Are We Crazy for Questioning a $250k US Degree and looking abroad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I realize this is an old, reactivated thread, but anyone who thinks it is always cheaper overseas should check online before jumping in. St. Andres is now $66,000 a year for international students, so $264K (not including airfare) and Oxford is now $81,765 pounds, so x 3 years. A better option is to do state flagship for undergrad and grad overseas.

First of all NOBODY here (just ready the whole thread) insisted or said that it is “ always cheaper overseas “. You are the first one that said that.

Clearly you are you quite grasping the point being made here by a lot of people. The avg kid going to St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK or Europe is NOT the same kid that is forgoing their state flagship to do so. Please…..different universes…..these kids are kids that likely going to be full pay at T100 US privates. Don’t be naive.

Po is correctly responding to OP’s claims: “the pros are still massive. The most obvious is the cost, which is just staggering. We're talking about the potential to get a degree for a price that's less than a single year at some private US colleges. The math is pretty compelling: with many EU public universities having tuition at a fraction of US schools, the savings are life-changing. Specially if you are able to invest that savings on behalf of your kids for when they graduate.”

And there is nothing wrong with OP claims…even at this exchange rate, it is still true. A place like Exeter at 24k Pounds x 3 years (73k pounds) is still less than $100k dollars..and you get your degree…..

PP cherry-picked two schools to make a point (with one being a 4-yr degree) and even then. Still cheaper that ANY top 100 Private full pay uni in the US. As a PP mentioned, there very little IF ANY crossover between in state flagship uni applicants and kids who go abroad….noen of these kids are making these decisions (maybe. Tiny percentage). I have had 3 kids study in the UK from California. None of them had friends that made decisions to attend their UK school that were forgoing a State Flagship to do so. Different crowds….whether you like it or not.

And you are cherry picking as well. That is tuition ONLY for Exeter accounting, the cheapest tuition as you know, because you went to this list and picked it. However, we all can see that Exeter fees can go as high as $38k+ pounds a year plus then you have to tack on accommodations, fees, books, travel, etc, which is a separate Exeter tab altogether. Others here are providing he sensible “all-in” fee. You do sound like a cantankerous nutter who has to fight about everything. Just stop or go take a drink. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees/

Not at all. My kids are in humanities and business. SO that is what I focus on. The vast majority of these are under 25k pounds. You are not medicine there, so if STEM you will be at 30k pounds. Even with room and board and the fact it is 3 years you are still MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than ANY US Private school full pay.

Tuition only

Argue all you want. Show me on Private US university in the top 100 that is equivalent in total pricing for a degree to a school like Exeter or Warwick or Bristol or Durham ?? You wont be able to because it doesnt exist.

Top privates in US give generous aid. Yale for example waves tuition for all families making under 200k. Similarly ranked privates are need based and comparably generous.

A family making >200k a year should have saved money for their kids college, so it won’t be a major drag on family finances. But if money is the main concern then well regarded state flagships will be cheaper and arguably better.

UK universities are public schools, it’s silly to flat out reject the comparison with public US colleges and only compare with privates.

This doesn't answer the PP's question. Just because a family making 200K+ a year, should be capable of paying 90k/year in tuition, according to your opinion, doesn't mean they want to do so, if cheaper comparable opportunities abroad exist.

The decision on what college to attend depends first on getting in, cost, available money, educational quality, career opportunities and many other factors.

If you’re looking at cheaper comparable (comparable to what?) opportunities abroad than also look at cheaper comparable opportunities in state. When this is brought up, the UK cheerleaders are nope, you can’t do that, only US private full pay vs UK is an allowed comparison, which is both silly and pointless.

+1. It’s so weird how dug in some people are getting about this. If you care this much about costs then you care about costs, plain and simple, and you have options domestically too. Even OOS publics can save money in many cases for a full pay family.

Part of this is that there are a lot of private school families here where going abroad is about saving face/bragging to the other private school parents when the T20 door closes, rather than the money itself (or, god forbid, the actual academic programming and opportunities). The cognitive dissonance kicks in when people mention going to a public school because, no, couldn’t possibly consider that idea, imagine telling Sara’s mom that’s what we’re doing, why would you suggest such a thing?

