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To answer the OP, the more expensive school is not worth it unless it has the statistics to back it up. Check various ranking sources to see which school is ranked higher institutionally and in your major of interest. I've had plenty of people assume that a local private school was great just because it was private, but the statistics and rankings did not back them up. I was just talking to someone who thought this private school had a good program when it was actually one of the lowest ranked in the state. This is a field where school ranking determines whether or not you're going to be unemployed because the field is already oversaturated.
My personal problem with State schools is that the classes are often led by a TA (Teaching Assistant who is pursuing their Phd.) rather than a Phd. Professor. This is not true of all State schools, but worth investigating.
Cost, living costs all figure in. But, it depends on the field or industry you plan to enter. And if you have your goals set on one or two particular companies, it would be worth investigating their hiring practices. I worked at one famous multinational consumer products company, that only recruited from specific schools. None of these schools were Ivy League, nor were they located on the East Coast either.
So add into consideration your career goals and the companies or institutions you want to work for.
The OP has not provided their major, so it is hard to give solid advice.
My personal problem with State schools is that the classes are often led by a TA (Teaching Assistant who is pursuing their Phd.) rather than a Phd. Professor. This is not true of all State schools, but worth investigating.
Cost, living costs all figure in. But, it depends on the field or industry you plan to enter. And if you have your goals set on one or two particular companies, it would be worth investigating their hiring practices. I worked at one famous multinational consumer products company, that only recruited from specific schools. None of these schools were Ivy League, nor were they located on the East Coast either.
So add into consideration your career goals and the companies or institutions you want to work for.
The OP has not provided their major, so it is hard to give solid advice.
I went to a state school, and of all the classes I took, only 5 or so were huge, 50+ person lectures, of which perhaps one was led by a TA.
But even disregarding that, I'd take a "good but impersonal" school over an "intimate but crappy" one any day.
We are discussing the OP's question at length and merit aid is very much a part of the final costs of these institutions.
Regardless of how things would "probably" work out, I think we can all agree that it's important to apply broadly, given that even for top students, scholarship awards can be very unpredictable. You never know when and where a champion chess player, competitive-ranked swimmer, accomplished violinist, etc. will be perceived as "needed."
Something has peeked my curiosity of late. I am currently back in school to obtain a career in a more lucrative industry. I have started at the local community college to obtain some of the prerequisites before deciding if I want to go on to pursue my bachelors degree at a four year institution.
In my immediate area we have several private schools that have excellent programs. However, no one outside of a 100 mile radius has probably ever heard of these schools. However they typically cost in the ballpark of $20-30k per year. Conversely, I could decide to attend a middle of the road state college that a good percentage of people around the country have heard of for about $10-15k per year. What would you choose?
I guess my big worry is that if I decide to relocate after finally obtaining my degree, I might be passed over because no one had ever heard of my school, despite it costing me $30,000 a year to attend.
What is your opinion on local private schools that cost an arm and a leg, yet no one has ever heard of versus a state institution that carries some name recognition?
The OP is NOT asking about merit aid. He will most likely be an adult transfer student.
Yes, it's interesting to talk about our kids and how their merit aid worked out/didn't work out but that's of no help to the OP.
In general, transfer students are not eligible for as much financial aid as freshman. While schools certainly want to make up for some attrition rate, most don't actively campaign for transfers or offer aid to lure them.
In general, transfer students are not eligible for as much financial aid as freshman. While schools certainly want to make up for some attrition rate, most don't actively campaign for transfers or offer aid to lure them.
But they are eligible for merit aid...
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