Which college is worth $90k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re fortunate to be able to afford full tuition anywhere. We told both DCs that money did not need to factor into their school choices, and we meant it.

The question is not whether you can afford or pay for it, the question is what college is actually worth 90,000 per year. So, if you believe your particular college is/was , state your reasons supporting that.

DP. 90k is the going rate. When you say ‘Worth it’ you are asking people to ascribe a value to it. But it’s just the cost of the thing. I mean does it really matter if it’s 90k 80k or 70k?? Like, If you want a luxury suv. Same thing. It’s just how much it costs. I don’t think about ‘are these things worth it’. I want it so I’m paying for it and it honestly never occurs to me as I’m driving - was this worth it - because I’m not comparing my experience to the Hyundai sitting next to me at the stop light. Maybe some people go through life thinking that way but I don’t.

Bless the parents whose kids get into "Top Publics" which are tough admits and that outrank the 90,000 per year schools in their majors.

[Anonymous]

All the ivies are worth it - if it means no loans or debt.

I don’t believe in debt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the ivies are worth it - if it means no loans or debt.

I don’t believe in debt.

Answer the question...regardless of affording it or not, why is it financially worth it and provide evidence supporting the position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- I assume you can’t afford it and that’s why you’re asking- are you asking is it worth it if it means going into debt?

If you can comfortably afford it without making any sacrifices, then “worth it” doesn’t really matter.

Exactly. I don't believe any college is worth $90k/yr. But I am paying $90k/yr for my child to attend. There's no reason for us to hoard $400k in a 529 account (and yes that's already taking into account the $35k we can convert to a Roth).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re fortunate to be able to afford full tuition anywhere. We told both DCs that money did not need to factor into their school choices, and we meant it.

The question is not whether you can afford or pay for it, the question is what college is actually worth 90,000 per year. So, if you believe your particular college is/was , state your reasons supporting that.

OP - I appreciate this PP’s clarification. Lately I find a lot of posts go off track to philosophical responses (what’s a striver, what is the definition of “afford”…) instead of answering a very specific OP question. Thanks PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- I assume you can’t afford it and that’s why you’re asking- are you asking is it worth it if it means going into debt?

If you can comfortably afford it without making any sacrifices, then “worth it” doesn’t really matter.

Exactly. I don't believe any college is worth $90k/yr. But I am paying $90k/yr for my child to attend. There's no reason for us to hoard $400k in a 529 account (and yes that's already taking into account the $35k we can convert to a Roth).

Honest response and fair point.

[Anonymous]

If I can't afford it, then I can't afford it, no matter what school.

If I can afford it, then I can afford it for whatever school is the best fit for my child, no matter its prestige.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- I assume you can’t afford it and that’s why you’re asking- are you asking is it worth it if it means going into debt?

If you can comfortably afford it without making any sacrifices, then “worth it” doesn’t really matter.

I’m OP. No it doesn’t mean I’m going into debt. I can comfortably afford it. Just literally asking for names of colleges YOU personally like at $90k. I put the price tag on it as a filter bc I think a lot of cars are great and I’d be happy to drive a Subaru but I wouldn’t pay $90k for one even when I can afford to; just as i think Pittsburgh is a great college but I also wouldn’t pay $90k. Sorry I thought it was a simple question; didn’t mean to trigger all the debate on worth.

[Anonymous]

Some people’s way of coping is to graduate ASAP or look at colleges abroad, like Germany, where education is free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s more a question of what does $90k mean to you. If you have to borrow the money, or if paying that much meaningfully impacts your retirement or life in some way, it’s not worth it no matter the school.

If you can pay that much a year and it doesn’t impact you, then yea, it can be worth it.

OP - yes we can comfortably afford it, but still want to still which is best combination of world class education and campus experience comparable to HYPMS if full tuition is not a barrier and elite prestige is not the goal.

It depends what "campus experience" your child wants. My college freshman's main criterion was that the school supported competitive robotics design teams. Another student might prioritize rah rah sports or great theater or music opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't understand why folks complain about the 90k+ in tuition/room costs for higher education and instead are completely okay with buying an suv/car that is 100k+ that is a depreciating asset

Who on this thread did that? No one. Not sure why every one of these discussions gets turned into a straw man about financial choices.

[Anonymous]

If money is no object, I'd say any T50 university and T15 LAC is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't understand why folks complain about the 90k+ in tuition/room costs for higher education and instead are completely okay with buying an suv/car that is 100k+ that is a depreciating asset

Who on this thread did that? No one. Not sure why every one of these discussions gets turned into a straw man about financial choices.

exactly

[Anonymous]

One for the student whose parents have 90k to drop.
Definitely not for one who needs loans.

[Anonymous]

HYP, Duke and Stanford maybe Williams. Academic excellence and will be the leaders in the future especially Duke and Stanford both without Ivy baggage. The overall experience is unparalleled and more importantly the connections last a lifetime.