Why pay $90K for a less competitive private vs. far less $$ for a less competitive public?

[Anonymous]

If you're considering this, can you help me understand your thinking?
Rising senior twins here and we're trying to hammer out lists.

Why pay $90K for Syracuse or Bucknell vs. paying half this for Pitt or Penn State?

[Anonymous]

Bucknell is competitive and sends a ton of grads to The Street -- way more than Pitt or Penn State on a parentage basis. Syracuse also has some competitive programs like Newhouse (though I'm not sure I'd recommend journalism as a career in 2024).

[Anonymous]

Like anything else, this depends, in part, on your personal financial situation.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't pay 90k for Syracuse.... I would for Bucknell.... but if Pitt was a better fit go with that. I'd let my kid make the choice. Full pay family

[Anonymous]

I think it would depend on the major, location, and special connections the school has with certain industries. For example, GW vs UMD. If kid wants to major in international relations and wants internships at State Dept or other federal agencies, I might pay for GW (but would love it if kid got scholarship so I don’t need to pay full price). If they wanted to major in something like math or computer science, I wouldn’t be willing to pay the larger price tag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't pay 90k for Syracuse.... I would for Bucknell.... but if Pitt was a better fit go with that. I'd let my kid make the choice. Full pay family

This! It all depends on the kids, what they want to study, what they want to do afterwards. Mainly the answer is fit.

one kid wanted a niche program at a smaller school so we went to a liberal arts private. The other kid majored in computer science, and wanted a big engineering program. They didn’t care about competition or rank and just wanted a big rah rah school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bucknell is competitive and sends a ton of grads to The Street -- way more than Pitt or Penn State on a parentage basis. Syracuse also has some competitive programs like Newhouse (though I'm not sure I'd recommend journalism as a career in 2024).

I don't think so.
Penn State business school is better than Bucknell.

[Anonymous]

Some people just have money to burn

[Anonymous]

Because my child struggled through high school with COVID and I believe they will have a better experience and long-term out with the private they will be attending

[Anonymous]

Because the $45k is not significant to them, and it doesn’t come into play when making the decision. Kind of obvious, no?

[Anonymous]

I fell in love with Sewanee at the same time as DC. Basically signed the check as quick as possible and have no regrets. It's a beautiful place and small environment for learning that my child will thrive in. I'd prefer that for her than a large place she feels she'll drown in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because the $45k is not significant to them, and it doesn’t come into play when making the decision. Kind of obvious, no?

I’m someone who may make a choice like this - more like choosing between Towson and Wooster or something. Our HHI is $225k, so the difference is significant. But also…you can’t take it with you, you know? I’d rather spend the money on my kid’s college of choice than on house repairs, a new car, or vacations. Our retirement is planned with 4 years at an expensive college baked in. We’ll be able to retire in our late 60’s with enough. We’ve decided “more than enough” isn’t important to us.

[Anonymous]

My BFF's daughter is at Syracuse. She wanted to play a Div 1 sport, and was able to do so there on a great team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because the $45k is not significant to them, and it doesn’t come into play when making the decision. Kind of obvious, no?

I’m someone who may make a choice like this - more like choosing between Towson and Wooster or something. Our HHI is $225k, so the difference is significant. But also…you can’t take it with you, you know? I’d rather spend the money on my kid’s college of choice than on house repairs, a new car, or vacations. Our retirement is planned with 4 years at an expensive college baked in. We’ll be able to retire in our late 60’s with enough. We’ve decided “more than enough” isn’t important to us.

Wooster doesn't seem that much nicer than Townson to make the transaction. Townson isn't that large and will likely net your kid more opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're considering this, can you help me understand your thinking?
Rising senior twins here and we're trying to hammer out lists.

Why pay $90K for Syracuse or Bucknell vs. paying half this for Pitt or Penn State?

I said no to $90K Williams and to full merit to a state flagship. Its about personal preference, money matters to us as donut holes but we are in for a good value not freebies nor prestige driven hardship. Instead went for a top 20 at half merit, making it best value for us.