100% agree. A lot of these UK universities posters are chasing prestige at deep discounts. The kid can’t make it to top 20 in US, and/or they don’t have money saved for college.

Then they are checking the sales rack in search of a good deal, after all Cambridge, Oxford are on the same level as Top 20. But the chances of getting in after T20 rejection are inexistent.

Next they go down the list to Leeds, Essex and Aberdeen, prestige is in short supply, but a least they clam to be savvy shoppers because they saved on cost. Never mind that costs are not exactly rock bottom and the savings are $10-20k a year at best. And that’s at the cost of being in another country, doing internships overseas if even allowed, building a network in another country etc. If the intent is to return to US after graduation, that’s not ideal, and in my view it’s not worth the savings.

Its better to go to a solid state school, aim for Top 20 in grad school if that’s your thing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a kid and a parent that sends their kid to the UK if they dont get in to a Top 20 or so and end up at Durham, UCL, Kings, St Andrews instead….is that a problem? I dont think so.

+1

Some kids are adventurous, and would be better served by being a pioneer at a 2nd tier UK school or an EU university than by going to their state flagship (along with half their high school friends).

Vive la difference!

Yes, but that’s different than claiming that you are choosing based on cost and then flipping out when someone suggests a flagship and claiming that no one would do that.

+1. And arguing endlessly about it long after everyone else has left the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my relatives turned down a T20 school that didn't give much financial aid and went to a Canadian university instead. Not everyone wants to spend 90K/year on college.

My kid is turning down USC, full pay for UCL or St Andrews…he needs to decide soon.

What major?

[Anonymous]

Now with the euro at 1.2 usd, it’s not so cheap. The difference is that Europe is 3 years, so there is a year less. But can’t see how it would be less than 30K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now with the euro at 1.2 usd, it’s not so cheap. The difference is that Europe is 3 years, so there is a year less. But can’t see how it would be less than 30K.

Ps. Unless student has dual citizenship, then yes, it would be cheaper cause they would pay EU or UK or Canadian rates. With US citizenship and difference between national and international rates, it goes up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I realize this is an old, reactivated thread, but anyone who thinks it is always cheaper overseas should check online before jumping in. St. Andres is now $66,000 a year for international students, so $264K (not including airfare) and Oxford is now $81,765 pounds, so x 3 years. A better option is to do state flagship for undergrad and grad overseas.

First of all NOBODY here (just ready the whole thread) insisted or said that it is “ always cheaper overseas “. You are the first one that said that.

Clearly you are you quite grasping the point being made here by a lot of people. The avg kid going to St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK or Europe is NOT the same kid that is forgoing their state flagship to do so. Please…..different universes…..these kids are kids that likely going to be full pay at T100 US privates. Don’t be naive.

Po is correctly responding to OP’s claims: “the pros are still massive. The most obvious is the cost, which is just staggering. We're talking about the potential to get a degree for a price that's less than a single year at some private US colleges. The math is pretty compelling: with many EU public universities having tuition at a fraction of US schools, the savings are life-changing. Specially if you are able to invest that savings on behalf of your kids for when they graduate.”

And there is nothing wrong with OP claims…even at this exchange rate, it is still true. A place like Exeter at 24k Pounds x 3 years (73k pounds) is still less than $100k dollars..and you get your degree…..

PP cherry-picked two schools to make a point (with one being a 4-yr degree) and even then. Still cheaper that ANY top 100 Private full pay uni in the US. As a PP mentioned, there very little IF ANY crossover between in state flagship uni applicants and kids who go abroad….noen of these kids are making these decisions (maybe. Tiny percentage). I have had 3 kids study in the UK from California. None of them had friends that made decisions to attend their UK school that were forgoing a State Flagship to do so. Different crowds….whether you like it or not.

And you are cherry picking as well. That is tuition ONLY for Exeter accounting, the cheapest tuition as you know, because you went to this list and picked it. However, we all can see that Exeter fees can go as high as $38k+ pounds a year plus then you have to tack on accommodations, fees, books, travel, etc, which is a separate Exeter tab altogether. Others here are providing he sensible “all-in” fee. You do sound like a cantankerous nutter who has to fight about everything. Just stop or go take a drink. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees/

Not at all. My kids are in humanities and business. SO that is what I focus on. The vast majority of these are under 25k pounds. You are not medicine there, so if STEM you will be at 30k pounds. Even with room and board and the fact it is 3 years you are still MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than ANY US Private school full pay.

