Is Penn State worth $300K?

[Anonymous]

DC got in. Really wants to go, but it will be around $300K all in oos, summer start and with differential tuition as a science major. Penn State tuition goes up by 4% every year.

They also got into GMU oos, which is also good for that particular major. GMU gave DC a lot of merit aid, which brings COA down to like $40K/year, so $165Kish total.

We are all very torn. Obviously Penn State is the better school overall, but is it really worth $300K for undergrad?

[Anonymous]

Save the difference of $135,000 for grad school or a future down payment on a home.

[Anonymous]

No, no it isn’t.

Signed,
Penn State Alum

[Anonymous]

NO

[Anonymous]

OP, what is your instate option?

[Anonymous]

No absolutely no it is not worth it.

Use it for grad school or living expenses if after college it is hard to find a job.

Given the economy now no way I would do Penn State at that cost and we can afford full pay.

Financially dumb.

[Anonymous]

No way.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

I disagree. My daughter is a junior and the research opportunities are endless (chem major). She had 2 summer abroad programs fully covered by the school and has developed great relationships with her professors she is in the honors college and most of her senior friends have been attending many job fairs and already have jobs lined up. The alumni network is pretty impressive. Would she have had the same luck elsewhere? Maybe aome because she’s motivated but the opportunities she has had has been well worth the cost. Plus she is having a lot of fun!

[Anonymous]

God no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. My daughter is a junior and the research opportunities are endless (chem major). She had 2 summer abroad programs fully covered by the school and has developed great relationships with her professors she is in the honors college and most of her senior friends have been attending many job fairs and already have jobs lined up. The alumni network is pretty impressive. Would she have had the same luck elsewhere? Maybe aome because she’s motivated but the opportunities she has had has been well worth the cost. Plus she is having a lot of fun!

{Not OP}

Do it have a football team ?

[Anonymous]

GMU out of state is also a terrible idea regardless of cost

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GMU out of state is also a terrible idea regardless of cost

not if its engineering or computer science

[Anonymous]

When we moved to northern VA, I was shocked (as a lifelong VA resident) how many parents were willing to pay OOS or private tuition. It was extremely uncommon in the Richmond suburb I lived in not to pick a state school.

[Anonymous]

you need to check the gpa requirement to keep that scholarship at George mason because it would be a mistake to pay OOS at GMU

where do you live? what about your in state options?