College Costs - ridiculously high

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:not necessarily

we are in VA and have basically narrowed down to 2 schools here. they will PROBABLY come out cheapest in the end, but not by much.

Also looking at:
-a PA state school in that large system that has very reasonable tuition even for OOS and even better if your kid has a 3.0 or above. they come within $5K per year of VA schools
-a NJ state school that offers a tuition break to OOS students with a 3.0 or above. Same as above price wise
-a couple privates with merit awards that will bring the price to within a few thousand per year of the VA publics.

Some schools aren't as transparent with the costs and scholarships available. So, I also have a RI state school, a NC state school, an IL state school, a NY state school, a NC private and a VA private on our list that aren't CRAZY expensive to start, but we'd definitely need scholarship money and the info isn't 100% clear at the moment. Based on what I've HEARD about these schools, I think they will be similar to the above.

I have looked very closely at all of these schools for the specific program offered AND the costs.

There are a couple other schools I have recently removed from the list for various reasons that were state schools in other states (MA, OH, WI and NM) offering discounts to OOS students with a certain GPA level.

Would you be willing to share the schools you're looking at? It sounds like many of us are in the same boat!

OK, I will share, but remember, I am looking for a dance program for a kid who is NOT the best student:

VA in state options: Radford and ODU
PA public: Slippery Rock
NJ public: Stockton
Privates with good aid listed on website: Rider (NJ) and Springfield (MA)

RI public: Rhode island College
NC public: UNC-Greensboro
NC private: Meredith (women's college)
NY public: SUNY-Fredonia
IL public: Illinois State
VA private: Shenandoah

Forgot about a random NH public that is a possibility: Plymouth State

Schools I have removed for various reasons: Akron (OH), Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Univ of New Mexico and Bridgewater State (MA).

If you want to look west, a couple of the Cal State campuses are pretty reasonable. There was a very random one that I ran the numbers past a CA friend of mine and she was very surprised at how "cheap" it was. It was what used to be Humboldt State (just changed to a CalPoly campus). There was a CO public that has breaks for oos students above 2.5 - CO Mesa (I am not going to pursue that one because it is VERY remote and also has a reputation for being crazy conservative and has problems with LGBTQ and minority hate speech)

Frostburg and Salisbury in MD both have tuition discount programs within a certain mileage radius

I am fully aware this list is very, very strange to most.

GMU has a nice dance program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:not necessarily

we are in VA and have basically narrowed down to 2 schools here. they will PROBABLY come out cheapest in the end, but not by much.

Also looking at:
-a PA state school in that large system that has very reasonable tuition even for OOS and even better if your kid has a 3.0 or above. they come within $5K per year of VA schools
-a NJ state school that offers a tuition break to OOS students with a 3.0 or above. Same as above price wise
-a couple privates with merit awards that will bring the price to within a few thousand per year of the VA publics.

Some schools aren't as transparent with the costs and scholarships available. So, I also have a RI state school, a NC state school, an IL state school, a NY state school, a NC private and a VA private on our list that aren't CRAZY expensive to start, but we'd definitely need scholarship money and the info isn't 100% clear at the moment. Based on what I've HEARD about these schools, I think they will be similar to the above.

I have looked very closely at all of these schools for the specific program offered AND the costs.

There are a couple other schools I have recently removed from the list for various reasons that were state schools in other states (MA, OH, WI and NM) offering discounts to OOS students with a certain GPA level.

Would you be willing to share the schools you're looking at? It sounds like many of us are in the same boat!

OK, I will share, but remember, I am looking for a dance program for a kid who is NOT the best student:

VA in state options: Radford and ODU
PA public: Slippery Rock
NJ public: Stockton
Privates with good aid listed on website: Rider (NJ) and Springfield (MA)

RI public: Rhode island College
NC public: UNC-Greensboro
NC private: Meredith (women's college)
NY public: SUNY-Fredonia
IL public: Illinois State
VA private: Shenandoah

Forgot about a random NH public that is a possibility: Plymouth State

Schools I have removed for various reasons: Akron (OH), Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Univ of New Mexico and Bridgewater State (MA).

