Is It Worth It? Indiana University Bloomington

SoCal18 · 12-01-2007, 03:28 PM

So I was crunching some numbers, and I realized that if I go to Indiana I would have to take out roughly 65k in loans. This translates into $500-1000/month over a 10-25yr period. So now I'm going through a dilemma...Is IU worth it over SDSU? I plan to major in Finance, and IU's program is excellent, as is the average starting salary of an IU grad. And maybe since I'll be in finance, I will understand ways to decrease the capital at a much faster rate, who knows?

My parents clearly want me to go to SDSU, and they know I would pretty much graduate debt free -- and they want that for me. But I really think IU is the best place for me. And although this is just speculation, I think I would have a better college experience and I truly believe I will have a better future and career if I go there.

But I really don't know. Maybe my gut is overpowering my brain...or maybe IU is really worth the extra 65k. So I was just wondering your opinion. With your knowledge of IU, SDSU, or financing education in general, do you believe it is worth it?

Thank you so much.

Also, I'm still waiting on UMiami, Pepperdine, LMU, and I have also been accepted to Florida State and UPortland. But I'm almost positive that IU and SDSU will be my final two choices.

dstark · 12-01-2007, 03:54 PM

No. I would not want my kids to have that kind of debt coming out of college.

Another choice is community college for two years and then transfer to UCSB, UCLA or Berkeley.

Check out SBCC.

Check out Arizona or ASU. They might give you a scholarship.

Or go to SDSU.

SoCal18 · 12-01-2007, 03:58 PM

Thanks for your opinion dstark.

With your scenarios, I would definitely go to SDSU.

Any other thoughts?

dstark · 12-01-2007, 04:02 PM

Have you spent anytime at SDSU? Most college kids are happy with their schools and are happy their age.

My daughter's best friend goes to Arizona. Business major. 3.9 gpa. Likes the school. Isn't going to live in Arizona, but she likes the school.

SoCal18 · 12-01-2007, 04:23 PM

I actually haven't been to the SDSU campus, but I have been to San Diego many times. San Diego is the greatest city on earth. I'm not saying I wouldn't like SDSU, because I know for a fact that I would love to go there. I have a friend there, and SDSU sounds amazing.

I'm just saying that IU is better....and I feel their business program will present me with a great amount of opportunities.

And I looked into U of A and ASU, but I decided that SDSU was a better option than both of those schools for me...so I decided not to apply.

dstark · 12-01-2007, 04:45 PM

San Diego State University - Marketing & Communications

From this link....

"One in seven adults in San Diego who holds a college degree attended SDSU."

If you want to live in San Diego someday, I don't think Indiana is necessarily better. There are a lot of SDSU alumni in San Diego. My guess is their allegiance will be to SDSU grads before IU grads.

As you know SDSU has a pretty good business school.
Life is what you make it anyway.

Passion=life · 12-01-2007, 05:02 PM

IMHO, it seems like you favor IU over SDSU for the sake of a "better" program...BUT if San Diego is "the greatest city on earth" to you, why not go there? There is an arguement of better/greater oppurtunities at IU, but who says you can't seek out your own great oppurtunities coming from SDSU? It seems like SDSU would be the better fit and FREE!

I might have cross-posted with dstark but...well...you get the point,lol.

dolfan32323 · 12-01-2007, 05:04 PM

Kelley is a fantastic business school (IU). It's a tough choice... go with your gut instinct.

