Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 12:05     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
OP doesn't know what they want of what they value
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 11:56     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We approached the cost of college similarly to another major life purchase: the cost of a home. We chose a home inside the beltway, with access to great public schools, in a safe neighborhood, close to kids’ ECs, jobs, and our friends - and we paid a premium for it. Was it worth it to us? Absolutely. Similarly, we could have paid less in-state for a college that wouldn’t deliver nearly the same experience or quality of education. We have the money, so our question was whether it was worth the additional expense to send our kid to the school she loved, with the right programs and supports (she has LDs), in a smaller environment where she would thrive. Absolutely.
the difference is that your home value almost certainly appreciated while you raised your kids.

You didn't even mention whether that more expensive school would allow for higher income after graduation


We absolutely considered ROI so far as anyone can without a crystal ball. The OOS option is MUCH higher ranked than the IS option in both USNWR and Forbes, with 30% higher salaries 10 years after graduation, top 10 for internships and career placement in the field she wants now (and others she may consider in the future), and a stronger alumni network.


But are the salaries "really higher"? Or is it because the graduates live in a differing cost of living areas? Because graduates in Boston make more than even those in the Chicago area, as Boston is a higher COLA. So you need to actually be comparing apples to apples

True. Graduates from San Jose State U, which is a B rated state u in the CSU system in CA, who major in CS can get "high" paying jobs, except it's not that high paying if you live in Silicon Valley.

FWIW, I went to SJSU for CS, but moved out of the Bay Area after having kids due to the hcol. I still get paid SV wages, though because I work remotely. But, if I were to get paid based on this area's locality, the pay would be lower.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 11:46     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
Anonymous wrote:No regrets! DC got merit aid. Once DC was OOS became enthusiastic re: a program there which was not offered at our state u. Merit aid carried over. Great career now.

This thread doesn't apply to you. OP is asking about spending $$$ for oos so without any or much merit aid.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 11:42     Subject: Re:Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
No regrets because my son did not make it into UMD but made it into Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech has a great reputation. While it is expensive for out of state, I feel it's the right place for him and he seems to be thriving.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 11:40     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
Kid was waitlisted instate UVA but in at UMich. In at W&M and VTech. Selected major was data science. Went to UMich.

He’s doing fantastic at UMich and able to take advantage of their honors and advanced classes. Yes it’s high cost but I’m glad that it’s working for him.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 10:25     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
No regrets! DC got merit aid. Once DC was OOS became enthusiastic re: a program there which was not offered at our state u. Merit aid carried over. Great career now.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 10:20     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We approached the cost of college similarly to another major life purchase: the cost of a home. We chose a home inside the beltway, with access to great public schools, in a safe neighborhood, close to kids’ ECs, jobs, and our friends - and we paid a premium for it. Was it worth it to us? Absolutely. Similarly, we could have paid less in-state for a college that wouldn’t deliver nearly the same experience or quality of education. We have the money, so our question was whether it was worth the additional expense to send our kid to the school she loved, with the right programs and supports (she has LDs), in a smaller environment where she would thrive. Absolutely.
the difference is that your home value almost certainly appreciated while you raised your kids.

You didn't even mention whether that more expensive school would allow for higher income after graduation


We absolutely considered ROI so far as anyone can without a crystal ball. The OOS option is MUCH higher ranked than the IS option in both USNWR and Forbes, with 30% higher salaries 10 years after graduation, top 10 for internships and career placement in the field she wants now (and others she may consider in the future), and a stronger alumni network.


But are the salaries "really higher"? Or is it because the graduates live in a differing cost of living areas? Because graduates in Boston make more than even those in the Chicago area, as Boston is a higher COLA. So you need to actually be comparing apples to apples
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 10:18     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:IMO, only UMich, UVA, UCLA, and UCB are worth it.


IMO, none of those schools are worth an OOS price tag.


+1

DP: but IMO, no school is worth that much, unless it's a mid size or smaller school. So under 8-9K students. But I'm not paying $75K/year for my kid to sit in classes with 200+ students and have to fight to get the courses they need. for that price I expect 30-50 as class size or smaller, I expect the true opportunity for an undergrad to do research (if they want).

Anonymous
Post 04/16/2025 09:09     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We approached the cost of college similarly to another major life purchase: the cost of a home. We chose a home inside the beltway, with access to great public schools, in a safe neighborhood, close to kids’ ECs, jobs, and our friends - and we paid a premium for it. Was it worth it to us? Absolutely. Similarly, we could have paid less in-state for a college that wouldn’t deliver nearly the same experience or quality of education. We have the money, so our question was whether it was worth the additional expense to send our kid to the school she loved, with the right programs and supports (she has LDs), in a smaller environment where she would thrive. Absolutely.
the difference is that your home value almost certainly appreciated while you raised your kids.

You didn't even mention whether that more expensive school would allow for higher income after graduation


We absolutely considered ROI so far as anyone can without a crystal ball. The OOS option is MUCH higher ranked than the IS option in both USNWR and Forbes, with 30% higher salaries 10 years after graduation, top 10 for internships and career placement in the field she wants now (and others she may consider in the future), and a stronger alumni network.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 11:12     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
No regret. Son didn't get in to state flagship. Other in state publics were commuter/suitcase schools.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 10:07     Subject: Anyone regret sending their dc to an OOS college and paying $$$ prices for a state school?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Reputation of major is what matters.

I am paying for GW's Elliott School of International Affairs because it's ranked in the top 10 worldwide. Kid was accepted at UMD Honors (it was his safety), but there's just no comparison for that specific major.



Isn’t GW private? I’m confused


It is. I pay 65K for it (merit aid) instead of 30K instate, which is why I thought it merited inclusion in this discussion. The broader question isn’t OOS vs in state. It’s what are parents prepared to pay for if not the instate option, and why?

I say, major quality is an important factor.



Hmmm, I think that’s a different topic. The in-state v OOS public is more hotly debated because you’re paying $70k-$80k for a public university with large classes, potential underfunding, lots of red tape and bureaucracy, facilities that may need TLC, and so on.

Other than MICH, Cal system, UVA and WM, think you are overestimating the cost of OOS public. Most run $40-60k full pay.


W&M is about $60k instate ($62k). Not sure why it is $20k less than UVA when it the most expensive school for instate residents. Supply and demand, I guess.