Which college is worth $90k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No college is worth $75K tuition (or $90K+ once you add room & board) but ...

it's an experience, like traveling to a foreign country, and if you have the money and don't need loans, it can be justified. However, it's not because it's the only way to be well educated.

As Matt Damon (famous dropout from Harvard) wrote and said in the movie 'Good Will Hunting':
"You dropped a hundred and fifty grand on an education you coulda' got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the public library".

The issue with this quote is that it assumes getting an education is all about reading the book. A lot, if not most, of the intellectual challenge and growth comes from interactions with peers and profs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

Controlling for inflation, what our parents paid for us to go to Ivy League schools was what we would pay for our kids to go to a Penn State level OOS flagship.

What our grandparents paid for our parents to go to those schools was what we would pay to send our kids in state.

The sacrifices you are making for your kids are far greater than the sacrifices your parents made for you. And unless they choose to step off this treadmill, the sacrifices your children will have to make for your grandchildren will be even more extreme.

+1. These things are not the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

No you don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No college is worth $75K tuition (or $90K+ once you add room & board) but ...

it's an experience, like traveling to a foreign country, and if you have the money and don't need loans, it can be justified. However, it's not because it's the only way to be well educated.

As Matt Damon (famous dropout from Harvard) wrote and said in the movie 'Good Will Hunting':
"You dropped a hundred and fifty grand on an education you coulda' got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the public library".

The issue with this quote is that it assumes getting an education is all about reading the book. A lot, if not most, of the intellectual challenge and growth comes from interactions with peers and profs.

Probably 90% of it in undergrad is reading the book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No college is worth $75K tuition (or $90K+ once you add room & board) but ...

it's an experience, like traveling to a foreign country, and if you have the money and don't need loans, it can be justified. However, it's not because it's the only way to be well educated.

As Matt Damon (famous dropout from Harvard) wrote and said in the movie 'Good Will Hunting':
"You dropped a hundred and fifty grand on an education you coulda' got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the public library".

The issue with this quote is that it assumes getting an education is all about reading the book. A lot, if not most, of the intellectual challenge and growth comes from interactions with peers and profs.

Probably 90% of it in undergrad is reading the book.

For me, probably 75% was writing the paper. Whatever it takes to grapple with the material.

[Anonymous]

Not sure how many undergrads are reading or writing anymore. Or discussing anything in class. Nowadays we have AI to do all the reading and writing, and anything you say might be recorded and go viral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

No you don’t.

I sit next to one every day at work. So yes, I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

No you don’t.

I sit next to one every day at work. So yes, I do.

I know one too. Daughter really wanted to go to a very good private (not Ivy+ but just below) that was good for what she wanted to do. Parents wouldn't even let her apply - obviously no guarantee she would have gotten in but still. Parents drive a nice BMW and high end SUV, multiple fancy vacations and expensive concerts a year, expensive clothes, plan to retire young. Daughter ended up at a SUNY and is doing fine but complains about not being challenged and just hangs out with HS acquaintances (admittedly some of that is on her).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

+1 from back in the day. My parents were middle class but just above the aid cutoff. They always told me if I got into a good enough college they would make it work. I got into HYPSM and they made it work. With help from extended family, I got private scholarships, I worked my way through college and paid for all my books, and I was an RA. My best friend in HS had to go to a state school even though she got in better because her parents could not afford it.

The poor dear! How long has she been living in the streets? Does she have access to shelter? Food banks?

lol good one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

No you don’t.

I sit next to one every day at work. So yes, I do.

I know one too. Daughter really wanted to go to a very good private (not Ivy+ but just below) that was good for what she wanted to do. Parents wouldn't even let her apply - obviously no guarantee she would have gotten in but still. Parents drive a nice BMW and high end SUV, multiple fancy vacations and expensive concerts a year, expensive clothes, plan to retire young. Daughter ended up at a SUNY and is doing fine but complains about not being challenged and just hangs out with HS acquaintances (admittedly some of that is on her).

That's all I took away from this that was relevant to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

No you don’t.

