Looking back, do you wish your child attended the least expensive college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a lot of students who graduated from Ivies who are under employed. After graduating from the Ivies the students were working the following jobs: one as a tutor, one as an administrative asst (low level), one selling bikes in an inner city bike shop, and one working as a personal trainer.

Brown ?

[Anonymous]

My wife and I only regret by far is we did not pick the most expensive college for ourselves.

Back then was a $2,000 a year difference which seemed a fortune. A $140k difference today in 40 years will be price of new base model Chevy

[Anonymous]

Surprised that no response details a decision between attending a top 10 university versus a full merit scholarship (plus other benefits such as housing and study abroad and personal relationships/guidance from the university presidents and deans, special events and special recruiting for choice jobs and internships) in a large public university honors college.

I know several who had to decide between near full rides at large Southern public university honors colleges and top 10 universities. All expected to attend graduate/professional school after earning an undergraduate degree.

The decisions involve various factors including finances, area of study, career plans, personal preferences, and prestige. Typically, prestige is among the top 2 factors considered. The individuals with whom I am most familiar were offered designations as "fellows" in the honors colleges/programs which is a group of the best among those offered a place in the large university honors college or program. All also had two or more options among US News top 10 ranked National Universities. Surprisingly, none of the 10 or 12 students considered LACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Words from my 26 yr old niece who ended up at an instate due to cost over a private LAC where she would've had to take out a loan even though she *really* did not want to go to instate. She got a great job out of college, now close to making six figures.

"I'm so glad I went with in state and didn't have a loan. I see all my friends who went to more expensive schools struggling to pay their loans, some moving in with their parents. I have enough saved now to buy a small condo."

My niece spoke to my soon to be college freshman about college costs and loans. She convinced my DC to take the good in state option, and save your money.

“All” of her friends have undergrad loans? I doubt that.

People always spin, rationalize and frame things to make THEIR (or their kid’s) college experience sound spectacular because college is an amazing time in general, everyone loves to brag about their kids, and outside of a house, it’s the largest sum of money a family blows. And there’s face-saving when people discuss colleges deemed to be less prestigious and impersonal - nobody really enjoys admitting they had little choice but to attend the cheaper mediocre university. And of course you don’t know what you don’t know - how does someone who went to gigantic Virginia Tech or Wisconsin know what the experience would have been like at private Georgetown or Villanova? They are totally clueless.

I don’t think a large public university is some death sentence for undergrad but if elite and even somewhat selective privates were so overrated and a waste of money they’d all be out of business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a lot of students who graduated from Ivies who are under employed. After graduating from the Ivies the students were working the following jobs: one as a tutor, one as an administrative asst (low level), one selling bikes in an inner city bike shop, and one working as a personal trainer.

These sound like fake outdated tropes. The coddled and lazy Ivy Leaguers versus the hungry and over-prepared public U strivers. Most of the young Ivy graduates we know have dubious work from home and hybrid “tech” (and “marketing”) jobs, all making $75,000 to $200,000 a year. WFH is a game-changer for even the privileged workshy.

[Anonymous]

Ds will be attending his least expensive option - OOS flagship with merit - but it's also the best fit. So we were lucky. I must say that I breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing he won't be taking out loans. He also was quite aware of loans and didn't want to be stuck with the burden of loans after college so would have made an economically feasible choice regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College professor here. Your undergrad degree in 90 percent of careers means nothing. Save your money now and get the most prestigious masters/doctorate/law/nursing/business degree you can get into.

Understood, but do kids from better-ranked schools do better in the graduate school admission process? What do graduate schools look for in applicants?

I got into Ivy grad from a CTCL (I hear the shuddering starting). Graduated Phi Beta Kappa, had great teacher recs, and had some impressive one of a kind work experiences in the international arena. GPA and test scores really matter - so do the best one can! - and the rest helps grease it.

This is the legitimate answer. Of course it is possible but it takes a lot of hustle and success. You have to be at the top and stand out. Which frankly no one can count on (at any school).

But it's definately easier to standout at a smaller school that's known for it's teaching and having professors involved in helping students. Much more challenging to be a star at a state school with 25K+ undergrads. It's also easier to be a standout at a school where your kid is Top 5-10%, not a T25 school where everyone is "very smart"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as you do very well at your undergraduate school, it doesn't matter where you go. Top graduate schools will be fighting over you.

--law prof at top 10 law school

+1000

GPA, LSAT (or MCAT) and recommendations are what matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the child of parents who told their kid to go to whatever college she wanted/best college regardless of cost who ended up footing the substantial bill in the end (my loans + my parents loans), tell your kid to pick something affordable. Did I enjoy my college experience? Yes. It was great going to a small prestigious LAC. Did I pay off all of the debt? Yes. But did it hamper me financially and career wise as a young adult? Yes. Absolutely.