Tuition only

Argue all you want. Show me on Private US university in the top 100 that is equivalent in total pricing for a degree to a school like Exeter or Warwick or Bristol or Durham ?? You wont be able to because it doesnt exist.

Top privates in US give generous aid. Yale for example waves tuition for all families making under 200k. Similarly ranked privates are need based and comparably generous.

A family making >200k a year should have saved money for their kids college, so it won’t be a major drag on family finances. But if money is the main concern then well regarded state flagships will be cheaper and arguably better.

UK universities are public schools, it’s silly to flat out reject the comparison with public US colleges and only compare with privates.

This doesn't answer the PP's question. Just because a family making 200K+ a year, should be capable of paying 90k/year in tuition, according to your opinion, doesn't mean they want to do so, if cheaper comparable opportunities abroad exist.

The decision on what college to attend depends first on getting in, cost, available money, educational quality, career opportunities and many other factors.

If you’re looking at cheaper comparable (comparable to what?) opportunities abroad than also look at cheaper comparable opportunities in state. When this is brought up, the UK cheerleaders are nope, you can’t do that, only US private full pay vs UK is an allowed comparison, which is both silly and pointless.

+1. It’s so weird how dug in some people are getting about this. If you care this much about costs then you care about costs, plain and simple, and you have options domestically too. Even OOS publics can save money in many cases for a full pay family.

Part of this is that there are a lot of private school families here where going abroad is about saving face/bragging to the other private school parents when the T20 door closes, rather than the money itself (or, god forbid, the actual academic programming and opportunities). The cognitive dissonance kicks in when people mention going to a public school because, no, couldn’t possibly consider that idea, imagine telling Sara’s mom that’s what we’re doing, why would you suggest such a thing?

100% agree. A lot of these UK universities posters are chasing prestige at deep discounts. The kid can’t make it to top 20 in US, and/or they don’t have money saved for college.

Then they are checking the sales rack in search of a good deal, after all Cambridge, Oxford are on the same level as Top 20. But the chances of getting in after T20 rejection are inexistent.

Next they go down the list to Leeds, Essex and Aberdeen, prestige is in short supply, but a least they clam to be savvy shoppers because they saved on cost. Never mind that costs are not exactly rock bottom and the savings are $10-20k a year at best. And that’s at the cost of being in another country, doing internships overseas if even allowed, building a network in another country etc. If the intent is to return to US after graduation, that’s not ideal, and in my view it’s not worth the savings.

Its better to go to a solid state school, aim for Top 20 in grad school if that’s your thing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a kid and a parent that sends their kid to the UK if they dont get in to a Top 20 or so and end up at Durham, UCL, Kings, St Andrews instead….is that a problem? I dont think so.

+1

Some kids are adventurous, and would be better served by being a pioneer at a 2nd tier UK school or an EU university than by going to their state flagship (along with half their high school friends).

Vive la difference!

Yes, but that’s different than claiming that you are choosing based on cost and then flipping out when someone suggests a flagship and claiming that no one would do that.

+1. And arguing endlessly about it long after everyone else has left the thread.

+2

It’s fine to look, apply and decide to go to college in another country. It’s another thing to pretend it’s so much cheaper or better.

It’s just an option, and if one looks into it it’s not that different than what’s available at home in US, in terms of money, prestige or career opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now with the euro at 1.2 usd, it’s not so cheap. The difference is that Europe is 3 years, so there is a year less. But can’t see how it would be less than 30K.

Ps. Unless student has dual citizenship, then yes, it would be cheaper cause they would pay EU or UK or Canadian rates. With US citizenship and difference between national and international rates, it goes up.

Dual citizenship doesn’t necessarily entitle you to cheaper tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I realize this is an old, reactivated thread, but anyone who thinks it is always cheaper overseas should check online before jumping in. St. Andres is now $66,000 a year for international students, so $264K (not including airfare) and Oxford is now $81,765 pounds, so x 3 years. A better option is to do state flagship for undergrad and grad overseas.