If you want to look west, a couple of the Cal State campuses are pretty reasonable. There was a very random one that I ran the numbers past a CA friend of mine and she was very surprised at how "cheap" it was. It was what used to be Humboldt State (just changed to a CalPoly campus). There was a CO public that has breaks for oos students above 2.5 - CO Mesa (I am not going to pursue that one because it is VERY remote and also has a reputation for being crazy conservative and has problems with LGBTQ and minority hate speech)

Frostburg and Salisbury in MD both have tuition discount programs within a certain mileage radius

I am fully aware this list is very, very strange to most.

Check on whether or not an OOS can get into a Cal State (not talking about the UC system). My info is stale but when we looked into Cal State Fullerton because it had an animation program that fed into Disney, the AO told my DH that it would be near impossible for a Virginian to get in. The Csl States were for Californians. There is also a strict residency program for use of their community colleges. But check that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some OOS publics offer generous aid that will bring the costs down to in-state. Check out Miami U in OH.

There are also specific scholarships at certain universities like National Merit scholarships or for students with equivalent standardized test scores and/or GPAs that may bring tuition down to in-state, cover tuition, or cover tuition + room & board. In past years, schools like Alabama and ASU had programs like this, though this may have changed somewhat.

The OP made clear that she/he was talking about "an average student." Such a student would most definitely NOT qualify for a National Merit scholarship or any other kind of scholarship that requires high academic achievement/test scores.

Why would a NMS kids want to go to Alabama/ASU to save money instead of instate flagship

[Anonymous]

My neighbor chose between West Va and Univ of Az (for engineering) for $22,000 COA per year. Didn't get into VaTech or UVA.

[Anonymous]

U of Utah students can qualify for instate tuition in the second year. As a result, the school doesn’t give out much merit aid OOS for Freshmen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not VCU ...it's big on the arts?

And a 3.0 student gets in.

For the arts, your portfolio/audition is what gets you in. Grades are a nice extra

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:not necessarily

we are in VA and have basically narrowed down to 2 schools here. they will PROBABLY come out cheapest in the end, but not by much.

Also looking at:
-a PA state school in that large system that has very reasonable tuition even for OOS and even better if your kid has a 3.0 or above. they come within $5K per year of VA schools
-a NJ state school that offers a tuition break to OOS students with a 3.0 or above. Same as above price wise
-a couple privates with merit awards that will bring the price to within a few thousand per year of the VA publics.

Some schools aren't as transparent with the costs and scholarships available. So, I also have a RI state school, a NC state school, an IL state school, a NY state school, a NC private and a VA private on our list that aren't CRAZY expensive to start, but we'd definitely need scholarship money and the info isn't 100% clear at the moment. Based on what I've HEARD about these schools, I think they will be similar to the above.

I have looked very closely at all of these schools for the specific program offered AND the costs.

There are a couple other schools I have recently removed from the list for various reasons that were state schools in other states (MA, OH, WI and NM) offering discounts to OOS students with a certain GPA level.

Would you be willing to share the schools you're looking at? It sounds like many of us are in the same boat!

OK, I will share, but remember, I am looking for a dance program for a kid who is NOT the best student:

VA in state options: Radford and ODU
PA public: Slippery Rock
NJ public: Stockton
Privates with good aid listed on website: Rider (NJ) and Springfield (MA)

RI public: Rhode island College
NC public: UNC-Greensboro
NC private: Meredith (women's college)
NY public: SUNY-Fredonia
IL public: Illinois State
VA private: Shenandoah

Forgot about a random NH public that is a possibility: Plymouth State

Schools I have removed for various reasons: Akron (OH), Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Univ of New Mexico and Bridgewater State (MA).

If you want to look west, a couple of the Cal State campuses are pretty reasonable. There was a very random one that I ran the numbers past a CA friend of mine and she was very surprised at how "cheap" it was. It was what used to be Humboldt State (just changed to a CalPoly campus). There was a CO public that has breaks for oos students above 2.5 - CO Mesa (I am not going to pursue that one because it is VERY remote and also has a reputation for being crazy conservative and has problems with LGBTQ and minority hate speech)

Frostburg and Salisbury in MD both have tuition discount programs within a certain mileage radius

I am fully aware this list is very, very strange to most.

