Should I go to college in Los Angeles? (San Diego, Long Beach: how much, house)

[townrater]

I'm a junior in north-eastern NJ now, so I'm used to the high cost of living. I hate living here, it's cold & many people are rude. I haven't been to California, but have read so much online. I'm going to visit sometime before I apply (fall), but I don't know when yet. I've been looking at USC Los Angeles & Los Angeles Valley College. I want to get a Master's in Social Work.

My parent is worried it'll be too expensive, and far. I'm planning to work & study in college. I know in-state is cheaper, but NJ colleges are still very expensive. I don't know anyone out there except for one friend, and she lives in San Fransisco, not LA. My boyfriend says he would come. We definitely want to live there after college. We've been together almost a year & a half, but still, anything could happen.

My second choice area is Miami. I was looking at CUNY Hunter in NYC, but I've heard they're having financial problems.

Please comment experiences/advice.

[bruhms]

you'd have to pay over 200 dollars per unit for schools in the los angeles community college district since you're not a resident.

[Vic Romano]

I can't say which colleges excel in social work, but there are certainly plenty of colleges here to choose from:

University of Southern California
University of California (Los Angeles, Irvine, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara)
California State University (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fullerton, San Bernardino, Northridge)
California Polytechnic (Pomona)
San Diego State
Pepperdine
Loyola Marymount
Chapman University

There are many others, but those come to mind off the top of my head...

[StreetLegal]

USC has one of the best social work programs in the nation from what I have heard. It is also expensive as hell. Have no idea how someone makes that equation work other than someone on full scholarship or from a rich family. Agreed that New Jersey sucks and the people are rude.

[Big-Bucks]

Nothing wrong with a JC for general ed courses. Save some money.
USC is in a crap neighborhood.

[townrater]

Originally Posted by Vic Romano

I can't say which colleges excel in social work, but there are certainly plenty of colleges here to choose from:

University of Southern California
University of California (Los Angeles, Irvine, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara)
California State University (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fullerton, San Bernardino, Northridge)
California Polytechnic (Pomona)
San Diego State
Pepperdine
Loyola Marymount
Chapman University

There are many others, but those come to mind off the top of my head...

Thank you! Cal State is actually the one I was looking at, not USC.

[townrater]

Originally Posted by StreetLegal

USC has one of the best social work programs in the nation from what I have heard. It is also expensive as hell. Have no idea how someone makes that equation work other than someone on full scholarship or from a rich family. Agreed that New Jersey sucks and the people are rude.

I just looked up USC prices, I can't believe how much it is! The one I was looking at is actually Cal State Los Angeles. I thought they were the same.

[townrater]

Originally Posted by townrater

I'm a junior in north-eastern NJ now, so I'm used to the high cost of living. I hate living here, it's cold & many people are rude. I haven't been to California, but have read so much online. I'm going to visit sometime before I apply (fall), but I don't know when yet. I've been looking at USC Los Angeles & Los Angeles Valley College. I want to get a Master's in Social Work.

My parent is worried it'll be too expensive, and far. I'm planning to work & study in college. I know in-state is cheaper, but NJ colleges are still very expensive. I don't know anyone out there except for one friend, and she lives in San Fransisco, not LA. My boyfriend says he would come. We definitely want to live there after college. We've been together almost a year & a half, but still, anything could happen.

My second choice area is Miami. I was looking at CUNY Hunter in NYC, but I've heard they're having financial problems.

Please comment experiences/advice.

Originally Posted by Big-Bucks

Nothing wrong with a JC for general ed courses. Save some money.
USC is in a crap neighborhood.

I've heard that before. I actually was looking at Cal State Los Angeles, I got them mixed up.

[theraven24]

USC is not in a crap neighborhood.

Be prepared to pony up the cash for USC. A friend of mine just came from an open house at USC for the social work grad program...$120,000 for two years.

I suggest going to a JC in New Jersey, then transferring.

[StreetLegal]

Originally Posted by theraven24

Be prepared to pony up the cash for USC. A friend of mine just came from an open house at USC for the social work grad program...$120,000 for two years.
.

That is nuts, unless Social Workers make a lot more money than I realize...