It depends what your DC wants to study. Tuft is definitely worth it for some majors, over others.

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Anonymous wrote:Does the OP realize that this is a DC site? What college comparable to Tufts can my DC resident children attend for $30k. Please, tell me so I can stop saving and go on a damn vacation.

But what do you mean by “comparable”? Any state school will give you an excellent education for much cheaper. What exactly are you getting for 2 or 3x the price?

Again, please find me an excellent state school that costs $30k OOS. Please!

Well the assumption is that a high stats kid will be getting plenty of merit aid.

Again - name some names please. Tell me the names of the excellent public universities that will give my high stats DC kids enough merit aid to make the cost $30k. Because many of us have been at this search for years and still haven’t found such a thing.

Michigan State is ranked 60th. They give 15k merit scholarships plus 5k for Honors college. That brings tuition down to about 33k. They have an amazing alumni network and study abroad programs. It’s a great school.

Florida state is ranked 53rd. Their OOS tuition is 21K (not sure about room and board).

I can find more if you want.

Half of the 83k OP is complaining about is room and board. Florida is 45k with room and board. Michigan state is Michigan state, which is not comparable to Tufts. Michigan is comparable to Tufts and is 76k for the first two years and 80k for the last two years

Why is Michigan State not comparable to Tufts? Other than name recognition, no one can say why Tufts is so superior.

One is small private university in New England, the other is a large land grant university in Michigan. How are they comparable other than both awarding bachelors degrees?

We’re talking about quality of education. I mean if you want to pay 80K to be in Boston at a small school, then kudos to you. But others were asking for excellent state schools that are cheaper and I provided two examples.

So how are they comparable? What makes the quality of education at Michigan State comparable to Tufts?

That’s what I’m asking. People seem to think that Tufts is superior. I haven’t seen any quantifiable evidence that the education itself is that much better. Until I do, I don’t see a difference with most colleges. And I don’t see the point of paying so much for location or name brand. But that’s just me.

It may not be superior in the ways you are referring to - but the student experience at Tufts and Michigan St are very different (and this is not to say Tufts is better...for example if you like big school sports...).

People who have the money to pay for it, are willing to let their children choose where they want to go. For Tufts families, it's going to school in Boston. I often think the people complaining about the tuition are the ones that can't afford it. I get that for people who wish they could hand their kids an open slate to consider colleges....but no need for others to lash back on whether it's worth it or not. And for worthiness - NO - it is not worth going into huge debt to pay for a private college when you have other options that are more affordable.

This is hilarious. Obviously. Which trust fund did you just climb down from to finally understand that?

Yes - it sounds obvious - but there's a point here..... if you are complaining that it isn't worth it just because you can't pay it - then you really have no credibility. It's just jealousy that you don't have the option to pay for whatever feature of a private school might appeal to your child.

+100000 It's sour grapes.

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Anonymous wrote:William and Mary. Half the price.

+1. I don't think Tufts is a good school. Maybe it has improved but it's always been a Vanderbilt-eque school in my mind. A private, expensive, mid-range school for kids that want to stay private. Think SMU.

So I'd prefer any of the public schools in the area - UMD, UVA, VaTech, W&M, etc. over Tufts any day. I don't see the draw.
Maybe Ivies are worth the sticker shock but even then I think they're overpriced. You're paying for the name brand, OP. You can get better deals and state schools. But most people want prestige so they buy the Audi even though the Toyota lasts much longer for 1/2 the price.

Makes sense. We own (no mortgage left) a 1 million home and another home valued at 1.6 million (just 2 years left of a mortgage w/ low interest rate); investments and big retirement savings, HH! $440k and all of our cars are Hondas . I hate flashy brand stuff like LV bags or Canadian goose in a climate like DC (ok if you ski or live in Canada -but overkill here and likely to get jacked for it). Once something gets too popular or trendy: I'm out. Not a brand whore.

Weighing the Ivy vs state schools--possibly merely for connections in kid's field. I truly don't think the actual education is better--just the exposure and that's why someone goes to an Ivy. But- no way would I do a SLAC over W&M or UVA in-state and for a STEM major VT (my alma mater STEM). And for STEM, unless it was MIT or CalTech--state school all the way, def no Ivy for that.

It depends what you want to study. Tufts would be a great choice for international relations. Not my top choice for computer science.

Tufts is considered one of the nation's top research universities, earning the "tier 1" classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the university's output of research activity.

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Anonymous wrote:Does the OP realize that this is a DC site? What college comparable to Tufts can my DC resident children attend for $30k. Please, tell me so I can stop saving and go on a damn vacation.

