Are We Crazy for Questioning a $250k US Degree and looking abroad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Unfortunately neither kid wants to stay in-state."

I mean, you realize that most kids just have to get over this and go in state? Your kids sound spoiled.

Agree. Boo hoo for them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son just started at a UK top 10 university to study History its going to cost us $72k total over 3 yrs and then he will do a 1 year law conversion which will cost us local rates because we are also UK citizens,

No it won’t, unless you lie. Brit here and it’s very clear that you pay overseas rates if you are not a UK resident regardless of your nationality.

Citizenship is not relevant. It is where you are resident that determines whether you pay home or international fees. If you haven’t resided in the UK for the previous three years then you pay international fees (unless you are overseas on a government posting, etc or you successfully lie).

That’s literally what I just said!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I don’t understand the logic. If you don’t want to spend 250k on a US college you don’t have to. Go in state (UTA UVA Michigan UNC are all great schools for prime students) or Get merit at a T100 school.

The majority of the people I see posting on DCUM with kids going abroad are prestige hunters whose kids didn’t have the grades and stats to get into the T20/30. So off to St Andrews they go. So mommy can drop a name.

From what I see it’s not about quality of education at all. If it was y’all would be hyping up Durham and Warwick. But instead it’s the same 3 UK schools (I don’t begrudge Oxbridge btw that’s legit). But LSE as a psych major? Please.

I dont get this board's fixable/hatred of St Andrews when again and again, it's top 5 in UK, in a dreamy little corner with sky high student satisfaction numbers. You dont begrudge Oxbridge because "that's legit". St Andrew's is legit and so is LSE.

MY kids are in the US, but cmon...

I know you think so. Because the rankings say so. But St Andrews is like Northeastern. I said what I said.

Is Northeastern a top ranked school now? I actually have nothing against Northeastern either. We toured it. Kids want co-ops! I get it.

Northeastern is an average school that has convinced a small subset of people that it is better than it is. But really IYKYK. And same with St Andrews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one will admit it here- or very few- but most American colleges, or at least the ones discussed here- are grossly overpriced. We keep buying in because we’re too scared not to

I mean yes, if you are too good to send your kid to a SUNY and insist on Northeastern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you go to a random European university instead of a state college in your state? Make it make sense.

In state doesn't always have the major one wants.

DC is looking at oos or private.

We ran the numbers going oos/private vs to the UK. The most expensive UK uni we looked at ends up being like $200K with travel to/fro. The ones we think DC will like will be around $175K, all in. They are looking at a sandwich program where you take a year out in industry. You do pay tuition, but at a much reduced rate, and you get paid for the internship. Even though you do have to find the internship yourself, the uni career center does help out. But, rather than just the 10 week summer internship, you are looking at more like 20+ weeks.

Plus, DC wants out of MD , and I can't blame them.

We have family in the UK, and I think DC would really like it there, and so would I. I just got back from the UK, and not having ever to think about a possible shooting while there was such a relief.

My other kid is in state, and they have active shooter alerts. The first time they sent out a test alert, DC got nervous and wasn't sure what was going on.

It is incredibly sad that we think this is a normal way to live.

Please what major does UMD not have that they can only get at Durham University? Also I’m not sure why *paying* to work for free for a year is considered a plus. stay home, go to UMD, and then get an actual paying job.

I'm not going to state what the major is because then you'd make some ignorant comment about that major. But the tuition for that sandwich year is tiny. I'd be happy to pay that tiny amount for the experience and pay that DC would get.

But, it's true, in state colleges don't always have the major one wants.

DC will absolutely hate 1000% going in state. Plus, the UK's culture is much more aligned to DC's interests.

Sure, ok.

you're very ignorant. UMD does not have every major out there. It's a great school. My DC is there, but it's not all encompassing. That's why it's part of the Academic Common Market, but even then, not all majors are listed there.

I feel sorry for you that your mind is so small.

BTW, I am very practical and somewhat frugal. But, there are pros to going abroad for college, especially with the cost of college these days.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/college-applications-europe-uk-asia-jump-amid-rising-costs-political-turmoil/#:~:text=Data%20collected%20by%20the%20International,year%20their%20numbers%20were%20available.

And they aren't all going to Oxbridge or LSE.

He said from November 2024 through July 2025, website visits went from 600,990 to 1,534,929 and strategy calls went from 2,215 to 29,373 in the same period.