First of all NOBODY here (just ready the whole thread) insisted or said that it is “ always cheaper overseas “. You are the first one that said that.

Clearly you are you quite grasping the point being made here by a lot of people. The avg kid going to St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK or Europe is NOT the same kid that is forgoing their state flagship to do so. Please…..different universes…..these kids are kids that likely going to be full pay at T100 US privates. Don’t be naive.

Po is correctly responding to OP’s claims: “the pros are still massive. The most obvious is the cost, which is just staggering. We're talking about the potential to get a degree for a price that's less than a single year at some private US colleges. The math is pretty compelling: with many EU public universities having tuition at a fraction of US schools, the savings are life-changing. Specially if you are able to invest that savings on behalf of your kids for when they graduate.”

And there is nothing wrong with OP claims…even at this exchange rate, it is still true. A place like Exeter at 24k Pounds x 3 years (73k pounds) is still less than $100k dollars..and you get your degree…..

PP cherry-picked two schools to make a point (with one being a 4-yr degree) and even then. Still cheaper that ANY top 100 Private full pay uni in the US. As a PP mentioned, there very little IF ANY crossover between in state flagship uni applicants and kids who go abroad….noen of these kids are making these decisions (maybe. Tiny percentage). I have had 3 kids study in the UK from California. None of them had friends that made decisions to attend their UK school that were forgoing a State Flagship to do so. Different crowds….whether you like it or not.

And you are cherry picking as well. That is tuition ONLY for Exeter accounting, the cheapest tuition as you know, because you went to this list and picked it. However, we all can see that Exeter fees can go as high as $38k+ pounds a year plus then you have to tack on accommodations, fees, books, travel, etc, which is a separate Exeter tab altogether. Others here are providing he sensible “all-in” fee. You do sound like a cantankerous nutter who has to fight about everything. Just stop or go take a drink. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees/

Not at all. My kids are in humanities and business. SO that is what I focus on. The vast majority of these are under 25k pounds. You are not medicine there, so if STEM you will be at 30k pounds. Even with room and board and the fact it is 3 years you are still MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than ANY US Private school full pay.

Tuition only

Argue all you want. Show me on Private US university in the top 100 that is equivalent in total pricing for a degree to a school like Exeter or Warwick or Bristol or Durham ?? You wont be able to because it doesnt exist.

Top privates in US give generous aid. Yale for example waves tuition for all families making under 200k. Similarly ranked privates are need based and comparably generous.

A family making >200k a year should have saved money for their kids college, so it won’t be a major drag on family finances. But if money is the main concern then well regarded state flagships will be cheaper and arguably better.

UK universities are public schools, it’s silly to flat out reject the comparison with public US colleges and only compare with privates.

This doesn't answer the PP's question. Just because a family making 200K+ a year, should be capable of paying 90k/year in tuition, according to your opinion, doesn't mean they want to do so, if cheaper comparable opportunities abroad exist.

The decision on what college to attend depends first on getting in, cost, available money, educational quality, career opportunities and many other factors.

If you’re looking at cheaper comparable (comparable to what?) opportunities abroad than also look at cheaper comparable opportunities in state. When this is brought up, the UK cheerleaders are nope, you can’t do that, only US private full pay vs UK is an allowed comparison, which is both silly and pointless.

+1. It’s so weird how dug in some people are getting about this. If you care this much about costs then you care about costs, plain and simple, and you have options domestically too. Even OOS publics can save money in many cases for a full pay family.

Part of this is that there are a lot of private school families here where going abroad is about saving face/bragging to the other private school parents when the T20 door closes, rather than the money itself (or, god forbid, the actual academic programming and opportunities). The cognitive dissonance kicks in when people mention going to a public school because, no, couldn’t possibly consider that idea, imagine telling Sara’s mom that’s what we’re doing, why would you suggest such a thing?

100% agree. A lot of these UK universities posters are chasing prestige at deep discounts. The kid can’t make it to top 20 in US, and/or they don’t have money saved for college.

Then they are checking the sales rack in search of a good deal, after all Cambridge, Oxford are on the same level as Top 20. But the chances of getting in after T20 rejection are inexistent.

