Which college is worth $90k?

[Anonymous]

^ omg. UVA or any public is not worth $90k. The top 15 or so schools, yes.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has worked with some brilliant people who contribute wonderfully to society (some of which who are compensated heftily for it) and some complete incompetent wastes of space from both top and bottom schools — I tell my kids they have to make their own way on their own intellect blood sweat and tears. An extra 40-60k isn’t worth it for any family that cannot afford both it and to retire today. If you as parents aren’t that rich, it isn’t worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state UVA vs WashU? 40/50k vs 90k? These are similar ranking in the 20s I think

Both are great. If you had the money you would likely pick WashU though.

Hell no. WHY? No one has heard of Wash U! What does Wash U give you that UVA does not? UVA ranks above Wash U in every category, including UVA being the No. 1 public producer of Rhodes Scholars. My kid is at Oxford via UVA. No one at Oxford has heard of Wash U. From there he launched to Yale law school. That doesn't happen from Wash U

And to remind: Wash U is $97,995 and UVA is $40K instate. Bank the difference and you can afford to pay for grad school or a down payment for your kids.

I’m a happy Wash. U. alum. who worked at UVa. briefly.

I think that UVa., William & Mary and Va Tech are all comparable to Wash. U., both in terms of student life and in academics, and that it would be absurd for a donut hole family to pay $90,000 per year for Wash. U. instead of, say, $40,000 all in for Wash. U.

On the other hand:

- Wash. U. has very generous financial aid. The average net cost is about $23,000, compared with $18,000 per year at UVa. Even for Virginia residents who just want to go out of state for school, spending the extra $5,000 might be worth it.

- Virginia has terrific, relatively small state schools, but a lot of states (example: Missouri) don’t have state universities that are anything like Wash. U. California has much better known schools that are a lot tougher on the undergrads. So, for a donut hole family in Missouri or California, the value calculations might look a lot different than in Virginia.

- UVa. is a great school with a great reputation, but Wash. U. is a great school, too. The idea that it’s impossible to become a Rhodes scholar at Wash. U. or that it’s hard to get into Yale Law School from Wash. U. is off the mark. Here, for example, is a list of Wash. U. Rhodes scholars: https://libguides.wustl.edu/wustl-faq/rhodes And the Yale and Harvard law schools both have Wash. U. on their lists of schools that have sent them students in the past few years.

I am sure UVA is lovely, but for DC (Maryland) UVA OOS COA is $92-93K. On top of my mind, UVA and UMichigan are the two top public schools which provide very few/no merit aid for OOS. WashU, on the other hand, has a COA of $98K, but DC receives full ride tuition merit + annual stipend + guaranteed research funding , which brings down the COA to essentially just room & board $23K/year.

So tongue in cheek, DC's answer to "Which college is worth $90K" would be WashU. BTW, DC was accepted at UVA and UMichigan, zero merit aid.

This entire debate was about in-state UVA vs WashU, not OOS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have decided that state flagship is the only way to go after spending years working in higher ed (public and top 15 private).

I tend to agree but how do you reconcile the large class size or even sink or swim environment in schools like Berkeley even though it’s a world class institution?

NP. Berkeley is my kid’s in state option, and if they’re lucky enough to be admitted, they’re going!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state UVA vs WashU? 40/50k vs 90k? These are similar ranking in the 20s I think

Both are great. If you had the money you would likely pick WashU though.

Hell no. WHY? No one has heard of Wash U! What does Wash U give you that UVA does not? UVA ranks above Wash U in every category, including UVA being the No. 1 public producer of Rhodes Scholars. My kid is at Oxford via UVA. No one at Oxford has heard of Wash U. From there he launched to Yale law school. That doesn't happen from Wash U

And to remind: Wash U is $97,995 and UVA is $40K instate. Bank the difference and you can afford to pay for grad school or a down payment for your kids.

I’m a happy Wash. U. alum. who worked at UVa. briefly.

I think that UVa., William & Mary and Va Tech are all comparable to Wash. U., both in terms of student life and in academics, and that it would be absurd for a donut hole family to pay $90,000 per year for Wash. U. instead of, say, $40,000 all in for Wash. U.

On the other hand:

- Wash. U. has very generous financial aid. The average net cost is about $23,000, compared with $18,000 per year at UVa. Even for Virginia residents who just want to go out of state for school, spending the extra $5,000 might be worth it.

- Virginia has terrific, relatively small state schools, but a lot of states (example: Missouri) don’t have state universities that are anything like Wash. U. California has much better known schools that are a lot tougher on the undergrads. So, for a donut hole family in Missouri or California, the value calculations might look a lot different than in Virginia.