American student applications to the United Kingdom rose 14% this year, according to UCAS, the UK's shared admissions service for higher education. This was the largest increase since UCAS started collecting the data in 2006.

lol no, you are not a bit “practical and frugal” if you would send your kid to a UK college instead of UMD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you go to a random European university instead of a state college in your state? Make it make sense.

In state doesn't always have the major one wants.

DC is looking at oos or private.

We ran the numbers going oos/private vs to the UK. The most expensive UK uni we looked at ends up being like $200K with travel to/fro. The ones we think DC will like will be around $175K, all in. They are looking at a sandwich program where you take a year out in industry. You do pay tuition, but at a much reduced rate, and you get paid for the internship. Even though you do have to find the internship yourself, the uni career center does help out. But, rather than just the 10 week summer internship, you are looking at more like 20+ weeks.

Plus, DC wants out of MD , and I can't blame them.

We have family in the UK, and I think DC would really like it there, and so would I. I just got back from the UK, and not having ever to think about a possible shooting while there was such a relief.

My other kid is in state, and they have active shooter alerts. The first time they sent out a test alert, DC got nervous and wasn't sure what was going on.

It is incredibly sad that we think this is a normal way to live.

Please what major does UMD not have that they can only get at Durham University? Also I’m not sure why *paying* to work for free for a year is considered a plus. stay home, go to UMD, and then get an actual paying job.

NP actually in the UK when you go an internship, your tuition fees are reduced to really what it costs them to do the paperwork. when PP said much reduced, you should read that as really MUCH reduced. Maybe 1k a year..

Meanwhile, in the US, colleges charge kids full tuition prices for their junior year abroad, when those kids are enrolled in colleges that cost 5-15k a year. What a ripoff!

But you’re still taking a year out of what should be your education to work for free/reduced salary. That doesn’t sound like a serious take on higher education. It sounds like a way for companies to get cheap temporary labor, and universities to reduce their costs.

Are you trying to be obtuse? The students are being paid. It’s not free labor. Additionally, I’d argue that having an entire year of internship in one place is very valuable education and provides potentially excellent recommendas and networking opportunities.

Internships are for failsons. Strive to have your kid prepared to find a paying job at normal market rates after graduating with an excellent education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you go to a random European university instead of a state college in your state? Make it make sense.

In state doesn't always have the major one wants.

DC is looking at oos or private.

We ran the numbers going oos/private vs to the UK. The most expensive UK uni we looked at ends up being like $200K with travel to/fro. The ones we think DC will like will be around $175K, all in. They are looking at a sandwich program where you take a year out in industry. You do pay tuition, but at a much reduced rate, and you get paid for the internship. Even though you do have to find the internship yourself, the uni career center does help out. But, rather than just the 10 week summer internship, you are looking at more like 20+ weeks.

Plus, DC wants out of MD , and I can't blame them.

We have family in the UK, and I think DC would really like it there, and so would I. I just got back from the UK, and not having ever to think about a possible shooting while there was such a relief.

My other kid is in state, and they have active shooter alerts. The first time they sent out a test alert, DC got nervous and wasn't sure what was going on.

It is incredibly sad that we think this is a normal way to live.

Please what major does UMD not have that they can only get at Durham University? Also I’m not sure why *paying* to work for free for a year is considered a plus. stay home, go to UMD, and then get an actual paying job.

I'm not going to state what the major is because then you'd make some ignorant comment about that major. But the tuition for that sandwich year is tiny. I'd be happy to pay that tiny amount for the experience and pay that DC would get.

But, it's true, in state colleges don't always have the major one wants.

DC will absolutely hate 1000% going in state. Plus, the UK's culture is much more aligned to DC's interests.

Sure, ok.

you're very ignorant. UMD does not have every major out there. It's a great school. My DC is there, but it's not all encompassing. That's why it's part of the Academic Common Market, but even then, not all majors are listed there.

I feel sorry for you that your mind is so small.

BTW, I am very practical and somewhat frugal. But, there are pros to going abroad for college, especially with the cost of college these days.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/college-applications-europe-uk-asia-jump-amid-rising-costs-political-turmoil/#:~:text=Data%20collected%20by%20the%20International,year%20their%20numbers%20were%20available.

And they aren't all going to Oxbridge or LSE.

He said from November 2024 through July 2025, website visits went from 600,990 to 1,534,929 and strategy calls went from 2,215 to 29,373 in the same period.