Next they go down the list to Leeds, Essex and Aberdeen, prestige is in short supply, but a least they clam to be savvy shoppers because they saved on cost. Never mind that costs are not exactly rock bottom and the savings are $10-20k a year at best. And that’s at the cost of being in another country, doing internships overseas if even allowed, building a network in another country etc. If the intent is to return to US after graduation, that’s not ideal, and in my view it’s not worth the savings.

Its better to go to a solid state school, aim for Top 20 in grad school if that’s your thing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a kid and a parent that sends their kid to the UK if they dont get in to a Top 20 or so and end up at Durham, UCL, Kings, St Andrews instead….is that a problem? I dont think so.

+1

Some kids are adventurous, and would be better served by being a pioneer at a 2nd tier UK school or an EU university than by going to their state flagship (along with half their high school friends).

Vive la difference!

Yes, but that’s different than claiming that you are choosing based on cost and then flipping out when someone suggests a flagship and claiming that no one would do that.

+1. And arguing endlessly about it long after everyone else has left the thread.

+2

It’s fine to look, apply and decide to go to college in another country. It’s another thing to pretend it’s so much cheaper or better.

It’s just an option, and if one looks into it it’s not that different than what’s available at home in US, in terms of money, prestige or career opportunities.

This. I have a kid at Oxbridge. Four years ago it was more of a “deal” but those schools and St. AnDrews and the most of rest have caught on that Americans will pay well to attend. St Andrews, in particular because it seeks out private full-pay students from the states. And, at least in our experience, there is no merit and no financial aid (but you can get a US - from ED - but must file the FAFSA). I’ll have to go look at the amount allowed. We did that every year until kid got a scholarship . Check the stats before you apply and look closely at housing costs. Some of the universities in London have poor offerings for students; finding affordable rooms is next to impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I realize this is an old, reactivated thread, but anyone who thinks it is always cheaper overseas should check online before jumping in. St. Andres is now $66,000 a year for international students, so $264K (not including airfare) and Oxford is now $81,765 pounds, so x 3 years. A better option is to do state flagship for undergrad and grad overseas.

First of all NOBODY here (just ready the whole thread) insisted or said that it is “ always cheaper overseas “. You are the first one that said that.

Clearly you are you quite grasping the point being made here by a lot of people. The avg kid going to St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK or Europe is NOT the same kid that is forgoing their state flagship to do so. Please…..different universes…..these kids are kids that likely going to be full pay at T100 US privates. Don’t be naive.

Po is correctly responding to OP’s claims: “the pros are still massive. The most obvious is the cost, which is just staggering. We're talking about the potential to get a degree for a price that's less than a single year at some private US colleges. The math is pretty compelling: with many EU public universities having tuition at a fraction of US schools, the savings are life-changing. Specially if you are able to invest that savings on behalf of your kids for when they graduate.”

And there is nothing wrong with OP claims…even at this exchange rate, it is still true. A place like Exeter at 24k Pounds x 3 years (73k pounds) is still less than $100k dollars..and you get your degree…..

PP cherry-picked two schools to make a point (with one being a 4-yr degree) and even then. Still cheaper that ANY top 100 Private full pay uni in the US. As a PP mentioned, there very little IF ANY crossover between in state flagship uni applicants and kids who go abroad….noen of these kids are making these decisions (maybe. Tiny percentage). I have had 3 kids study in the UK from California. None of them had friends that made decisions to attend their UK school that were forgoing a State Flagship to do so. Different crowds….whether you like it or not.

And you are cherry picking as well. That is tuition ONLY for Exeter accounting, the cheapest tuition as you know, because you went to this list and picked it. However, we all can see that Exeter fees can go as high as $38k+ pounds a year plus then you have to tack on accommodations, fees, books, travel, etc, which is a separate Exeter tab altogether. Others here are providing he sensible “all-in” fee. You do sound like a cantankerous nutter who has to fight about everything. Just stop or go take a drink. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees/

Not at all. My kids are in humanities and business. SO that is what I focus on. The vast majority of these are under 25k pounds. You are not medicine there, so if STEM you will be at 30k pounds. Even with room and board and the fact it is 3 years you are still MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than ANY US Private school full pay.