I sit next to one every day at work. So yes, I do.

So you know one, not “too many people.” Glad we cleared that up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

No you don’t.

I sit next to one every day at work. So yes, I do.

I know one too. Daughter really wanted to go to a very good private (not Ivy+ but just below) that was good for what she wanted to do. Parents wouldn't even let her apply - obviously no guarantee she would have gotten in but still. Parents drive a nice BMW and high end SUV, multiple fancy vacations and expensive concerts a year, expensive clothes, plan to retire young. Daughter ended up at a SUNY and is doing fine but complains about not being challenged and just hangs out with HS acquaintances (admittedly some of that is on her).

Honestly, it sounds like she needs to grow TF up and stop looking for excuses for her lack of motivation and agency. If she’s not being challenged at SUNY it’s because she’s not choosing appropriate classes. If she wants to go to an overpriced school she can take out some student loans to cover the difference.

Parents aren’t obligated to waste money on a completely unnecessary, indisputably overpriced education just because Larla throws a passive aggressive tantrum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

The bolded is the only statement in your post that matters. The rest is justification for pissing your money away (which, of course, you have every right to do).

And if you’re not fabulously wealthy I absolutely judge you, because you’re making a silly financial decision. But my judgment shouldn’t bother you, so no harm, no foul.

I guarantee you make plenty of spending choices that I think are silly. I can spend my money how I want to. None of your business.

And to the person who insists on comparing today to when we went to college. Learn to read. I acknowledged that the order of magnitude of my parents compromises were different as college is more expensive now. Not sure why you are obsessing over the semantics of this. Everyone here tries to be contrarian to show how smart they think they are and they just look like childish argumentative idiots.

You made it my business when you posted your diatribe on the internet. No one forced you to do that!

I already acknowledged you can spend your money how you want to. But your decision (and justification) is stupid. That’s just facts, sorry!

One of the reasons to spend the money to go to a private school is to surround your children with kids from families with similar backgrounds and values. I'm sure I will be accused of being a snob (and to some extent I probably am) but birds of a feather flock together.

I know too many people who tell their kids "sorry, you can't go to your dream school" then drive ridiculously fancy cars, wear very expensive jewelry, or whatever else. I think that is sad.

Sorry your parents didn't love you.

No you don’t.

I sit next to one every day at work. So yes, I do.

So “too many” equals one. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy to spend the money on an expensive school for my kid. I have worked really hard and made sacrifices to do this. My parents did the same thing for me and I had an incredible four years at college and made lifelong friends and professional contacts.

Yes, one can do that at a cheaper school. But if my kid decides that an expensive school is really the right place for them for good reasons, I'm spending the money. I will make sure it is the right reasons.

But this is how I prioritize my money. And I'm fortunate to have the resources to do so. Many others don't, and their priorities are different, and I 100% respect that. Not for me to judge. But don't judge me either.

Your parents didn’t do this for you, though. The cost of college has been growing much faster than inflation.

Yes they did. College was still expensive back then. Agree not like today, but I know plenty of kids who had to settle for state schools or schools that gave scholarships that they didn't really want to attend, while my parents did not limit me. I had a very nice childhood but they definitely made some choices that made it easier for them to do this.

+1 from back in the day. My parents were middle class but just above the aid cutoff. They always told me if I got into a good enough college they would make it work. I got into HYPSM and they made it work. With help from extended family, I got private scholarships, I worked my way through college and paid for all my books, and I was an RA. My best friend in HS had to go to a state school even though she got in better because her parents could not afford it.

The poor dear! How long has she been living in the streets? Does she have access to shelter? Food banks?

What is wrong with you? I responded based on someone's claim that this is a new phenomenon. It's not.

Some people just need to be unpleasant. Happy new year to you too.

[Anonymous]

I am sending my kids to overpriced private schools to avoid the ignorance and know-it-all attitude that is on display here among all the haters. You spend your money how you want to. I will spend my money how I want to.

It is a free country (at least for now - Trump is trying hard to ruin that).