My son was accepted to UNC (wife and I are alums of the graduate school) and UVA (in-state) and we had the pre-paid tuition plan. Had he not been accepted to the film school, I'm not sure he would have gone to USC. While I like the school, we could have saved $50,000 to $100,000.

laloooji, in order to compare college costs you should be looking at Cost of Attendance (COA), not simply tuition cost. COA for USC w/NMF Presidential ($36,800) is about $5,250 more per year than COA UCLA ($31,544). Also, factor in some unknowns. The UCs have dramatically increased tuition the past two years and the governor is suggesting more increases are coming, while at the same time even more radically reducing UC budgets for next year. Some feel that will mean reduced classes offered, with continued increases in tuition. If so, UCs may soon be identical or even surpass the COA of USC with a 1/2 tuition merit award. Also consider the cost of attending a fifth year, something hard to avoid as major pre-reqs may be impossible to schedule. A fifth year would add another $31K in tuition (or more with probable increases) to the UC final tab. Then you must also add the lost wages from another year not producing income (a wasted year), which for engineering is a loss of perhaps $50-70K +. Attending one additional UG year at a UC would set a student back approx $80K-100K vs. a degree obtained over 4 years, more than cancelling out the $21K difference in the 4-year COA between the two schools. Are you still thinking "but the tuition at UCLA is $12,686 (2011-2012)" is cheaper?

Last time I looked, dorm/living expenses were calculated lower at USC than some of the UC's. Another reason to look at the COA, not just tuition.

lalooji - If you are certain about doing medicine in future, save the money but if it comes down to 5k like madbean is pointing out, then that is not enough savings to help.

I think the 20k you spend over 4 years will be returned to you in the connections and alum network you gain. Don't look at it as an extra 10k over poli sci degree for your brother since it is never what you start at that counts but what you make over a lifetime.

madbean: Yes, it is a concern as far as completing undergrad in 4 years. I know how much of a struggle it was in Cal Poly where my brother went but he did it (graduated last year). It is a valid point to be kept in mind

jazz: As far as living expenses go, I have to assume they are going to be same, especially if I live outside of campus, right? Not sure what the other expenses are - both in absolute terms and relative terms

texaspg: Yes, I am certain about medicine and that is the reason why I am looking at a long term cost (even though my first attempts at 7/8 year medical or BA/MD or BS/MD have not been very successful)

But it is funny that I am discussing all this without even getting acceptance/rejection for the scholarships not to think of actual admission. An update on that - I called USC yesterday and they told me that I didnt pay the Common App fee!!! I verified the CommonApp as well as the Credit Card statement and it was there, paid on 11/30. I sent in the receipts by uploading and faxing late last night. I dont know how adversely it is going to impact my chances for admission and scholarships with departments having already finalized their list - hope not!!

laloooji, I'm not sure why you'd "have to" assume the same off-campus living expenses in different cities. Some cities are more expensive than others, often by quite a bit.

jazz: sorry, I was doing it more as a comparison between UCLA and USC - so just the living expenses in LA

I see. I believe you will find private apartments (not the big institutionalized ones - they are expensive everywhere) to be much cheaper in the USC neighborhood than in Westwood. Just make sure you do your homework before assuming. (And this may even be taken into account in the two schools' COA estimates - if I recall, UCLA budgets more for living expenses than USC.)

Something else to consider in Westwood other than rent, it's much easier to spend/go out and eat, etc. in the Villlage. At USC, you kind of need to plan to go out to Hollywood, Downtown, etc.

If you are doing medicine, one important piece that should be part of your decision is to check on placements in med school.

texaspg: Are you referring to placements in med school from USC to USC Med school or in general USC to any med school? Not sure where to get this info..