Tuition only

Argue all you want. Show me on Private US university in the top 100 that is equivalent in total pricing for a degree to a school like Exeter or Warwick or Bristol or Durham ?? You wont be able to because it doesnt exist.

Top privates in US give generous aid. Yale for example waves tuition for all families making under 200k. Similarly ranked privates are need based and comparably generous.

A family making >200k a year should have saved money for their kids college, so it won’t be a major drag on family finances. But if money is the main concern then well regarded state flagships will be cheaper and arguably better.

UK universities are public schools, it’s silly to flat out reject the comparison with public US colleges and only compare with privates.

This doesn't answer the PP's question. Just because a family making 200K+ a year, should be capable of paying 90k/year in tuition, according to your opinion, doesn't mean they want to do so, if cheaper comparable opportunities abroad exist.

The decision on what college to attend depends first on getting in, cost, available money, educational quality, career opportunities and many other factors.

If you’re looking at cheaper comparable (comparable to what?) opportunities abroad than also look at cheaper comparable opportunities in state. When this is brought up, the UK cheerleaders are nope, you can’t do that, only US private full pay vs UK is an allowed comparison, which is both silly and pointless.

+1. It’s so weird how dug in some people are getting about this. If you care this much about costs then you care about costs, plain and simple, and you have options domestically too. Even OOS publics can save money in many cases for a full pay family.

Part of this is that there are a lot of private school families here where going abroad is about saving face/bragging to the other private school parents when the T20 door closes, rather than the money itself (or, god forbid, the actual academic programming and opportunities). The cognitive dissonance kicks in when people mention going to a public school because, no, couldn’t possibly consider that idea, imagine telling Sara’s mom that’s what we’re doing, why would you suggest such a thing?

100% agree. A lot of these UK universities posters are chasing prestige at deep discounts. The kid can’t make it to top 20 in US, and/or they don’t have money saved for college.

Then they are checking the sales rack in search of a good deal, after all Cambridge, Oxford are on the same level as Top 20. But the chances of getting in after T20 rejection are inexistent.

Next they go down the list to Leeds, Essex and Aberdeen, prestige is in short supply, but a least they clam to be savvy shoppers because they saved on cost. Never mind that costs are not exactly rock bottom and the savings are $10-20k a year at best. And that’s at the cost of being in another country, doing internships overseas if even allowed, building a network in another country etc. If the intent is to return to US after graduation, that’s not ideal, and in my view it’s not worth the savings.

Its better to go to a solid state school, aim for Top 20 in grad school if that’s your thing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a kid and a parent that sends their kid to the UK if they dont get in to a Top 20 or so and end up at Durham, UCL, Kings, St Andrews instead….is that a problem? I dont think so.

+1

Some kids are adventurous, and would be better served by being a pioneer at a 2nd tier UK school or an EU university than by going to their state flagship (along with half their high school friends).

Vive la difference!

Yes, but that’s different than claiming that you are choosing based on cost and then flipping out when someone suggests a flagship and claiming that no one would do that.

+1. And arguing endlessly about it long after everyone else has left the thread.

+2

It’s fine to look, apply and decide to go to college in another country. It’s another thing to pretend it’s so much cheaper or better.

It’s just an option, and if one looks into it it’s not that different than what’s available at home in US, in terms of money, prestige or career opportunities.

This. I have a kid at Oxbridge. Four years ago it was more of a “deal” but those schools and St. AnDrews and the most of rest have caught on that Americans will pay well to attend. St Andrews, in particular because it seeks out private full-pay students from the states. And, at least in our experience, there is no merit and no financial aid (but you can get a US - from ED - but must file the FAFSA). I’ll have to go look at the amount allowed. We did that every year until kid got a scholarship . Check the stats before you apply and look closely at housing costs. Some of the universities in London have poor offerings for students; finding affordable rooms is next to impossible.



