<p>I know it’s a bizarre way to phrase the question, but it says exactly what I want to know–what makes BC worth the money? I got into the honors program early action, but with no presidential consideration (and therefore no merit money at all). I’m going to apply for need-based but most likely won’t qualify for any…that doesn’t mean that I can really afford full price! Please don’t tell me something like that I already answered my own question…I’m actually still really considering BC! But I’m just wondering if anyone has any reasons as to why is really BC worth the big price tag. How will my education and experience be better there than at the state school that I got a full ride to, with room, board, and everything? (Without telling everyone where I live, I’d say that it’s a large, above-average but not fantastic state school, with a good programs in my possible intended majors.) If you go to BC, why do you love it? Do you actually love it, or is it not as great as you thought it would be? I got into some other nice expensive private schools, but Boston College is the best one, and my personal favorite right now. Thanks for any input :)</p>
<p>Depends on what your state school is.</p>
<p>It really depends on your family’s wealth. If $220k is walking-around money, then BC is great. If $220k would come out of your parent’s retirement, then no college is worth it, not even Harvard. Save the $200k and use it for grad school, or buy a house when you graduate.</p>
<p>Tremendous dilemma for full pay families , the bursar does not care if you are deemed full pay at 200G family income or 5MM family income.</p>
<p>Why should someone pay 220G for a Lamborghini , when you can buy a Corvette for 55G (because they can afford it).
A corvette is not exactly a Lambo but for the price difference , it’s close enough for those that CAN"T afford the 220G.</p>
<p>BC vs state school , strictly a family financial decison , one that a friend of mine had to make , enrolling at Delaware over BC.</p>
<p>Dear sugarcookie : The answers to “value questions” such as yours are very personal and therefore subject to interpretation. None the less, some points to consider follow.</p>
<p>[1] If your family income is in excess of $150,000 per year with cash assets north of $100,000 and your own home, you can expect that financial aid will be highly unlikely at Boston College and most private schools. Therefore, if this is your family profile, most private four year schools will be between $30,000-$40,000 for academics, $10,000 for room and board, and $2,000-$3,000 for books and incidentals per year.</p>
<p>[2] The Boston College alumni network (as with many top private schools) is an extremely valuable utility to have available after graduation; most state school systems do not come close to the same level of networking potential, particularly in the northeast United States. National reputation and coverage of events at Boston College is substantially higher than a state school environment.</p>
<p>[3] Strength of faculty in your major/minor, university resources for investment (research labs for example), faculty grants/research funding, and overall campus environments tend to be stronger in private over public schools.</p>
<p>Each year after the EA Round, the sticker shock starts for Boston College families. Your question is completely valid. As a New Yorker, the question for my family would be “If you could pay $15,000 per year for SUNY/Binghamton, SUNY/Geneseo, or SUNY/Albany, what would make Boston College worth $35,000 per year more?” There might be many other intangibles, however those three points are the big ones from my bill payer’s perspective.</p>
<p>Framed as a strictly economic question the answer is simple: There is nothing you will learn, see or experience at BC that is “worth” a $220,000 expense. It’s unlikely that you will get a job from going to BC that would ever provide a big enough salary difference to overcome the out-of-pocket expense and its concurrent opportunity cost losses. While you might make some connections that ultimately provided you with a big payday, that result is unknowable as is the fact of who you might meet at your state school.</p>
<p>So in the end you’re left with qualitative discussions. Is you state school surrounded by cornfields and you always wanted to go to a big city environment? Does the state flagship only offer massive lecture classes of 300+ for the first two years versus a smaller, more one-on-one educational experience? Is your intellectual position at one school more appealing and challenging than at the other? Will one environment make it easier for you to succeed than the other?</p>
<p>Some people buy Fords, others BMWs and others Aston-Martins. All three will get you where you want to go; in the end it’s not about the car but the driver.</p>
<p>My son is a sophmore at BC as a chemistry major. Since I am paying the full tuition the question is do I feel the money is worth it. So far he is getting an excellent “college experience” both academically and socially. Of course, he has taken full advantage of what BC and the Boston community has to offer. His course load is extremely challenging, the class sizes are not very large, and the professors are approachable and helpful. He plays in the marching band, runs the Boston marathon, is a eagle EMS, and works a few hours a week at the phone center. He has a large group of friends, who help each other, and are mostly just nice kids. He too could have went to his state university and gotten a good education at less than a quarter of the price. However, it is highly doubtful he would have had the same experiences or see the same opportunities at the state school. He is working very hard, but seems well adjusted, and is thriving where he is. So is the money worth it so far? At least for this family, yes it is.</p>
<p>Check out the below article it may help you decide. I think every student considering college should read it. </p>
<p>[Student</a> loans leave crushing debt burden - Business - CNBC TV - msnbc.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40772705/ns/business-cnbc_tv]Student”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40772705/ns/business-cnbc_tv)</p>
<p>I lean more to vinceh - “It’s not the car that gets you there but the driver.”