But what do you mean by “comparable”? Any state school will give you an excellent education for much cheaper. What exactly are you getting for 2 or 3x the price?

Again, please find me an excellent state school that costs $30k OOS. Please!

Well the assumption is that a high stats kid will be getting plenty of merit aid.

Again - name some names please. Tell me the names of the excellent public universities that will give my high stats DC kids enough merit aid to make the cost $30k. Because many of us have been at this search for years and still haven’t found such a thing.

Michigan State is ranked 60th. They give 15k merit scholarships plus 5k for Honors college. That brings tuition down to about 33k. They have an amazing alumni network and study abroad programs. It’s a great school.

Florida state is ranked 53rd. Their OOS tuition is 21K (not sure about room and board).

I can find more if you want.

Half of the 83k OP is complaining about is room and board. Florida is 45k with room and board. Michigan state is Michigan state, which is not comparable to Tufts. Michigan is comparable to Tufts and is 76k for the first two years and 80k for the last two years

Why is Michigan State not comparable to Tufts? Other than name recognition, no one can say why Tufts is so superior.

One is small private university in New England, the other is a large land grant university in Michigan. How are they comparable other than both awarding bachelors degrees?

We’re talking about quality of education. I mean if you want to pay 80K to be in Boston at a small school, then kudos to you. But others were asking for excellent state schools that are cheaper and I provided two examples.

So how are they comparable? What makes the quality of education at Michigan State comparable to Tufts?

That’s what I’m asking. People seem to think that Tufts is superior. I haven’t seen any quantifiable evidence that the education itself is that much better. Until I do, I don’t see a difference with most colleges. And I don’t see the point of paying so much for location or name brand. But that’s just me.

It may not be superior in the ways you are referring to - but the student experience at Tufts and Michigan St are very different (and this is not to say Tufts is better...for example if you like big school sports...).

People who have the money to pay for it, are willing to let their children choose where they want to go. For Tufts families, it's going to school in Boston. I often think the people complaining about the tuition are the ones that can't afford it. I get that for people who wish they could hand their kids an open slate to consider colleges....but no need for others to lash back on whether it's worth it or not. And for worthiness - NO - it is not worth going into huge debt to pay for a private college when you have other options that are more affordable.

This is hilarious. Obviously. Which trust fund did you just climb down from to finally understand that?

Yes - it sounds obvious - but there's a point here..... if you are complaining that it isn't worth it just because you can't pay it - then you really have no credibility. It's just jealousy that you don't have the option to pay for whatever feature of a private school might appeal to your child.

I suspect (My opinion!) that many who "complain about the pricing" do so out of jealousy and would happily send their kid to a T25 school at any price if they actually got in and could afford it.

When college planning, we had 3 scenarios for each kid: instate (estimated at $30-40K, oldest entered in fall 2017, youngest entering this fall), OOS/mid level privates at $60-65K (think UVA OOS--which was around that when our oldest entered college), and privates full pay ($estimates of $80-90K). All 3 were spot on estimates when our oldest entered college. And we adjusted upwards for the younger 2. So our FA was basically spot on with what college would cost for each of our kids. So we planned and saved for that.

Yes prices are going up rapidly, but it has not been a surprise. 20+ years ago college calculators predicted fairly close to what costs currently are.

One kid went to a mid level private (think 60-100 range), got excellent merit and still has enough for a year of MBA/grad school.

we can afford it, but I dont think it's worth it.

our private sends a lot of good not great student athletes to tufts.

vandy is a step up from tufts.. a much harder admit.

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Anonymous wrote:William and Mary. Half the price.

+1. I don't think Tufts is a good school. Maybe it has improved but it's always been a Vanderbilt-eque school in my mind. A private, expensive, mid-range school for kids that want to stay private. Think SMU.

So I'd prefer any of the public schools in the area - UMD, UVA, VaTech, W&M, etc. over Tufts any day. I don't see the draw.
Maybe Ivies are worth the sticker shock but even then I think they're overpriced. You're paying for the name brand, OP. You can get better deals and state schools. But most people want prestige so they buy the Audi even though the Toyota lasts much longer for 1/2 the price.

Vanderbilt vs. UMD/VaTech/W&M vs Tufts?
Major dependent i think?
For a humanities/Econ type major…

For my kids, I’d pick:
Vanderbilt
Tufts
UMD/VT/W&M

I would disagree. Most Vandy / Tufts grads that I know have been middle of the road type students. Nothing stellar but still go on to have good careers. I have not seen anything impressive from either school - which leads me to believe that they're not worth the money.