YIkes. I’m glad I checked. I was going to say we got $18,000 in federal unsubsidized student loans a year for Oxbridge but it’s far less - so calculate accordingly:

“For a U.S. citizen studying for an undergraduate degree at Oxford (a foreign institution), the maximum Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan amount for the 2025-2026 academic year depends on the year in school, typically ranging from $5,500 to $12,500 per year. Independent students or dependent students whose parents cannot borrow PLUS loans may qualify for higher limits.
Federal Student Aid (.gov)”

[Anonymous]

St Andrews does offer a few scholarships for International Students. They do have a full tuition scholarship and several 10k pounds scholarships for overseas undergrads. My son has one .So in his example, his last year starting in Sep 2026, he will pay 22,350 pounds for the year in Tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I realize this is an old, reactivated thread, but anyone who thinks it is always cheaper overseas should check online before jumping in. St. Andres is now $66,000 a year for international students, so $264K (not including airfare) and Oxford is now $81,765 pounds, so x 3 years. A better option is to do state flagship for undergrad and grad overseas.

First of all NOBODY here (just ready the whole thread) insisted or said that it is “ always cheaper overseas “. You are the first one that said that.

Clearly you are you quite grasping the point being made here by a lot of people. The avg kid going to St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK or Europe is NOT the same kid that is forgoing their state flagship to do so. Please…..different universes…..these kids are kids that likely going to be full pay at T100 US privates. Don’t be naive.

Po is correctly responding to OP’s claims: “the pros are still massive. The most obvious is the cost, which is just staggering. We're talking about the potential to get a degree for a price that's less than a single year at some private US colleges. The math is pretty compelling: with many EU public universities having tuition at a fraction of US schools, the savings are life-changing. Specially if you are able to invest that savings on behalf of your kids for when they graduate.”

And there is nothing wrong with OP claims…even at this exchange rate, it is still true. A place like Exeter at 24k Pounds x 3 years (73k pounds) is still less than $100k dollars..and you get your degree…..

PP cherry-picked two schools to make a point (with one being a 4-yr degree) and even then. Still cheaper that ANY top 100 Private full pay uni in the US. As a PP mentioned, there very little IF ANY crossover between in state flagship uni applicants and kids who go abroad….noen of these kids are making these decisions (maybe. Tiny percentage). I have had 3 kids study in the UK from California. None of them had friends that made decisions to attend their UK school that were forgoing a State Flagship to do so. Different crowds….whether you like it or not.

And you are cherry picking as well. That is tuition ONLY for Exeter accounting, the cheapest tuition as you know, because you went to this list and picked it. However, we all can see that Exeter fees can go as high as $38k+ pounds a year plus then you have to tack on accommodations, fees, books, travel, etc, which is a separate Exeter tab altogether. Others here are providing he sensible “all-in” fee. You do sound like a cantankerous nutter who has to fight about everything. Just stop or go take a drink. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees/

Not at all. My kids are in humanities and business. SO that is what I focus on. The vast majority of these are under 25k pounds. You are not medicine there, so if STEM you will be at 30k pounds. Even with room and board and the fact it is 3 years you are still MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than ANY US Private school full pay.

Tuition only

Argue all you want. Show me on Private US university in the top 100 that is equivalent in total pricing for a degree to a school like Exeter or Warwick or Bristol or Durham ?? You wont be able to because it doesnt exist.

Top privates in US give generous aid. Yale for example waves tuition for all families making under 200k. Similarly ranked privates are need based and comparably generous.

A family making >200k a year should have saved money for their kids college, so it won’t be a major drag on family finances. But if money is the main concern then well regarded state flagships will be cheaper and arguably better.

UK universities are public schools, it’s silly to flat out reject the comparison with public US colleges and only compare with privates.

This doesn't answer the PP's question. Just because a family making 200K+ a year, should be capable of paying 90k/year in tuition, according to your opinion, doesn't mean they want to do so, if cheaper comparable opportunities abroad exist.

The decision on what college to attend depends first on getting in, cost, available money, educational quality, career opportunities and many other factors.

If you’re looking at cheaper comparable (comparable to what?) opportunities abroad than also look at cheaper comparable opportunities in state. When this is brought up, the UK cheerleaders are nope, you can’t do that, only US private full pay vs UK is an allowed comparison, which is both silly and pointless.

+1. It’s so weird how dug in some people are getting about this. If you care this much about costs then you care about costs, plain and simple, and you have options domestically too. Even OOS publics can save money in many cases for a full pay family.