This is the PP who asked if you’d be willing to share your list - thank you! This is very helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some OOS publics offer generous aid that will bring the costs down to in-state. Check out Miami U in OH.

There are also specific scholarships at certain universities like National Merit scholarships or for students with equivalent standardized test scores and/or GPAs that may bring tuition down to in-state, cover tuition, or cover tuition + room & board. In past years, schools like Alabama and ASU had programs like this, though this may have changed somewhat.

The OP made clear that she/he was talking about "an average student." Such a student would most definitely NOT qualify for a National Merit scholarship or any other kind of scholarship that requires high academic achievement/test scores.

Why would a NMS kids want to go to Alabama/ASU to save money instead of instate flagship

Because Alabama/ASU may cost less than the instate flagship and provide a great education. It's not complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'm late to the party ... I'm now finding college costs for the average student is pretty much the advertised price, particularly for OOS publics. The SLACs do offer merit but even if they offer $20K, then final price tags is still > $50K.

Is in-state pretty much the only option for those that don't qualify for the free money part of financial aid?

OP there is nothing and I truly mean nothing wrong with state schools.

Or Community college first to cut costs. This board is disingenuous in this area.

Many people hock their wares put themselves in debt for an out of state school or a SLAC dumber than dumb.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am aware of the dance programs at GMU and VCU.

They are a different type of degree than she wants AND they are very proud of how many out of state dancers they bring in.

She won’t get into GMU or JMU with her grades. We MIGHT look at VCU anyway, but she has already been to Radford and ODU and really liked both. Radford honestly probably has the right mix of classes that she wants vs most other programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not VCU ...it's big on the arts?

And a 3.0 student gets in.

For the arts, your portfolio/audition is what gets you in. Grades are a nice extra

Not always. You have to be both academically AND artistically accepted at most. Now, for people the artistic major really wants, they may be able to make some academic exceptions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:not necessarily

we are in VA and have basically narrowed down to 2 schools here. they will PROBABLY come out cheapest in the end, but not by much.

Also looking at:
-a PA state school in that large system that has very reasonable tuition even for OOS and even better if your kid has a 3.0 or above. they come within $5K per year of VA schools
-a NJ state school that offers a tuition break to OOS students with a 3.0 or above. Same as above price wise
-a couple privates with merit awards that will bring the price to within a few thousand per year of the VA publics.

Some schools aren't as transparent with the costs and scholarships available. So, I also have a RI state school, a NC state school, an IL state school, a NY state school, a NC private and a VA private on our list that aren't CRAZY expensive to start, but we'd definitely need scholarship money and the info isn't 100% clear at the moment. Based on what I've HEARD about these schools, I think they will be similar to the above.

I have looked very closely at all of these schools for the specific program offered AND the costs.

There are a couple other schools I have recently removed from the list for various reasons that were state schools in other states (MA, OH, WI and NM) offering discounts to OOS students with a certain GPA level.

Would you be willing to share the schools you're looking at? It sounds like many of us are in the same boat!

OK, I will share, but remember, I am looking for a dance program for a kid who is NOT the best student:

VA in state options: Radford and ODU
PA public: Slippery Rock
NJ public: Stockton
Privates with good aid listed on website: Rider (NJ) and Springfield (MA)

RI public: Rhode island College
NC public: UNC-Greensboro
NC private: Meredith (women's college)
NY public: SUNY-Fredonia
IL public: Illinois State
VA private: Shenandoah

Forgot about a random NH public that is a possibility: Plymouth State

Schools I have removed for various reasons: Akron (OH), Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Univ of New Mexico and Bridgewater State (MA).

If you want to look west, a couple of the Cal State campuses are pretty reasonable. There was a very random one that I ran the numbers past a CA friend of mine and she was very surprised at how "cheap" it was. It was what used to be Humboldt State (just changed to a CalPoly campus). There was a CO public that has breaks for oos students above 2.5 - CO Mesa (I am not going to pursue that one because it is VERY remote and also has a reputation for being crazy conservative and has problems with LGBTQ and minority hate speech)

Frostburg and Salisbury in MD both have tuition discount programs within a certain mileage radius

I am fully aware this list is very, very strange to most.

This is the PP who asked if you’d be willing to share your list - thank you! This is very helpful!

