What Schools are Worth Paying For Over UVA In-State Tuition?

[Anonymous]

Our kid had Emory and Vanderbilt and she chose to go to UVA and keep her 529 for grad school. Her call and we are glad she did what she did. Her 529 is fully funded for 4 years of private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A recent transfer student to UVA told us that it is like High School 2.0. For a student that wants a different more diverse more evolved experience there are a LOT of schools that are worth it. Especially if money isn’t a factor.

And here come the predictable UVA naysayers. OP there are many here on this board who hate UVA for some reason. Ignore them.

My kid is at UVA from NOVA and never sees any of the 10 kids from his class that go to UVA. It’s far from HS 2.0 but I suppose if a kid makes it so and doesn’t branch out from who they already know, that’s on them.

To answer your question though I think it’s totally program/major dependent and if the kid hates UVA for whatever reason, don’t force them.

The list of schools is short upon which to prefer over in-state UVA. Both of my kids went to schools on that "list". The first went to Michigan on full tuition ride (Shipman Scholar). Just too lucrative and even prestigious to pass up. The second went to Princeton - although even that was a close call over an Echols scholar offer (not money, but the resources that come with that program). I was from a poor single mother home and long promised my kids they could go wherever they wanted, with money being no factor (no debt for them or me). My wife and I both went to Duke and both kids got in - I think UVa in-state would have made more sense but again I promised the kids that college was their choice and about their future. Not sure if this was the best thing in the long run but I just didn't want any replication of my desperate experience.

My twin brother started out his career as an Econ prof at UVA in the 80's. Teaches adjunct today at a well regarded school in Florida although has a long career in investments and finance. UVA is not in any way high school 2.0. My brother was not pleased about the influence of the Greek system when he taught Econ and in the School of Commerce. He is still close with the department, however, and they tell him the quality of undergrads has improved over the years. My niece did graduate from UVA engineering, and it is indeed more concept oriented that the engineering offered at VA Tech, for example. This doesn't impact the school in terms of quality but it does remind that its culture is different from other institutions. It is very difficult to turn down UVa from a value perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ivies or geographically preferable/desirable schools like Georgetown or Northeastern

I think you meant Northwestern?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of factors come into play: how many kids do you have (and can you afford tuition for all of them), what type of career is your son aiming for (and on the same note does your son plan on going to grad school), what type of college experience is your son hoping for (and does UVA have a much different vibe/experience than what your son wants) etc. From a pure job prospects, potential connections, and general recognition perspective your safest bets would probably be Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Princeton, Duke, UPenn, Yale, Columbia, and Caltech. After that I think it becomes a much more difficult discussion.

+1 There are maybe ~10 schools in the entire country that should really be considered over UVA for middle class and upper-middle class families. Otherwise the difference just isn't worth it given how strong UVA already is. If you have money to blow that's different, then it's really the whole "luxury good" argument and you can spend your discretionary money how you wish; but if you do that, don't kid yourself into thinking that it's objectively much better for your DS. UVA has top departments and a great alumni network already. Even for those top of the totem pole colleges that PP mentioned, I get that it might "sound better" for your DS to say the went to Harvard or Duke, but he can get wherever he wants from UVA as well. Good luck and I hope your son gets into UVA OP!

Good school, but not typically with top departments.

[Anonymous]

What NOVA school only sends 10 kids?

[Anonymous]

Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford - for the reputation but not the education.

MIT and Caltech for the education.

Otherwise, in state for my kids.

[Anonymous]

I would pay for an experience that UVA cannot provide--so, for me, as a parent and as a professor, that could mean several things:
1) A competitive college in a geographic region distinctly different. For example, a competitive college in CA, whether in the UC system, Stanford, or a SLAC like Pomona. The University of Chicago, Northwestern, or Michigan in the Midwest. Maybe NYC or Boston. I would not choose a school in the upper south, like Duke or UNC over UVA.
2) A major that is clearly stronger at another institution. Engineering would be one of them. Or a special program like an BA/MD where you are automatically accepted into a medical school with your acceptance into undergrad.
3) A competitive college that provides significant merit aid. You can use the 529 for grad school.

I think that there is a lot to be said for going away for college. However, UVA is an outstanding option for in-state higher ed. I would lean heavily towards UVA with few exceptions, noted above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What NOVA school only sends 10 kids?

Out in Loudoun county

[Anonymous]

Very few.

[Anonymous]

DS is seriously considering direct admit to CS at UMD. Received merit so it's like $45k v $41k (UVA).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is seriously considering direct admit to CS at UMD. Received merit so it's like $45k v $41k (UVA).

good for him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they want engineering, Purdue out of state is about the same as instate UVA.

Yes. Purdue is very affordable, even out of state. Purdue’s engineering program is the 9th best in the country. UVA is 37th. Purdue would be the easy choice.

[Anonymous]

Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Wharton are no-brainers to me even with extra cost.

You could make a case for Yale, Duke, Caltech, Columbia, Dartmouth

[Anonymous]

I would also make the case for Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, and Pomona. It is hard to replicate that level of high caliber intensity at most colleges.

[Anonymous]

This is such a bizarre thread. I attended UNC from out of state and didn’t apply to UVA. My kid had no interest in applying to UVA, nor, as far as I know, did any of his friends. It’s a great school, and a good value in state, but it’s not for everyone. The assumption that it should be is just bizarre to me. I certainly wouldn’t expect most kids to have any interest in the tiny LAC my kid attends.