Does a BC, Ivy or any private education give you more than your state school -the answer is… it will depend on you in the end. May it get you the first interview out of college -possibly; will it determine your future after that -absolutely not. The game is the same everywhere, know the game. Surround yourself by positive influence wherever you land. There will be great connections to be made at a state school that can totally assist your future. Take and make opportunities for yourself, meet or exceed the expectations that have been set for you, stand out! There may be more opportunity to stand out at a state school vs. a BC or Ivy where everyone is chasing the same model. I can tell you as a student who attended both a private and a SUNY many years ago. I found the SUNY had much better labs/resources (not saying that is the case everywhere.) I was surrounded by good and supportive peers and professors because I made the decision to be. Class size is not an issue if you have the ability and drive to seek out support when you need it. I am saying this as someone who earned a health care degree then became a sales rep in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry and went on to become the #1 sales rep in the country which opened even more doors. I did this in a rather small city (not the typical states that usually hold those titles.) I worked with many Ivy and private grads and far exceeded them in success and income - all with a SUNY degree. “It’s not the car but the driver.” Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, I like that I’ve gotten some really different opinions. If anyone else still has something to add that would be great. I have a lot of thinking to do…</p>
<p>I’m in a very similar situation. I was awarded a half-tuition scholarship to a school that I like, but not nearly as much as I love BC, and a full-tuition scholarship to a school I cannot see myself attending at all. Everyone I talk to has a different opinion, but they fall into the same three categories:
- Go where you think you will succeed, thrive and grow, regardless of the money. (BC)
- It’s okay to attend a lesser-known, less prestigious school because you’ll still receive a great education, at half the price, and the money you save will be helpful for grad school. (University A)
- If you attend a school that costs <10k per year, your four years will cost less than one at BC, and you can have a much more comfortable financial situation in your 20s/early 30s. (University B)
I have always fallen into the first category, personally, but I’m struggling with this decision. It’s overwhelming and stressful to be faced with this situation, which seems like it could have a significant impact on my entire adult life. It’s scary, and I hate being indecisive and controlled by money, but the reality is that it’s the first mature, adult decision I have to make. Over the next three months, I need to figure out what’s right for me, and you need to do the same for yourself. I highly recommend handwritten pro/con lists - extremely nerdy, but I find that it really helps. Also, check out the websites for BC and your other school. If they offer the option, visit for a weekend, or even email a student with questions. Do everything possible on campus- eat the food, sleep in the dorms, sit in the library, go to the student events and activities. Look at the courses they offer in your major. It might all be similar, but maybe you’ll find something that has the power to tip the scale in favor of one school.<br>
Best of luck to you. It’s a big decision, but I really believe that all of us making it will end up where we are meant to be.</p>
<p>An article that may help you sort things out, check out all the comments…
[Is</a> Ivy League Education Worth the Cost?](<a href=“http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/is-ivy-league-education-worth-the-cost/]Is”>Is Ivy League Education Worth the Cost? – Outside the Beltway)</p>
<p>I’m a current BC student who LOVES it here, but even I urge you to go to the state school. $220,000 is a huge amount, and would be a crippling amount of debt to graduate with.</p>
<p>Yeah, go to the state school.</p>
<p>Quite frankly (and I know I’ll get flack for saying this), a large state school is better than the private, under-the-radar Catholic university. </p>
<p>You know why?</p>
<p>[Best</a> Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ.com](<a href=“Best Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ”>Best Colleges & Universities - Ranked by Job Recruiters - WSJ)</p>
<p>Most recruited schools for jobs. Look at the schools on there. A lot are good, some are bad, but you know what they all have in common?</p>
<p>They’re big, with a lot of living alumni. When you graduate, it generally does not matter what your undergrad is (of course, Harvard is better than Greensdale Community College!) What matters most is this:</p>
<p>When your employer is reviewing your job apps, they will literally give the job to the college they went to FOREMOST. If you’re planning on living in your state, the in-state school would be better to go to 
</p>
<p>Think about it .out of Boston College, a very prestigious university, with a 220k debt and some job offers (because it is a great school, I’m not denying that) .or out of your state school, with little debt and a ton of job offers in state.</p>
<p>Go to BC for grad school. You’re obviously very smart, you’ll have no trouble getting in (or getting a job, for that matter).</p>
<p>This is a dilemma for you. Go to the state school if you feel it will give you what you need academically, socially and you are able to pursue your own personal interest. Let me also say that if you got into BC honors and a free ride at your state school you may want to look at some smaller private schools. There are many out there that would give you a presidential scholarship or other merit monies. I know we are approaching January 1st for most deadlines, however since you would have your CA done and possibly some other essay(s) you may want to research other schools with your major. Do not discount schools that you have not heard of, research them and see what they have to offer. You would be surprised at some of the wonderful programs at these schools.</p>
