How much for engineering undergrad at a top 50 school?

[Anonymous]

My DS is a rising 10th grader and I am starting to freak out about affording college. I expect we will have $100k saved by 2024 and can cover another $50k with cashflow. While that is not enough for the expensive top ten schools like Cornell, I am hoping it will cover most of the cost at other good schools that are more within reach of average UMC families. So my question: how much are you spending right now on tuition and board for your 4.0 GPA engineering undergrad kid?

[Anonymous]

What state are you in?
UVA, VT, and UMD all have excellent engineering programs.

[Anonymous]

We are in MD but I am trying to do the math on other options as well.

[Anonymous]

The difference between top schools and good schools is non-existent- all of the probates cost around 70k a year and the top publics range from 50k up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The difference between top schools and good schools is non-existent- all of the probates cost around 70k a year and the top publics range from 50k up

But what about merit aid at the top 30-50 schools? I understand that the top 20 give no aid but surely there is a way to bring the cost down at schools one tier down?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The difference between top schools and good schools is non-existent- all of the probates cost around 70k a year and the top publics range from 50k up

But what about merit aid at the top 30-50 schools? I understand that the top 20 give no aid but surely there is a way to bring the cost down at schools one tier down?

Work the net price calculators. No one here will have any idea what the cost will be for your child.

[Anonymous]

Also, all the top schools give aid. Not necessarily merit, but plenty of need-based. Again, the NPC’s hold your answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a rising 10th grader and I am starting to freak out about affording college. I expect we will have $100k saved by 2024 and can cover another $50k with cashflow. While that is not enough for the expensive top ten schools like Cornell, I am hoping it will cover most of the cost at other good schools that are more within reach of average UMC families. So my question: how much are you spending right now on tuition and board for your 4.0 GPA engineering undergrad kid?

Top colleges are luxury goods. Tell your kid to be grateful for what you saved and if they don’t like it they can suck it up and take out loans.

[Anonymous]

Move to Virginia and go in-state.

[Anonymous]

UMCP prices will be hard to beat.

[Anonymous]

In state is the way to go 30k or less. Out of state public 40 to 60k, depending on merit aid. Private 70k plus. It os actually pretty simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UMCP prices will be hard to beat.

They are very expensive fir a state school, plus the location isn’t very appealing.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you listen to a souls here about what colleges cost you’re crazy. Follow the net price calculator advice. List prices mean nothing.

[Anonymous]

If you make enough to pay 50k through cash flow, the sticker minus token merit is what you pay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you make enough to pay 50k through cash flow, the sticker minus token merit is what you pay

If you must insist on a top 50 school, that is.