Part of this is that there are a lot of private school families here where going abroad is about saving face/bragging to the other private school parents when the T20 door closes, rather than the money itself (or, god forbid, the actual academic programming and opportunities). The cognitive dissonance kicks in when people mention going to a public school because, no, couldn’t possibly consider that idea, imagine telling Sara’s mom that’s what we’re doing, why would you suggest such a thing?

100% agree. A lot of these UK universities posters are chasing prestige at deep discounts. The kid can’t make it to top 20 in US, and/or they don’t have money saved for college.

Then they are checking the sales rack in search of a good deal, after all Cambridge, Oxford are on the same level as Top 20. But the chances of getting in after T20 rejection are inexistent.

Next they go down the list to Leeds, Essex and Aberdeen, prestige is in short supply, but a least they clam to be savvy shoppers because they saved on cost. Never mind that costs are not exactly rock bottom and the savings are $10-20k a year at best. And that’s at the cost of being in another country, doing internships overseas if even allowed, building a network in another country etc. If the intent is to return to US after graduation, that’s not ideal, and in my view it’s not worth the savings.

Its better to go to a solid state school, aim for Top 20 in grad school if that’s your thing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a kid and a parent that sends their kid to the UK if they dont get in to a Top 20 or so and end up at Durham, UCL, Kings, St Andrews instead….is that a problem? I dont think so.

+1

Some kids are adventurous, and would be better served by being a pioneer at a 2nd tier UK school or an EU university than by going to their state flagship (along with half their high school friends).

Vive la difference!

Yes, but that’s different than claiming that you are choosing based on cost and then flipping out when someone suggests a flagship and claiming that no one would do that.

+1. And arguing endlessly about it long after everyone else has left the thread.

+2

It’s fine to look, apply and decide to go to college in another country. It’s another thing to pretend it’s so much cheaper or better.

It’s just an option, and if one looks into it it’s not that different than what’s available at home in US, in terms of money, prestige or career opportunities.

Nobody here is saying it is better. But if you remove Scotland and the London schools, you can still get a much cheaper total price at a place like Durham, Exeter, Manchester, etc.

Exeter for instance is 25k tuition for most Humanities/business/etc plus 10k for room/board. That totals 35k pounds x 3 = 105k pounds. That is 141k dollars with Feb 23 2026 exchange rates. That is equivalent to $35k dollars per year in a US university. Very few Out of State publics charge that little for Tuition/Room and Board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St Andrews does offer a few scholarships for International Students. They do have a full tuition scholarship and several 10k pounds scholarships for overseas undergrads. My son has one .So in his example, his last year starting in Sep 2026, he will pay 22,350 pounds for the year in Tuition.

Lucky you, we paid over $65K all in until the kid picked up a scholarship over there.

[Anonymous]

no you're smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now with the euro at 1.2 usd, it’s not so cheap. The difference is that Europe is 3 years, so there is a year less. But can’t see how it would be less than 30K.

Ps. Unless student has dual citizenship, then yes, it would be cheaper cause they would pay EU or UK or Canadian rates. With US citizenship and difference between national and international rates, it goes up.

You do realize that some universities in the EU are private?

[Anonymous]

College is an investment in your kids future so one way to view this is analogous to investing in indexed funds.

Look at what’s available and make a choice based on individual circumstances and risk tolerance. In some cases investing in an international fund may make the most sense, in other cases a domestic fund makes sense.

Some schools offer options where you can do dual degree programs and so invest in both options.

There is no right or wrong answer here. Different options work depending on the kid’s circumstances and desires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now with the euro at 1.2 usd, it’s not so cheap. The difference is that Europe is 3 years, so there is a year less. But can’t see how it would be less than 30K.

Ps. Unless student has dual citizenship, then yes, it would be cheaper cause they would pay EU or UK or Canadian rates. With US citizenship and difference between national and international rates, it goes up.

You do realize that some universities in the EU are private?

And even some of those give you a break with a EU passport. ESCP is a private business school that is always in the TOP 10 EU Business schools. They have a price for non EU-citizens and one for EU Citizens. If I recall correctly it is about 23k Euros for non EU and 17 for EU. And yes, all you need is a dual citizenship/passport. No residency requirements.

Others amazing schools in the humanities like Sapienza in Rome is super cheap for EU passport holders. But you are right, schools like IE in Spain charge the same amount regardless of passport.