Admittedly, I am biased. I graduated from a big state school and paid significantly less to now out earn many of my private school friends. Subjective? Yes, but I've not seen these private unis earn their tuition rates.

If the outcome for a middle of the road student is a good career, how does that compare to the average Florida State or Michigan State grad (to use to previous schools posited as comparable)

That was my point. The results from Vanderbilt or Tufts are no different than a solid state school like Fl St, M St, or similar. So why pay more? Not worth it.

So your position is that the 50th percentile econ major from Oklahoma State fares exactly the same as the 50th percentile econ major from Vanderbilt? In 2023?

Really?

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Anonymous wrote:This is a silly discussion: it you think it's worth it and have the funds to pay for it, by all means have your child apply. If not, don't let them

THIS^^^

If you have the funds, send your kids there. If you don't, send them to state schools or privates that give merit.

Fact is, your kid can get a great education at many schools. It's what your kid does while there that matters so much more than where they go.

Me personally, we saved so our kids could attend $85K+ schools should they get in. It does not impact our other finances, so they will attend whatever school they get into/want to attend.

But if we couldn't afford it, then I simply would not allow my kids to look at those schools.

+1000

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Anonymous wrote:Does the OP realize that this is a DC site? What college comparable to Tufts can my DC resident children attend for $30k. Please, tell me so I can stop saving and go on a damn vacation.

But what do you mean by “comparable”? Any state school will give you an excellent education for much cheaper. What exactly are you getting for 2 or 3x the price?

Again, please find me an excellent state school that costs $30k OOS. Please!

Well the assumption is that a high stats kid will be getting plenty of merit aid.

Again - name some names please. Tell me the names of the excellent public universities that will give my high stats DC kids enough merit aid to make the cost $30k. Because many of us have been at this search for years and still haven’t found such a thing.

Michigan State is ranked 60th. They give 15k merit scholarships plus 5k for Honors college. That brings tuition down to about 33k. They have an amazing alumni network and study abroad programs. It’s a great school.

Florida state is ranked 53rd. Their OOS tuition is 21K (not sure about room and board).

I can find more if you want.

Half of the 83k OP is complaining about is room and board. Florida is 45k with room and board. Michigan state is Michigan state, which is not comparable to Tufts. Michigan is comparable to Tufts and is 76k for the first two years and 80k for the last two years

Why is Michigan State not comparable to Tufts? Other than name recognition, no one can say why Tufts is so superior.

One is small private university in New England, the other is a large land grant university in Michigan. How are they comparable other than both awarding bachelors degrees?

We’re talking about quality of education. I mean if you want to pay 80K to be in Boston at a small school, then kudos to you. But others were asking for excellent state schools that are cheaper and I provided two examples.

So how are they comparable? What makes the quality of education at Michigan State comparable to Tufts?

That’s what I’m asking. People seem to think that Tufts is superior. I haven’t seen any quantifiable evidence that the education itself is that much better. Until I do, I don’t see a difference with most colleges. And I don’t see the point of paying so much for location or name brand. But that’s just me.

It may not be superior in the ways you are referring to - but the student experience at Tufts and Michigan St are very different (and this is not to say Tufts is better...for example if you like big school sports...).

People who have the money to pay for it, are willing to let their children choose where they want to go. For Tufts families, it's going to school in Boston. I often think the people complaining about the tuition are the ones that can't afford it. I get that for people who wish they could hand their kids an open slate to consider colleges....but no need for others to lash back on whether it's worth it or not. And for worthiness - NO - it is not worth going into huge debt to pay for a private college when you have other options that are more affordable.

This is hilarious. Obviously. Which trust fund did you just climb down from to finally understand that?

Yes - it sounds obvious - but there's a point here..... if you are complaining that it isn't worth it just because you can't pay it - then you really have no credibility. It's just jealousy that you don't have the option to pay for whatever feature of a private school might appeal to your child.

Anonymous wrote:This is a silly discussion: it you think it's worth it and have the funds to pay for it, by all means have your child apply. If not, don't let them

THIS^^^

If you have the funds, send your kids there. If you don't, send them to state schools or privates that give merit.

Fact is, your kid can get a great education at many schools. It's what your kid does while there that matters so much more than where they go.

Me personally, we saved so our kids could attend $85K+ schools should they get in. It does not impact our other finances, so they will attend whatever school they get into/want to attend.

But if we couldn't afford it, then I simply would not allow my kids to look at those schools.

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Anonymous wrote:Does the OP realize that this is a DC site? What college comparable to Tufts can my DC resident children attend for $30k. Please, tell me so I can stop saving and go on a damn vacation.

