Arizona, Wisconsin or Loyola (Chicago)?

[Anonymous]

Your thoughts? Merit aid for AZ and Loyola. FA $10000, merit aid for AZ and Loyola (20G and 30G).

[Anonymous]

What are the actual costs of attendance for you at each school?

[Anonymous]

Major?

[Anonymous]

Wisconsin 45K/year, AZ 20K/year, Loyola 12K/year. Physics major.

[Anonymous]

Which Loyola?

[Anonymous]

I'm a huge Wisconsin fan (although not *that one*), but I can't see paying an extra $100K (over four years) to go there instead of Arizona for physics. Arizona's physics department is really strong and Tucson is a fine town. Some people even prefer its weather to Madison's.

I don't know enough about any of the Loyolas to weigh in on that option.

[Anonymous]

This list rated AZ as the #4 physics undergrad program in the US: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/rankings/top-ranked/

They have WI as #12.

So given that plus the cost difference id pick AZ. I wouldn’t consider Loyola as it’s less of a name brand school and I don’t think Chicago is a good college town really. I’d rather be in Tucson or Madison for undergrad.

[Anonymous]

Wisco is by far the best school.
Arizona has by far the best weather.
Loyola is giving you by far the best price.

Which of these factors is most important to you and your kid? That's the one you choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wisco is by far the best school.
Arizona has by far the best weather.
Loyola is giving you by far the best price.

Which of these factors is most important to you and your kid? That's the one you choose.

Wisconsin is the best school overall but not the best physics program. Physics is the intended major and AZ has the best physics program of the 3.

[Anonymous]

Definitely not Arizona.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This list rated AZ as the #4 physics undergrad program in the US: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/rankings/top-ranked/

They have WI as #12.

So given that plus the cost difference id pick AZ. I wouldn’t consider Loyola as it’s less of a name brand school and I don’t think Chicago is a good college town really. I’d rather be in Tucson or Madison for undergrad.

No, according to the link you shared, for undergraduate physics degrees, Wisconsin is 6 and Arizona is 11.

I don’t think that difference matters but it should be corrected. Sounds like OPs kid has two great choices. I don’t think Loyola should be under consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This list rated AZ as the #4 physics undergrad program in the US: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/rankings/top-ranked/

They have WI as #12.

So given that plus the cost difference id pick AZ. I wouldn’t consider Loyola as it’s less of a name brand school and I don’t think Chicago is a good college town really. I’d rather be in Tucson or Madison for undergrad.

No, according to the link you shared, for undergraduate physics degrees, Wisconsin is 6 and Arizona is 11.

I don’t think that difference matters but it should be corrected. Sounds like OPs kid has two great choices. I don’t think Loyola should be under consideration.

https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/rankings/top-ranked/bachelors-degrees/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This list rated AZ as the #4 physics undergrad program in the US: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/rankings/top-ranked/

They have WI as #12.

So given that plus the cost difference id pick AZ. I wouldn’t consider Loyola as it’s less of a name brand school and I don’t think Chicago is a good college town really. I’d rather be in Tucson or Madison for undergrad.

No, according to the link you shared, for undergraduate physics degrees, Wisconsin is 6 and Arizona is 11.

I don’t think that difference matters but it should be corrected. Sounds like OPs kid has two great choices. I don’t think Loyola should be under consideration.

You’re right. I didn’t click the “best bachelors degree” link so was looking at best universities for physics overall. However, I would guess many if not most kids who major in physics will also attend grad school?

[Anonymous]

What's the kid like? Besides major, do they have any preferences about school size or location? Any hobbies orc clubs they'd like to pursue? How are they feeling about college in general? I know kids who are thriving at all 3, though I wouldn't discount the schools that gave you discounts

[Anonymous]

Also, besides the total costs of each school, what's the parental attitude towards or ability to comfortably pay tuition and other fees? Sometimes the parents have preferences too