American student applications to the United Kingdom rose 14% this year, according to UCAS, the UK's shared admissions service for higher education. This was the largest increase since UCAS started collecting the data in 2006.

lol no, you are not a bit “practical and frugal” if you would send your kid to a UK college instead of UMD.

UK unis are cheaper than in state here, as it's for 3 years of studying the intended major rather than 2 years of gened then 2 yrs of intended major. So, yes, it is practical and frugal.

And I have one kid at UMD with some merit.

You still have a small mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you go to a random European university instead of a state college in your state? Make it make sense.

In state doesn't always have the major one wants.

DC is looking at oos or private.

We ran the numbers going oos/private vs to the UK. The most expensive UK uni we looked at ends up being like $200K with travel to/fro. The ones we think DC will like will be around $175K, all in. They are looking at a sandwich program where you take a year out in industry. You do pay tuition, but at a much reduced rate, and you get paid for the internship. Even though you do have to find the internship yourself, the uni career center does help out. But, rather than just the 10 week summer internship, you are looking at more like 20+ weeks.

Plus, DC wants out of MD , and I can't blame them.

We have family in the UK, and I think DC would really like it there, and so would I. I just got back from the UK, and not having ever to think about a possible shooting while there was such a relief.

My other kid is in state, and they have active shooter alerts. The first time they sent out a test alert, DC got nervous and wasn't sure what was going on.

It is incredibly sad that we think this is a normal way to live.

Please what major does UMD not have that they can only get at Durham University? Also I’m not sure why *paying* to work for free for a year is considered a plus. stay home, go to UMD, and then get an actual paying job.

NP actually in the UK when you go an internship, your tuition fees are reduced to really what it costs them to do the paperwork. when PP said much reduced, you should read that as really MUCH reduced. Maybe 1k a year..

Meanwhile, in the US, colleges charge kids full tuition prices for their junior year abroad, when those kids are enrolled in colleges that cost 5-15k a year. What a ripoff!

But you’re still taking a year out of what should be your education to work for free/reduced salary. That doesn’t sound like a serious take on higher education. It sounds like a way for companies to get cheap temporary labor, and universities to reduce their costs.

Are you trying to be obtuse? The students are being paid. It’s not free labor. Additionally, I’d argue that having an entire year of internship in one place is very valuable education and provides potentially excellent recommendas and networking opportunities.

Internships are for failsons. Strive to have your kid prepared to find a paying job at normal market rates after graduating with an excellent education.

don't know what that means, but my CS/math major kid has had two internships so far in the US, one paid $40/hour.

Now a days, most employers want to see some internship work experience in the field. Internship application season is crazy. DC said they are starting now for a summer internship, and many are applying to 100+ to get one or two interviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one will admit it here- or very few- but most American colleges, or at least the ones discussed here- are grossly overpriced. We keep buying in because we’re too scared not to

It's because they are all private (which is what I think you are referring with "ones discussed here")...and all the international schools are all public.

Basically, you can make the same argument about our healthcare costs.

Both are true.

We are being scammed in the US, both for college and healthcare costs.

[Anonymous]

I dont think they ever have unpaid internships anymore! The best internships pay 30k a summer!

Anywho - for full pay families, like ours, it's T10 or getting creative. UK and Canada are def on the radar for our younger kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son just started at a UK top 10 university to study History its going to cost us $72k total over 3 yrs and then he will do a 1 year law conversion which will cost us local rates because we are also UK citizens,

No it won’t, unless you lie. Brit here and it’s very clear that you pay overseas rates if you are not a UK resident regardless of your nationality.

Citizenship is not relevant. It is where you are resident that determines whether you pay home or international fees. If you haven’t resided in the UK for the previous three years then you pay international fees (unless you are overseas on a government posting, etc or you successfully lie).

That’s literally what I just said!

Dear lord. The $72K IS INTERNATIONAL RATES. BECAUSE WE RESIDED IN THE US WHEN HE APPLIED

such utter morons here sometimes.

The UK rate is 9500 pounds / year tutition plus whatever room and board costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Unfortunately neither kid wants to stay in-state."

I mean, you realize that most kids just have to get over this and go in state? Your kids sound spoiled.

