ChelseaArganbrig

I got accepted to University of San Diego, but found out it's going to be $35,000 for one year (and i qualify for $29,000 in loans, which needs a cosigner because of my bad credit). After being accepted there, I started thinking about the possibility of going to the University of Massachusetts in Boston, which is $21,000 for out-of-state tuition. USD is private and UMass is public, but which one has the better reputation and prestige? I was also looking at Bridgewater State College in Mass, which would only be $12,500 for out-of-state tuition. i would really like to live back east, but don't want to relocate and turn down USD if it means I would just be moving to go down in reputation (college-wise).
Thank you

Saturated

I know that the umass boston has probably the worst reputation out of the umass schools, definitely worse than umass dartmouth and amherst. I dont know about the rep of USD but BSU dosent have a great rep either. Its an okay school but nothing too special.

LakeWashington

Try UMass-Lowell or Salem State College. Keep in mind that these are very LOCAL, regional colleges. Virtually all the underclassmen will be Massachusetts residents and probably come from towns not to far from campus.

MADad

I don't believe UMass-Boston has any dorms. It is located at a subway stop for commuters.

UMass-Lowell, Salem State and Bridgewater State all have dorms. Both Salem and Bridgewater aren't that small, close to 10K students each. In fact, there was a proposal recently to convert them to satellite campuses of UMass.

.lovelondon

Here in Massachusetts, Bridgewater State is not well regarded. Most people would rather go to a community college than there. No one actually says why though.

Although, if you want to go into education, Bridgewater would be a good school to go to. I'm pretty sure its ranked as one of the best teaching schools.

arose4emily

.lovelondon, It's not that Bridgewater State itself has a bad repuation; it has a pretty good campus and good courses (especially for education). It's not treated well by MA students because it's too close to home for lots of applicants. A fair number commute, and far more come home at least every other weekend.

For out-of-state students, those issues go away. Bridgewater has been a positive experience from what I've heard from classmates in terms of academic and extra-curriculars.

mikepr23

Umass boston definately isn't as good as the amherst campus but it is not the worst I live in massachusetts and everyone in my school regards it as the second best umass with dartmouth right behind it. My dad knows a Umass boston grad who is doing really well after he graduated from their. I just want to let you know that umass is an okay school but if money is the issue then shouldn't you apply to a state school in your state?

TinyCoxswain

USD is supposed to be beautiful, and definitely UMass Amherst has the best reputation as far as all the UMass options. Both will be a good choice though! UMass will still end up being kind of expensive, and the same type of experience as applying to a college in your state will be, but that would be much less money. Good luck!