- UVa. is a great school with a great reputation, but Wash. U. is a great school, too. The idea that it’s impossible to become a Rhodes scholar at Wash. U. or that it’s hard to get into Yale Law School from Wash. U. is off the mark. Here, for example, is a list of Wash. U. Rhodes scholars: https://libguides.wustl.edu/wustl-faq/rhodes And the Yale and Harvard law schools both have Wash. U. on their lists of schools that have sent them students in the past few years.

I am sure UVA is lovely, but for DC (Maryland) UVA OOS COA is $92-93K. On top of my mind, UVA and UMichigan are the two top public schools which provide very few/no merit aid for OOS. WashU, on the other hand, has a COA of $98K, but DC receives full ride tuition merit + annual stipend + guaranteed research funding , which brings down the COA to essentially just room & board $23K/year.

So tongue in cheek, DC's answer to "Which college is worth $90K" would be WashU. BTW, DC was accepted at UVA and UMichigan, zero merit aid.

This entire debate was about in-state UVA vs WashU, not OOS.

Nope, the entire debate is about "Which college is worth $90k?" - duh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has worked with some brilliant people who contribute wonderfully to society (some of which who are compensated heftily for it) and some complete incompetent wastes of space from both top and bottom schools — I tell my kids they have to make their own way on their own intellect blood sweat and tears. An extra 40-60k isn’t worth it for any family that cannot afford both it and to retire today. If you as parents aren’t that rich, it isn’t worth it.

This, obviously give your kid a good start but don’t regret your choices when you have to delay retirement.

[Anonymous]

There is not a single school that is actually worth that much. If you have money to burn, more power to you, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state UVA vs WashU? 40/50k vs 90k? These are similar ranking in the 20s I think

Both are great. If you had the money you would likely pick WashU though.

Hell no. WHY? No one has heard of Wash U! What does Wash U give you that UVA does not? UVA ranks above Wash U in every category, including UVA being the No. 1 public producer of Rhodes Scholars. My kid is at Oxford via UVA. No one at Oxford has heard of Wash U. From there he launched to Yale law school. That doesn't happen from Wash U

And to remind: Wash U is $97,995 and UVA is $40K instate. Bank the difference and you can afford to pay for grad school or a down payment for your kids.

Yay, the UVA/Oxford obsessive is back to share their kid's story for the umpteenth time. I had to laugh at the claim that no one from Wash U is going to Yale Law School? Wtf? Dream on. Wash U is ranked higher than UVA - surely you know this. And NO ONE cares about Rhodes Scholars.
DP

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities?myCollege=national-universities&_sort=myCollege&_sortDirection=asc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state UVA vs WashU? 40/50k vs 90k? These are similar ranking in the 20s I think

Both are great. If you had the money you would likely pick WashU though.

Hell no. WHY? No one has heard of Wash U! What does Wash U give you that UVA does not? UVA ranks above Wash U in every category, including UVA being the No. 1 public producer of Rhodes Scholars. My kid is at Oxford via UVA. No one at Oxford has heard of Wash U. From there he launched to Yale law school. That doesn't happen from Wash U

And to remind: Wash U is $97,995 and UVA is $40K instate. Bank the difference and you can afford to pay for grad school or a down payment for your kids.

I’m a happy Wash. U. alum. who worked at UVa. briefly.

I think that UVa., William & Mary and Va Tech are all comparable to Wash. U., both in terms of student life and in academics, and that it would be absurd for a donut hole family to pay $90,000 per year for Wash. U. instead of, say, $40,000 all in for Wash. U.

On the other hand:

- Wash. U. has very generous financial aid. The average net cost is about $23,000, compared with $18,000 per year at UVa. Even for Virginia residents who just want to go out of state for school, spending the extra $5,000 might be worth it.

- Virginia has terrific, relatively small state schools, but a lot of states (example: Missouri) don’t have state universities that are anything like Wash. U. California has much better known schools that are a lot tougher on the undergrads. So, for a donut hole family in Missouri or California, the value calculations might look a lot different than in Virginia.

- UVa. is a great school with a great reputation, but Wash. U. is a great school, too. The idea that it’s impossible to become a Rhodes scholar at Wash. U. or that it’s hard to get into Yale Law School from Wash. U. is off the mark. Here, for example, is a list of Wash. U. Rhodes scholars: https://libguides.wustl.edu/wustl-faq/rhodes And the Yale and Harvard law schools both have Wash. U. on their lists of schools that have sent them students in the past few years.

Correction: I think that UVa., William & Mary and Va Tech are all comparable to Wash. U., both in terms of student life and in academics, and that it would be absurd for a donut hole family to pay $90,000 per year for Wash. U. instead of, say, $40,000 all in for Wash. U.<< UVa, William & Mary or Va Tech.

Totally agree. Great post(s).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ omg. UVA or any public is not worth $90k. The top 15 or so schools, yes.