NP: I grew up near Stockton and remember when it was brand-new. That school has grown significantly over the years, including with its new AC campus. It has some nice programs and would be an interesting place to spend four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'm late to the party ... I'm now finding college costs for the average student is pretty much the advertised price, particularly for OOS publics. The SLACs do offer merit but even if they offer $20K, then final price tags is still > $50K.

Is in-state pretty much the only option for those that don't qualify for the free money part of financial aid?

OP there is nothing and I truly mean nothing wrong with state schools.

Or Community college first to cut costs. This board is disingenuous in this area.

Many people hock their wares put themselves in debt for an out of state school or a SLAC dumber than dumb.

+100 IME, with one student now in college and a rising senior who has spent a lot of time running cost calculators, it is pretty doable to find private SLACs or OOS schools that can get the cost down to the $30k-$40k range but if you need to get below $30k, the main options are lower cost in-state schools or do 2 yrs CC and transfer to the more expensive in-state.

My son is at VT for about $26k per year. He also had acceptances at some OOS schools that gave merit to put them in the $30-$40k range. DD's favorites on her list right now are a few SLACs that look to end up in the low $30s after merit. Her lowest-cost option will likely be UMW in the low $20s after merit. But she's also applying to W&M which I think is an unlikely reach and close to 40k plus a couple other SLACs that are less predictable in final price but she knows the only work if they meet the budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:not necessarily

we are in VA and have basically narrowed down to 2 schools here. they will PROBABLY come out cheapest in the end, but not by much.

Also looking at:
-a PA state school in that large system that has very reasonable tuition even for OOS and even better if your kid has a 3.0 or above. they come within $5K per year of VA schools
-a NJ state school that offers a tuition break to OOS students with a 3.0 or above. Same as above price wise
-a couple privates with merit awards that will bring the price to within a few thousand per year of the VA publics.

Some schools aren't as transparent with the costs and scholarships available. So, I also have a RI state school, a NC state school, an IL state school, a NY state school, a NC private and a VA private on our list that aren't CRAZY expensive to start, but we'd definitely need scholarship money and the info isn't 100% clear at the moment. Based on what I've HEARD about these schools, I think they will be similar to the above.

I have looked very closely at all of these schools for the specific program offered AND the costs.

There are a couple other schools I have recently removed from the list for various reasons that were state schools in other states (MA, OH, WI and NM) offering discounts to OOS students with a certain GPA level.

Would you be willing to share the schools you're looking at? It sounds like many of us are in the same boat!

OK, I will share, but remember, I am looking for a dance program for a kid who is NOT the best student:

VA in state options: Radford and ODU
PA public: Slippery Rock
NJ public: Stockton
Privates with good aid listed on website: Rider (NJ) and Springfield (MA)

RI public: Rhode island College
NC public: UNC-Greensboro
NC private: Meredith (women's college)
NY public: SUNY-Fredonia
IL public: Illinois State
VA private: Shenandoah

Forgot about a random NH public that is a possibility: Plymouth State

Schools I have removed for various reasons: Akron (OH), Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Univ of New Mexico and Bridgewater State (MA).

If you want to look west, a couple of the Cal State campuses are pretty reasonable. There was a very random one that I ran the numbers past a CA friend of mine and she was very surprised at how "cheap" it was. It was what used to be Humboldt State (just changed to a CalPoly campus). There was a CO public that has breaks for oos students above 2.5 - CO Mesa (I am not going to pursue that one because it is VERY remote and also has a reputation for being crazy conservative and has problems with LGBTQ and minority hate speech)

Frostburg and Salisbury in MD both have tuition discount programs within a certain mileage radius

I am fully aware this list is very, very strange to most.

This is the PP who asked if you’d be willing to share your list - thank you! This is very helpful!

NP: I grew up near Stockton and remember when it was brand-new. That school has grown significantly over the years, including with its new AC campus. It has some nice programs and would be an interesting place to spend four years.

I’m the poster who listed it-we’re going up to visit in the fall for a special dance day. My daughter is a rising junior, so we’re going to try to take advantage of as many of these events as we can.

I think it seems like a nice, low key place. And the ability to get to easily or even live on the beach doesn’t suck

[Anonymous]

Don’t go and see how that works out.