Is Penn State worth $300K?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC does not want in state for a specific reason, and I don't blame them.

Yes, we can "afford" the $300K, but it will wipe out all of DC's inheritance, which they are willing to do, but they are 17 and not exactly aware of financial consequences of such a decision.

My question is, "is it worth $300K". It's the summer start that's adding an extra $20K, and although that's about 6% or so of the total, it still adds to putting the budget over. Quite frankly, I didn't expect summer start to be so pricey.

They did apply to and get merit aid from small private colleges, but they aren't as keen on those, and those colleges aren't as good for the major (it's not CS).

My understanding is that PSU has an amazing alumni network, and that is no small thing. Also, IF DC decides to change majors (which I could see happening), I'm thinking PSU would be better for that, too.

But the aid from GMU is also no small thing, and yes, I'm aware of the GPA requirements.

We are so torn about this decision. Overall, I do think PSU is better but is it "better" for $300k?

Quit mentioning 300,000. It is 300,000 minus the cost of GMU.

I would encourage your child to apply to some other flagship schools so you have another option that is similar to Penn State. It seems like DC wants a football school. I bet Iowa comes in under GMU. Last year my kid was all in around 34-35 and he was TO and a good but not great student. Maybe Minnesota? Kentucky has auto merit. Same with WVU. Mizzou offers in-state tuition after a year. What about Temple? It isn't that expensive.

People love Penn State. I get it. DS is probably going there next year but we are in-state.

The major is not a popular major, and most colleges, even large flagships, don't offer it. That's why we are limited to schools like GMU or Penn State. If it weren't for the major, then yes, we would've looked a lot of other less expensive oos.

Is majoring in this major the only path to being able to work in a desired career? Is there another way to get there?

That's a good question. I think there are other pathways to get there, but DC doesn't want to major in those other pathways as it would be a lot harder and does not focus on certain aspects of the career path.

Okay. I think if it were me, I would let DC go to Penn State then. I know someone whose parents made them go to their state school instead of their dream school, and they never got over it and never stopped holding it against the parents, even decades later. GMU is just too different from Penn State. I think it would be too disappointing an experience for someone who wants Penn State. GMU is an excellent practical choice for local students, especially if they will be majoring in CS. But they have to be of a mindset to be happy about how much money they're saving. I believe that GMU is greatly underrated and will rise in stature over time, but for a kid who wants school spirit and excitement on campus, it isn't there yet. I've heard that more and more kids from TJ (local prestigious and hard-to-get-into high school for science and technology) are choosing GMU. Not everyone can see its value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC does not want in state for a specific reason, and I don't blame them.

Yes, we can "afford" the $300K, but it will wipe out all of DC's inheritance, which they are willing to do, but they are 17 and not exactly aware of financial consequences of such a decision.

My question is, "is it worth $300K". It's the summer start that's adding an extra $20K, and although that's about 6% or so of the total, it still adds to putting the budget over. Quite frankly, I didn't expect summer start to be so pricey.

They did apply to and get merit aid from small private colleges, but they aren't as keen on those, and those colleges aren't as good for the major (it's not CS).

My understanding is that PSU has an amazing alumni network, and that is no small thing. Also, IF DC decides to change majors (which I could see happening), I'm thinking PSU would be better for that, too.

But the aid from GMU is also no small thing, and yes, I'm aware of the GPA requirements.

We are so torn about this decision. Overall, I do think PSU is better but is it "better" for $300k?

Quit mentioning 300,000. It is 300,000 minus the cost of GMU.

I would encourage your child to apply to some other flagship schools so you have another option that is similar to Penn State. It seems like DC wants a football school. I bet Iowa comes in under GMU. Last year my kid was all in around 34-35 and he was TO and a good but not great student. Maybe Minnesota? Kentucky has auto merit. Same with WVU. Mizzou offers in-state tuition after a year. What about Temple? It isn't that expensive.

People love Penn State. I get it. DS is probably going there next year but we are in-state.

The major is not a popular major, and most colleges, even large flagships, don't offer it. That's why we are limited to schools like GMU or Penn State. If it weren't for the major, then yes, we would've looked a lot of other less expensive oos.

Is majoring in this major the only path to being able to work in a desired career? Is there another way to get there?

That's a good question. I think there are other pathways to get there, but DC doesn't want to major in those other pathways as it would be a lot harder and does not focus on certain aspects of the career path.

Okay. I think if it were me, I would let DC go to Penn State then. I know someone whose parents made them go to their state school instead of their dream school, and they never got over it and never stopped holding it against the parents, even decades later. GMU is just too different from Penn State. I think it would be too disappointing an experience for someone who wants Penn State. GMU is an excellent practical choice for local students, especially if they will be majoring in CS. But they have to be of a mindset to be happy about how much money they're saving. I believe that GMU is greatly underrated and will rise in stature over time, but for a kid who wants school spirit and excitement on campus, it isn't there yet. I've heard that more and more kids from TJ (local prestigious and hard-to-get-into high school for science and technology) are choosing GMU. Not everyone can see its value.

In 2020, my son was accepted to Brown, Penn State, and George Mason University (in-state). Attending Brown or Penn State would have required paying full tuition, while GMU offered him a full-ride covering tuition, room, and board. He chose GMU and invested the $350,000 we had saved for his education in the stock market. He graduated from GMU in 2024 with a computer science degree specializing in cybersecurity, and that initial investment grew to $1.8 million. He now works in government contracting and has $1.8 million in the bank—an achievement very few 22-year-olds can claim and one that would not have been possible had he attended Brown or Penn State.