No school, whether private or public, is worth $90k. That's just delusional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ omg. UVA or any public is not worth $90k. The top 15 or so schools, yes.

No school, whether private or public, is worth $90k. That's just delusional.

And no country club is worth the cost but people do it. People with the means spend the money to send their kids to expensive schools to be part of a club. I'm sure I will be laughed at for this but it is a fact. I agree that someone with less money probably shouldn't put themselves and their kids into deep debt when there are great cheaper options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ omg. UVA or any public is not worth $90k. The top 15 or so schools, yes.

No school, whether private or public, is worth $90k. That's just delusional.

And no country club is worth the cost but people do it. People with the means spend the money to send their kids to expensive schools to be part of a club. I'm sure I will be laughed at for this but it is a fact. I agree that someone with less money probably shouldn't put themselves and their kids into deep debt when there are great cheaper options.

I think an education that can be compared with a country club membership or a rare Hermes bag has lost its appeal.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure that MIT is worth 90K per year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ omg. UVA or any public is not worth $90k. The top 15 or so schools, yes.

No school, whether private or public, is worth $90k. That's just delusional.

I think that, for really bright, hardworking students who would be more comfortable at a small or midsize school, and who don’t have Virginia state schools as an option, schools like HYPSM, Cal Tech, Harvey Mudd, Emory, Vanderbilt and Wash. U. are worth the money for a family that could afford to send their kids there without eating into retirement savings or reducing their quality of life.

If you have a kid with the stats and activities to get into Tufts without help from a consultant, you can afford Tufts, and your kid would strongly prefer to go to Tufts rather than UMd., why would you nickel and dime your wonderful kid over college ROI calculations? Why not just send a check to Tufts and give thanks to God that you ended up with a kid who can get into Tufts and cares about getting a good education?

But, if you can’t afford Tufts, you can’t afford it. That’s life. You and your kid might need to accept that your kid will have to go to UMd., not Tufts, and try to learn to love UMd.

Tufts is well worth the money for a kid who gets enough aid or has plenty of cash, but, for a donut hole family who gets too little aid, it’s not worth selling a kidney or holding up a bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state UVA vs WashU? 40/50k vs 90k? These are similar ranking in the 20s I think

Both are great. If you had the money you would likely pick WashU though.

Hell no. WHY? No one has heard of Wash U! What does Wash U give you that UVA does not? UVA ranks above Wash U in every category, including UVA being the No. 1 public producer of Rhodes Scholars. My kid is at Oxford via UVA. No one at Oxford has heard of Wash U. From there he launched to Yale law school. That doesn't happen from Wash U

And to remind: Wash U is $97,995 and UVA is $40K instate. Bank the difference and you can afford to pay for grad school or a down payment for your kids.

I’m a happy Wash. U. alum. who worked at UVa. briefly.

I think that UVa., William & Mary and Va Tech are all comparable to Wash. U., both in terms of student life and in academics, and that it would be absurd for a donut hole family to pay $90,000 per year for Wash. U. instead of, say, $40,000 all in for Wash. U.

On the other hand:

- Wash. U. has very generous financial aid. The average net cost is about $23,000, compared with $18,000 per year at UVa. Even for Virginia residents who just want to go out of state for school, spending the extra $5,000 might be worth it.

- Virginia has terrific, relatively small state schools, but a lot of states (example: Missouri) don’t have state universities that are anything like Wash. U. California has much better known schools that are a lot tougher on the undergrads. So, for a donut hole family in Missouri or California, the value calculations might look a lot different than in Virginia.

- UVa. is a great school with a great reputation, but Wash. U. is a great school, too. The idea that it’s impossible to become a Rhodes scholar at Wash. U. or that it’s hard to get into Yale Law School from Wash. U. is off the mark. Here, for example, is a list of Wash. U. Rhodes scholars: https://libguides.wustl.edu/wustl-faq/rhodes And the Yale and Harvard law schools both have Wash. U. on their lists of schools that have sent them students in the past few years.

I am sure UVA is lovely, but for DC (Maryland) UVA OOS COA is $92-93K. On top of my mind, UVA and UMichigan are the two top public schools which provide very few/no merit aid for OOS. WashU, on the other hand, has a COA of $98K, but DC receives full ride tuition merit + annual stipend + guaranteed research funding , which brings down the COA to essentially just room & board $23K/year.

So tongue in cheek, DC's answer to "Which college is worth $90K" would be WashU. BTW, DC was accepted at UVA and UMichigan, zero merit aid.

False. UVA cost of attendance is $80-$81k for OOS. Instate is $40k. https://sfs.virginia.edu/financial-aid-new-applicants/financial-aid-basics/estimated-undergraduate-cost-attendance-2025-2026