+1. Parents need to drive this … it’s their money

+1

You as a parent set the limit for what you can afford. They cannot take more than $5.5K/year (~$27K for the 4 year total) without a parental/adult co-signer. And you set these expectations early, as in by sophmore/junior year so they don't fall in love with schools you will never be able to afford

Oh my god. Are you people BLIND???? Or just pretending to be..OP posted twice already that MONEY IS NOT THE ISSUE, only a variable to consider. They never said they don’t have money do this. You people need to find other things to do…

Why are you in a rage over how people are responding? Maybe YOU need something else to do? Or take your meds? Money IS the issue. Just read her subject line. It doesn’t mean she can’t pay for alternative options. But it IS the topic of the conversation.

I’m the OP. Clearly the thread went a different direction than my original intent. Money is not the issue. I’m just trying to rationalize this before it is too late since my kids will be applying soon. One of the variables was cost. My kids are not going to our state university. So please stop talking about it. If your knew where we lived your would know why.

W are perfectly ok paying full ride on a private if we had to, but me, personally (not my husband) is using the money as a variable to help me get through the idea of having my kids go overseas. This is by no means the only or biggest variable. It is just a variable. Not sure if my kid will get a lot of merit aid from a Private. Too early to tell. We just want to be prepared.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I don’t understand the logic. If you don’t want to spend 250k on a US college you don’t have to. Go in state (UTA UVA Michigan UNC are all great schools for prime students) or Get merit at a T100 school.

The majority of the people I see posting on DCUM with kids going abroad are prestige hunters whose kids didn’t have the grades and stats to get into the T20/30. So off to St Andrews they go. So mommy can drop a name.

From what I see it’s not about quality of education at all. If it was y’all would be hyping up Durham and Warwick. But instead it’s the same 3 UK schools (I don’t begrudge Oxbridge btw that’s legit). But LSE as a psych major? Please.

I dont get this board's fixable/hatred of St Andrews when again and again, it's top 5 in UK, in a dreamy little corner with sky high student satisfaction numbers. You dont begrudge Oxbridge because "that's legit". St Andrew's is legit and so is LSE.

MY kids are in the US, but cmon...

I know you think so. Because the rankings say so. But St Andrews is like Northeastern. I said what I said.

Is Northeastern a top ranked school now? I actually have nothing against Northeastern either. We toured it. Kids want co-ops! I get it.

Northeastern is an average school that has convinced a small subset of people that it is better than it is. But really IYKYK. And same with St Andrews.

St Andrews didnt have to convince anybody but the same 3 UK rankings that focus on undergraduate education have them ranked in the TOP 5 in the UK for more than 10 years straight. You might not like it. DC STA hater Mom might not like it. But why should we listen to a bunch a whinny women from the greater DC talk about St Andrews….you are irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always laugh ALL the hiring moms we have on this board. Who apparently do all their hiring based on name of college. LOL.

That's not how it works in 2025, ladies!

Here again. I’m one of the early posters here. In charge of hiring for a Fortune 20. And you are just wrong. I’m sorry.
You can believe whatever you want. But we do place unofficial limits. We wont recruit anywhere outside of the top30-40. As simple as that.
And yet, we do recruit at the top 15 UK universities (sometimes t20 depending on what ranking you look at).


It is what it is. I dont make the rules here. Quite frankly this is how it has been here for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Back to the OP's questions .... my DC just started at Trinity College Dublin so I can't address your questions about employability after graduation. I admit to that being a worry in the back of my head, but I also think it is highly likely DC will go to graduate school, which will have more impact on their post-graduation job prospects. So far TCD seems to be a great choice for DC, who is making friends, joining "societies" and other activities, and digging into classes, which just started this week.

While money was a consideration for us, DC received terrific merit from several US schools, so they didn't make their decision based on cost (total cost of attendance was pretty close to equal across three of their top four choices). They ultimately decided they wanted the experience of going to a school in another country, not just for study abroad but for the full degree. And they appreciated that the academic experience focuses on their "course," with a couple of electives thrown in, rather than the broad degree requirements of many US schools (DC is thrilled they do not need to take math or science in college).

The logistics are a consideration but so far have been manageable. DC has their interview for a student residency permit in a couple of weeks and then they should have all of that behind them. The housing situation in Dublin is tough and I imagine could also be challenging in other international cities. Fortunately DC is in university-owned housing this year, but they are unlikely to get that again next year. Finally, the academic experience is more self-directed -- I think DC will handle this better than I would have as a college student, but I think it will still be an adjustment as they work through the term.

Finally, your kid doesn't need to choose right now -- they can apply both within the US and internationally, and see what options they have and where they most want to go in the spring. DC had decided against applying to Trinity, then changed their mind last November after the election, and it ultimately rose to the top of their list.