SoCal18 · 12-01-2007, 05:53 PM

It's not only the fact that IU's business program is great, I just love everything about IU. The campus looks absolutely amazing, and I really want to experience a new part of the country during my college years -- and for some reason I think the Midwest would be a great fit for me. The Big 10 atmosphere is exactly what I want. I love football more than anything, and I would attend every game cheering on the Hoosiers. Basketball and soccer are also very important to me. School spirit is huge for me, and I feel it's a necessity in my future college. IU was also rated the #6 college sports town, and I would love to be in a city like that. And a college town is really appealing to me. I'm really into the whole college experience thing, and I think it would be nice to have every student and everything synonymous with the college. I'm also very interested in sports management (my potential minor) as well, and IU has a great program. And my dream is to work for ESPN, and Bristol, CT is pretty close to Indiana. I'm also interested in being on the school paper. I'm currently the entertainment editor for my high school, and supposedly Indiana has a great newspaper. Indiana was also on Princeton Review's list for happiest students, and campusdirt.com raves about IU's student body. I'm also interested in experiencing the cold and the snow....I want to pick up snowboarding and skiing. And I love how IU is a huge school, but with a community feeling. I'm not a fan of commuter schools. Every time someone asks why would you want to go to Indiana...I just list a billion reasons, bc I know it's where I'm supposed to go.

So to sum it all up....Indiana is the perfect school, and that is why I would go into debt for it. My gut is telling me that I am meant to be a Hoosier...but my brain doesn't think it is worth it.... financially speaking.

SoCal18 · 12-01-2007, 06:02 PM

I'm also considering that Indiana's average starting salary will most likely be higher than an SDSU grad, and that the cost-of-living in the Midwest or Bristol, CT area is significantly cheaper than LA and San Diego.

Passion=life · 12-01-2007, 06:18 PM

"So to sum it all up....Indiana is the perfect school, and that is why I would go into debt for it. My gut is telling me that I am meant to be a Hoosier...but my brain doesn't think it is worth it.... financially speaking."

Not sure about how to quote but....

OH! Everything makes SO much sense now...it didn't come across like you had THIS much interest invested in IU. From a fellow ponderer I would say that a college education is worth the monetary investment (I think some parents would agree with me, maybe...kinda...) AND dude, you make it seem as if the only thing not already at IU is your physical body itself...lol. I say...GO FOR IT, and maybe ignore my other post...I was actually tempted to apply to IU

P.S. here's a quote to make you feel better..."If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." - Derek Bok (I think, where's my AP Eng teacher when I need her? lol)

Best of luck to you!

SoCal18 · 12-01-2007, 06:29 PM

Thanks for the words of encouragement...

The University of Miami has been my #1 for the past 2 years...but I realized that IU should have been it all along. I wouldn't go into debt for UMiami, but I'm thinking I will for IU.

GO HOOSIERS!!!!!

Thanks again.

bus52 · 12-01-2007, 07:17 PM

I am counselor at a public high school in CA and am all for the CSU system. SDSU has a very good business program and San Diego is a great place to live. With that being said, here are a few things you may or may not know:

The average student can take over 5 years to graduate-one student we had who attended finally resorted to driving up to CSU Fullerton to get his last few classes. Very, very impacted here. When you visit, ask around. I'm sure you will find this to be true.

The cost of attendance at SDSU is $17,000+ for living on campus. I know you have "no tuition" but the fees, living expenses etc. add up. San Diego is expensive. Look it up CSUMentor

If you were elegible for Cal Grant, you will not get any $ if you go to school out of state.

In the end, you want to be happy with your choice. I don't really hear passion from you about SDSU....ALso, you mentioned several pricey private schools but focused on Indiana. Only you know if it's worth the money. You are the one going to school everyday and living the life. You should make the choice. You.

I also suggest looking into the books College *******. I recently added these to my office collection and they are a huge hit with the seniors. There is great info,from enrolled students, on SDSU. They rank and discuss all sorts of areas. Not sure about Indiana.

Good luck and go with your gut.

bus52 · 12-01-2007, 07:22 PM

This board won't let me name the book series College *******. Too bad- they are quite excellent!

SoCal18 · 12-01-2007, 07:46 PM

Yeah I have read the college ******* guides for Miami, SDSU, LMU, and Pepperdine. I really like the college ******* guides...very informative. I however, haven't read the IU one.

But for Indiana, I have looked on this website, campus dirt, princeton review, students review, vault, youtube, and theu. I've read thousands of quotes and watched tons of videos.