But what do you mean by “comparable”? Any state school will give you an excellent education for much cheaper. What exactly are you getting for 2 or 3x the price?

Again, please find me an excellent state school that costs $30k OOS. Please!

Florida state

LOL Florida State is not equivalent to Tufts

Can you articulate why? This is what I’m trying to get at and no one can give a concrete answer.

What school does your child go to? What does a Better school in your county or district have that yours doesn't? ......... same thing for colleges really.

An honest person, finally!
It’s a wealthy cohort. That’s what you’re paying for. Makes sense.

My kid it as Blair. With the poors. And doing great. I guess what’s why I don’t understand paying 80k. We’re ok with the economic diversity.

So stay on that path for college. Why do you care why a Sidwell parent would want to pay for private college? You're living in different worlds.

It’s pure curiosity. I am intrigued by the willingness to spend so much. We could if we had to, but this isn’t mandatory so we won’t.

Good for you. Other people who can decide to spend more

Of course they can. I’m just curious if they think their kid is getting a better education than someone at Florida State.

I'm not PP but I pay because my DCs were able to find schools that were a great match for where they wanted to be for four years. If we didn't have the money, we'd tell them to go to in-state or seek merit aid. I was lucky to be given this opportunity by one of my parents for college. I am certain that my experience at the small private I attended (not out of prestige) formed me in positive ways that would not have occurred at my state university. I was exposed to a whole new world (I was not rich and went to a very diverse public school) and the smaller classes did make a difference.

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Anonymous wrote:Does the OP realize that this is a DC site? What college comparable to Tufts can my DC resident children attend for $30k. Please, tell me so I can stop saving and go on a damn vacation.

But what do you mean by “comparable”? Any state school will give you an excellent education for much cheaper. What exactly are you getting for 2 or 3x the price?

Again, please find me an excellent state school that costs $30k OOS. Please!

Well the assumption is that a high stats kid will be getting plenty of merit aid.

Again - name some names please. Tell me the names of the excellent public universities that will give my high stats DC kids enough merit aid to make the cost $30k. Because many of us have been at this search for years and still haven’t found such a thing.

The Cal States, if you can get in

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Anonymous wrote:Does the OP realize that this is a DC site? What college comparable to Tufts can my DC resident children attend for $30k. Please, tell me so I can stop saving and go on a damn vacation.

But what do you mean by “comparable”? Any state school will give you an excellent education for much cheaper. What exactly are you getting for 2 or 3x the price?

Again, please find me an excellent state school that costs $30k OOS. Please!

Well the assumption is that a high stats kid will be getting plenty of merit aid.

Again - name some names please. Tell me the names of the excellent public universities that will give my high stats DC kids enough merit aid to make the cost $30k. Because many of us have been at this search for years and still haven’t found such a thing.

Michigan State is ranked 60th. They give 15k merit scholarships plus 5k for Honors college. That brings tuition down to about 33k. They have an amazing alumni network and study abroad programs. It’s a great school.

Florida state is ranked 53rd. Their OOS tuition is 21K (not sure about room and board).

I can find more if you want.

Half of the 83k OP is complaining about is room and board. Florida is 45k with room and board. Michigan state is Michigan state, which is not comparable to Tufts. Michigan is comparable to Tufts and is 76k for the first two years and 80k for the last two years

Why is Michigan State not comparable to Tufts? Other than name recognition, no one can say why Tufts is so superior.

One is small private university in New England, the other is a large land grant university in Michigan. How are they comparable other than both awarding bachelors degrees?

We’re talking about quality of education. I mean if you want to pay 80K to be in Boston at a small school, then kudos to you. But others were asking for excellent state schools that are cheaper and I provided two examples.

So how are they comparable? What makes the quality of education at Michigan State comparable to Tufts?

That’s what I’m asking. People seem to think that Tufts is superior. I haven’t seen any quantifiable evidence that the education itself is that much better. Until I do, I don’t see a difference with most colleges. And I don’t see the point of paying so much for location or name brand. But that’s just me.

It may not be superior in the ways you are referring to - but the student experience at Tufts and Michigan St are very different (and this is not to say Tufts is better...for example if you like big school sports...).

People who have the money to pay for it, are willing to let their children choose where they want to go. For Tufts families, it's going to school in Boston. I often think the people complaining about the tuition are the ones that can't afford it. I get that for people who wish they could hand their kids an open slate to consider colleges....but no need for others to lash back on whether it's worth it or not. And for worthiness - NO - it is not worth going into huge debt to pay for a private college when you have other options that are more affordable.

