to energy banking in Houston (which, by and large, pays as much as “the street,” but with a much lower cost of living and no state income tax), then BHP is a great place to be–certainly no worse than Wharton and quite possibly better. If you are interested in management consulting, Wharton should offer better recruiting. For corporate finance, either program should open up great opportunities, with Wharton carrying greater weight nationally and BHP having a lot of influence in Texas.
Cost is hard to predict, since it depends on a number of yet-to-be-determined factors. BHP should have a lower list price, but Penn offers strong financial aid. You’ll have to wait for your FA packages and see how things pan out.
Fit is the wild card. No matter how much Wharton might do to enhance a Wall-Street-or-bust career track, if you visit campus and hate the vibe, then you should pause and consider whether or not the brand name would be worth four years of potential misery (with misery often being a driver of poor student performance academically). On the other hand, if you are a Texas resident who isn’t crazy about Philly but who is eager to experience a different part of the country, then Wharton might be a reasonable leap of faith. If you love Austin, hate the vibe at Penn, get a lower sticker price at UT, and are happy to recruit for banking or consulting in Houston (or, say, corporate finance in Austin or Dallas), then BHP looks like the winner. These are factors that only you can weigh, and a visit to both campuses would do a great deal to provide you with the “data points” that you’ll need to make an informed judgment.
Whatever happens with Penn, you can feel great about already having gotten into a top program like BHP. You can’t go wrong either way!
Both programs are great but there are no two ways about Wharton’s significantly superior value. If you get accepted and can swing it financially even if very uncomfortably then by all means go with Wharton without a second thought.
This is was so helpful. Thank you so much!
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Why would you create a post if you didn’t even get into UPenn yet? What if you don’t get in?
It’s free and dreaming is ok. OP. Good luck and relax. With UT honors in hand it’s all icing on the cake either way.
I just wanted to get everything prepared beforehand. There are some decisions I have to make soon due to time restrictions for colleges, so I just needed some specific information. If I do not get in, then the decision becomes easier. Information beforehand is good to have 
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If you want to work in NYC, Boston, or SF, I would choose Wharton. If you want to return to Texas, I would choose UT.
Not enough information offered by OP. For example, how much is the annual COA at Texas ? Do you qualify for financial aid at Penn-Wharton ? Intended major ? Career goals ?
The potential cost difference is slightly more than $50,000 per year if OP is a Texas resident & does not qualify for any financial aid grant at Penn-Wharton.
Unclear as to any specific major or career goals.