<p>My question is also, who is paying for the 220k? Your Mom & Dad? What are their ages?</p>
<p>We fall into some of the things that another poster listed — we just finished paying off our mortgage; however the house still needs tons of “fixer-upper” work—and we don’t have savings of 110k plus, but the income is well over 100k. However, we also are nearly 60 & worrying about being able to recover from college expenses in time before retiring (or being forced out). </p>
<p>If we wind up presented with this choice, it is not only the child who will be making it but also us — do we send the student to the high price tag place with all the connections another poster was mentioning, or the state school which has already accepted her? We take a big hit in ability to create more retirement savings if we do, and the house repairs get put off for four more years. </p>
<p>It’s something I think each family has to discuss and weigh out themselves.</p>
<p>I am going to give you a perspective both as a parent who’s been in your boat, and that of the next generation, my children. When I was applying to colleges many years ago, I knew I was going to medical school after that, and couldn’t take on more debt for college. My family was poor and my only working parent had passed away. So I took the full academic scholarship to the smaller less well known school and commuted instead of going to an Ivy league school where I also was accepted with half tuition scholarship.</p>
<p>After medical school, I had a fair amount of debt, which of course I repaid since I had a good salary. Now my children are not in need of any money for college, since my husband is also a professional. They got full academic scholarships to state schools and some to private colleges, too. So far they have elected to go to a top ten school with no financial aid, and we pay full tuition, even though we offered to put the money back into a fund for them if they took the money from the lower ranked school, even though their choices were very good.</p>
<p>Now our last child has the same question. She was accepted with full scholarships to three other very good schools, and Boston College, with no money. She wasn’t even a candidate for financial aid. Will she take the no money offer, knowing she could have a decent fund for a house, or whatever she wants?</p>
<p>I know that in retrospect I wanted to go to that Ivy league school, but couldn’t. Now my children can do whatever they want. We have come full circle. We are encouraging them to not think about the money, because in years to come, they are determined enough to have a great career and it will matter for their children, too what they do. Did I feel cheated? You bet. Do I want my children to feel cheated? No way. In the end, it may not be always about the money, even though it seems a huge obstacle at the time. Much luck to you with your decision. I think Boston College is worth it, at least for our last child. Incidentally, she still is making up her mind!</p>
<p>It depends on your state school. In a contest between North Dakota and BC, I’d be more likely to say that BC would be worth it. However, if you are paying full price at BC, then most flagship state schools are probably more cost-effective. </p>
<p>What state do you live in?</p>
<p>If it’s a question of $220m debt (whether parent’s or student’s) the answer is choose the most efficient method of education. Graduating cum laude from a state school looks as good on a resume as a private school. Save the debt for graduate school if you must borrow ( most firms will assist for graduate degrees).</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. Obviously my problem is that I’m kind of in a grey area–I can pay for some of it, but not nearly all of it. I’m still waiting on some other schools anyway, so I don’t have to make up my mind anytime soon…</p>
<p>Why should you go to Boston College instead of a state school with a full scholarship? Because in a sentence, you will look back years from now and regret it. </p>
<p>There is really no comparison between going to Boston College and a state school. From the campus to the relationship with teachers to the smaller classes to even the food, Boston College will be superior. Therefore, your college experience will be better.</p>
<p>It’s true that you can take classes and earn a college degree on a budget. But if at all possible, it’s always superior to go to the private college or university, since overall experience will be better in every way. Can you get the same degree for free? Of course. But you will go to larger classes in usually more sterile buildings with faces you’ve never seen before and go back to your dorm passing strangers, where you will swipe your card into a larger dorm with hallway after hallway of closed doors, the rooms of students who also go there but you don’t even say “Hi” to. Compare this scenario to Boston College, where students are friendly, you’ve already had orientation in the summer for classes and met some friends, the food is great, there are small classes and personal relationships with professors, and the campus is so beautiful you will feel like you’re the luckiest college kid alive. Everyone there will be full of school spirit and smiling and happy most of the time. </p>
<p>If you can swing it, or your parents can, it will be worth it. Yes, it means sacrificing and everyone does it. But it will change your life, and open doors in the future given the strong alumni network. Some years down the line, possibly your children may be interested in Boston College, and they will have legacy there if you go. </p>
<p>If you have been accepted into the Honors Program at BC, you are a special student, and all your hard work is going to be put to the test with difficult, challenging classes on a campus where everyone knows the value of hard work. Good Luck with your decision, our student made up her mind…she is not taking the scholarships to other schools. She is going to Boston College!</p>