Is it really worth the money for your child to choose a college away from home?

[Anonymous]

stay at home

hahahaha!!!

It's called growing-up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With these incredibly high college costs, is it really worth the money for your kid go somewhere other than a college/university near home?

Wouldn't you get a bigger bang for your buck by sending them to a local university and having them stay at home instead of paying the exorbitant room and board fees?

It's not like they couldn't go out with their friends at night or the weekend!

This is basically what every kid in Europe does. One day the US will catch up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With these incredibly high college costs, is it really worth the money for your kid go somewhere other than a college/university near home?

Wouldn't you get a bigger bang for your buck by sending them to a local university and having them stay at home instead of paying the exorbitant room and board fees?

It's not like they couldn't go out with their friends at night or the weekend!

This is basically what every kid in Europe does. One day the US will catch up.

Because if its what the Europeans do, it's obviously better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I plan to insist on my kids going out of state for college (we’re in Maryland, so anywhere in the state is “close” IMO). To me, part of the college experience is getting out from under your parents and starting to make your own way in the world. I also want them to get out of the DC metro bubble and meet people from other parts of the country. If we are only an hour or two away, it’s too easy for them to rely on mom and dad as plan B.

We share this view, and our older two both attend colleges far away (Texas and California). But it’s definitely a luxury situation, and we would have completely different priorities if we were financially stretched (or just prioritized saving money) given that you can get a great education virtually anywhere. I agree with others that ideally all kids would, at a minimum, be able to live on campus for at least a couple years to take full advantage of what schools offer, including deeper connections with classmates.

+1

It is important to us, and a privilege.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With these incredibly high college costs, is it really worth the money for your kid go somewhere other than a college/university near home?

Wouldn't you get a bigger bang for your buck by sending them to a local university and having them stay at home instead of paying the exorbitant room and board fees?

It's not like they couldn't go out with their friends at night or the weekend!

This is basically what every kid in Europe does. One day the US will catch up.

Well not in the UK but perhaps you are thinking post brexit.

[Anonymous]

Totally worth it if it isn’t a financial hardship. And at least for my kids the room and board was a small amount compared to tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With these incredibly high college costs, is it really worth the money for your kid go somewhere other than a college/university near home?

Wouldn't you get a bigger bang for your buck by sending them to a local university and having them stay at home instead of paying the exorbitant room and board fees?

It's not like they couldn't go out with their friends at night or the weekend!

This is basically what every kid in Europe does. One day the US will catch up.

Not sure where in Europe you're referring to but I studied in several countries over there and none of my friends lived at home during their studies.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is.
Having my college student live with us for four years sounds like a nightmare, honestly!

[Anonymous]

Any way I can get him the hell out of the house takes priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With these incredibly high college costs, is it really worth the money for your kid go somewhere other than a college/university near home?

Wouldn't you get a bigger bang for your buck by sending them to a local university and having them stay at home instead of paying the exorbitant room and board fees?

It's not like they couldn't go out with their friends at night or the weekend!

This is basically what every kid in Europe does. One day the US will catch up.

What are you talking about? European kids go and stay at college all the time - it only costs maybe 5k for the year including everything (tuition, room and board and books) but it’s not community college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes it is.
Having my college student live with us for four years sounds like a nightmare, honestly!

Unless you’re a smother mother and you can’t bear for your baby to leave the best because you’d be bored so you try to manipulate them into staying home.
We know one mom who has invented an illness for her daughter (POTS anyone? DD is not that bad off but the mom took her to doctor after doctor until she’s so whacked out on heavy prescription drugs the girl is now basically disabled) so that she would stay at home and not leave for college. We all hope that she escapes some day, but it’s not looking good.

[Anonymous]

Living away at college is a priceless experience and an important part of the transition to adulthood.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read through this thread, so this may have already been brought up, but to a degree I agree with OP. I don't think its "worth it" for normal middle class families to go out of state or pay for private for college, but moving off campus to attend a state college? Yes. Living in a dorm vs living at home with your parents and being a day student is a completely different experience.

[Anonymous]

We live in DC and our daughter goes to a DC university. We all agreed she'd live on campus her first year at least, for the new experience. It was OK but second year she decided to start living at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it is.
Having my college student live with us for four years sounds like a nightmare, honestly!

Unless you’re a smother mother and you can’t bear for your baby to leave the best because you’d be bored so you try to manipulate them into staying home.
We know one mom who has invented an illness for her daughter (POTS anyone? DD is not that bad off but the mom took her to doctor after doctor until she’s so whacked out on heavy prescription drugs the girl is now basically disabled) so that she would stay at home and not leave for college. We all hope that she escapes some day, but it’s not looking good.

POTS is not a made up illness. That being said, I hope that this young lady is getting all of the help that she needs, including psychological support that will promote independence. Please do not judge unless you have been in this family's shoes.