This is hilarious. Obviously. Which trust fund did you just climb down from to finally understand that?

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Anonymous wrote:Does the OP realize that this is a DC site? What college comparable to Tufts can my DC resident children attend for $30k. Please, tell me so I can stop saving and go on a damn vacation.

But what do you mean by “comparable”? Any state school will give you an excellent education for much cheaper. What exactly are you getting for 2 or 3x the price?

Again, please find me an excellent state school that costs $30k OOS. Please!

Well the assumption is that a high stats kid will be getting plenty of merit aid.

Again - name some names please. Tell me the names of the excellent public universities that will give my high stats DC kids enough merit aid to make the cost $30k. Because many of us have been at this search for years and still haven’t found such a thing.

Michigan State is ranked 60th. They give 15k merit scholarships plus 5k for Honors college. That brings tuition down to about 33k. They have an amazing alumni network and study abroad programs. It’s a great school.

Florida state is ranked 53rd. Their OOS tuition is 21K (not sure about room and board).

I can find more if you want.

Half of the 83k OP is complaining about is room and board. Florida is 45k with room and board. Michigan state is Michigan state, which is not comparable to Tufts. Michigan is comparable to Tufts and is 76k for the first two years and 80k for the last two years

Why is Michigan State not comparable to Tufts? Other than name recognition, no one can say why Tufts is so superior.

One is small private university in New England, the other is a large land grant university in Michigan. How are they comparable other than both awarding bachelors degrees?

We’re talking about quality of education. I mean if you want to pay 80K to be in Boston at a small school, then kudos to you. But others were asking for excellent state schools that are cheaper and I provided two examples.

So how are they comparable? What makes the quality of education at Michigan State comparable to Tufts?

That’s what I’m asking. People seem to think that Tufts is superior. I haven’t seen any quantifiable evidence that the education itself is that much better. Until I do, I don’t see a difference with most colleges. And I don’t see the point of paying so much for location or name brand. But that’s just me.

It may not be superior in the ways you are referring to - but the student experience at Tufts and Michigan St are very different (and this is not to say Tufts is better...for example if you like big school sports...).

People who have the money to pay for it, are willing to let their children choose where they want to go. For Tufts families, it's going to school in Boston. I often think the people complaining about the tuition are the ones that can't afford it. I get that for people who wish they could hand their kids an open slate to consider colleges....but no need for others to lash back on whether it's worth it or not. And for worthiness - NO - it is not worth going into huge debt to pay for a private college when you have other options that are more affordable.

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Anonymous wrote:William and Mary. Half the price.

+1. I don't think Tufts is a good school. Maybe it has improved but it's always been a Vanderbilt-eque school in my mind. A private, expensive, mid-range school for kids that want to stay private. Think SMU.

So I'd prefer any of the public schools in the area - UMD, UVA, VaTech, W&M, etc. over Tufts any day. I don't see the draw.
Maybe Ivies are worth the sticker shock but even then I think they're overpriced. You're paying for the name brand, OP. You can get better deals and state schools. But most people want prestige so they buy the Audi even though the Toyota lasts much longer for 1/2 the price.

Vanderbilt vs. UMD/VaTech/W&M vs Tufts?
Major dependent i think?
For a humanities/Econ type major…

For my kids, I’d pick:
Vanderbilt
Tufts
UMD/VT/W&M

I would disagree. Most Vandy / Tufts grads that I know have been middle of the road type students. Nothing stellar but still go on to have good careers. I have not seen anything impressive from either school - which leads me to believe that they're not worth the money.

Admittedly, I am biased. I graduated from a big state school and paid significantly less to now out earn many of my private school friends. Subjective? Yes, but I've not seen these private unis earn their tuition rates.

If the outcome for a middle of the road student is a good career, how does that compare to the average Florida State or Michigan State grad (to use to previous schools posited as comparable)

That was my point. The results from Vanderbilt or Tufts are no different than a solid state school like Fl St, M St, or similar. So why pay more? Not worth it.

But those results are the same as Ivy's. I mean, people go to college and then they have careers. A handful go on to be a supreme court justice or something, but that is very rare, even for elite schools.

Which is why we need to quash the myth that if you pay more, you get more. It's just not true. You can get the same education and/or outcome by going to a state school as you would by going Ivy. It's about what you put into it. This is why overpaying, taking out loans, or putting down $80k/year that YOU DO NOT HAVE is absolutely bananas. If you are rich and can sneeze $400K tuition, this conversation is not for you. The rest of us who need to think about spending should not fall prey to the name brand nonsense. It's just that. Marketing hype.