My kids will be told a budget. They will be told the consequences of exceeding that budget and they will be strongly guided toward making a financially smart decision. If I had gotten such advice from my parents, I would have made a very different decision.

+1. Could have written this almost word for word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Words from my 26 yr old niece who ended up at an instate due to cost over a private LAC where she would've had to take out a loan even though she *really* did not want to go to instate. She got a great job out of college, now close to making six figures.

"I'm so glad I went with in state and didn't have a loan. I see all my friends who went to more expensive schools struggling to pay their loans, some moving in with their parents. I have enough saved now to buy a small condo."

My niece spoke to my soon to be college freshman about college costs and loans. She convinced my DC to take the good in state option, and save your money.

“All” of her friends have undergrad loans? I doubt that.

People always spin, rationalize and frame things to make THEIR (or their kid’s) college experience sound spectacular because college is an amazing time in general, everyone loves to brag about their kids, and outside of a house, it’s the largest sum of money a family blows. And there’s face-saving when people discuss colleges deemed to be less prestigious and impersonal - nobody really enjoys admitting they had little choice but to attend the cheaper mediocre university. And of course you don’t know what you don’t know - how does someone who went to gigantic Virginia Tech or Wisconsin know what the experience would have been like at private Georgetown or Villanova? They are totally clueless.

I don’t think a large public university is some death sentence for undergrad but if elite and even somewhat selective privates were so overrated and a waste of money they’d all be out of business.

While not a "waste of money", these elite/T20 schools are NOT worth going into debt for. So if you have the money saved and can attend "debt free" then yes, they are great opportunities and there is a lot to be said about a smaller school. But in reality, what you do once you are at college matters 1000x more than where you go. So save the money, join the honors college at your state U and graduate debt free.

[Anonymous]

No. I'm happy they attended one they were enthusiastic about. I don't think, income wise it was that important but I get, cheaper commuter college would've killed their spirit.

[Anonymous]

What I find odd is how much parents on here think of college as trade school. College was such an important coming of age time in my life. I am so glad I went where I went and met my dearest friends. If my parents had just been focused on ROI I think it would have taken a lot away from it. I did well enough, went to la good aw school, and have had a successful life, but it was never totally about that. I hope my teenagers find a place where they can connect with friends, faculty, and the whole thing, and learn and grow as people. I am not obsessed with the ROI equation.

Did the parents on here have fun in college?

I went to a top public before anyone chimes in with how I am just a product of privilege.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I find odd is how much parents on here think of college as trade school. College was such an important coming of age time in my life. I am so glad I went where I went and met my dearest friends. If my parents had just been focused on ROI I think it would have taken a lot away from it. I did well enough, went to la good aw school, and have had a successful life, but it was never totally about that. I hope my teenagers find a place where they can connect with friends, faculty, and the whole thing, and learn and grow as people. I am not obsessed with the ROI equation.

Did the parents on here have fun in college?

I went to a top public before anyone chimes in with how I am just a product of privilege.

The thing is, you can get this is so, so many places so having a budget for college does not also preclude growing as a person and finding your people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I find odd is how much parents on here think of college as trade school. College was such an important coming of age time in my life. I am so glad I went where I went and met my dearest friends. If my parents had just been focused on ROI I think it would have taken a lot away from it. I did well enough, went to la good aw school, and have had a successful life, but it was never totally about that. I hope my teenagers find a place where they can connect with friends, faculty, and the whole thing, and learn and grow as people. I am not obsessed with the ROI equation.

Did the parents on here have fun in college?

I went to a top public before anyone chimes in with how I am just a product of privilege.

Undergraduate degrees are ultimately meaningless. You can connect with people wherever you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find odd is how much parents on here think of college as trade school. College was such an important coming of age time in my life. I am so glad I went where I went and met my dearest friends. If my parents had just been focused on ROI I think it would have taken a lot away from it. I did well enough, went to la good aw school, and have had a successful life, but it was never totally about that. I hope my teenagers find a place where they can connect with friends, faculty, and the whole thing, and learn and grow as people. I am not obsessed with the ROI equation.

Did the parents on here have fun in college?

I went to a top public before anyone chimes in with how I am just a product of privilege.

Undergraduate degrees are ultimately meaningless. You can connect with people wherever you go.

Undergrad degrees are not meaningless. However, it does not really matter where you go. Go where you fit the best and can afford without debt and be happy. A kid will do 1000x better at a place they want to be/is a fit for them. It's what they do while they are at school that matters and I'd argue a kid will "connect better" if they are in the right place (which is different than the top ranked school they could get into many times)