University of Miami with Merit money vs. UVA

[Anonymous]

OP here. OOS for UVA is about $65,000. Going to Miami will cost us about $42,000 a year so over the difference is about 85,000 total over 4 years. This would pay for at least one year of professional graduate school. At this time law school or business school are possibilities but no one can ever predict what career tracks kids take and whether they end up at grad school or not. Undergrad major would not be in any STEM related subjects. More like English or Economics.

And DS is very grateful for the 529. We are the ones that told him he needed to make the decision based on what he finds to be the best fit and not only base it on an overall lower cost for us.
For all the snarky commentators, we're happy that he is looking at academic rigor and rankings of both schools to make his decision because otherwise no one would turn down the campus and lifestyle at Miami.

[Anonymous]

Depending on where you live, with flights and other stuff, it may not be that huge of a difference. Look at overall cost. Its a price difference but I'm not sure I would push one school over the other. I though you meant $20K for Miami. I would pick UVA for medicine, law or business but English or economics I'd pick Miami.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. OOS for UVA is about $65,000. Going to Miami will cost us about $42,000 a year so over the difference is about 85,000 total over 4 years. This would pay for at least one year of professional graduate school. At this time law school or business school are possibilities but no one can ever predict what career tracks kids take and whether they end up at grad school or not. Undergrad major would not be in any STEM related subjects. More like English or Economics.

And DS is very grateful for the 529. We are the ones that told him he needed to make the decision based on what he finds to be the best fit and not only base it on an overall lower cost for us.
For all the snarky commentators, we're happy that he is looking at academic rigor and rankings of both schools to make his decision because otherwise no one would turn down the campus and lifestyle at Miami.

Easy one OP. Miami all the way. Save you $ for later.

[Anonymous]

American has 10 nonstop flights a day DCA to MIA. Coral Gables is 20 minutes from the airport.

[Anonymous]

Miami - no question.

Do you understand that he could finish grad school with almost no debt. That is amazing for both your own retirement and his future. It is an amazing school. UVA is great yes, but not for almost 90K out of pocket more. The schools aren’t that far off each other in rankings. He can ace U and go to Harvard grad.

[Anonymous]

I think the only people who think UVA is a big deal are people in the DMV. Outside of this area, no one prefer UVA over Miami.

[Anonymous]

Take the merit money! No question!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. OOS for UVA is about $65,000. Going to Miami will cost us about $42,000 a year so over the difference is about 85,000 total over 4 years. This would pay for at least one year of professional graduate school. At this time law school or business school are possibilities but no one can ever predict what career tracks kids take and whether they end up at grad school or not. Undergrad major would not be in any STEM related subjects. More like English or Economics.

And DS is very grateful for the 529. We are the ones that told him he needed to make the decision based on what he finds to be the best fit and not only base it on an overall lower cost for us.
For all the snarky commentators, we're happy that he is looking at academic rigor and rankings of both schools to make his decision because otherwise no one would turn down the campus and lifestyle at Miami.

We are in the same position more or less. We said "the difference is money we can spend on your education, be it now at your first choice, or along the way. this is money you won't have for underpaid internships, an extra semester if you double major, grad school...."

Mazel Tov. Either way you win. UVA is ridiculously expensive.

[Anonymous]

Totally different kids go to both school so he should make his decision after visiting both admitted student days. Also consider location.

[Anonymous]

Just some hand holding here. When the decision is entirely his he will work hard to prove it was the right one. It is his first big adult decision. It is wonderful that you are in the position that either is ok. Too often this is the very moment when it's more comfortable to slide back into the child role and look to Mom & Dad for the answer. You have no crystal ball. It's a hard lesson, that this is all on them. The lesson is more important than choosing one vs another.

[Anonymous]

OP here. OOS for UVA is about $65,000. Going to Miami will cost us about $42,000 a year so over the difference is about 85,000 total over 4 years. This would pay for at least one year of professional graduate school. At this time law school or business school are possibilities but no one can ever predict what career tracks kids take and whether they end up at grad school or not. Undergrad major would not be in any STEM related subjects. More like English or Economics.

And DS is very grateful for the 529. We are the ones that told him he needed to make the decision based on what he finds to be the best fit and not only base it on an overall lower cost for us.

For all the snarky commentators, we're happy that he is looking at academic rigor and rankings of both schools to make his decision because otherwise no one would turn down the campus and lifestyle at Miami.

That's really wonderful of you. Maybe he will have a stronger opinion if he can make return visits?

And the troll saying UVA is unknown outside of Virginia and that no one would pick UVA over Miami needs to take a break and let this kid figure things out for himself.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a troll pp. I said UVA is not really regarded as a big deal outside of the DMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the only people who think UVA is a big deal are people in the DMV. Outside of this area, no one prefer UVA over Miami.

this!!! This board is great for so many things but it has some blind spots and UVA is one of them. It's a great school no doubt but not what people here thinks it is (or even what us rankings show).

[Anonymous]

OP, I would probably consider UVA if only in-state. In your situation, Miami would be my choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only people who think UVA is a big deal are people in the DMV. Outside of this area, no one prefer UVA over Miami.

this!!! This board is great for so many things but it has some blind spots and UVA is one of them. It's a great school no doubt but not what people here thinks it is (or even what us rankings show).

The difference in views on UVA largely come down to the difference to go there in-state v. OOS. If you live in Virginia and can send your kid to the 25th ranked US university for $16k per year in tuition -- no wonder they think it is a wonderful school because at that price it is an amazing value.

If you live in DC or MD and UVA will set you back $47,000 in tuition -- well then UVA is no better than other similarly ranked and similarly expensive schools. Totally different value perspective compared to the VA residents.