He’s assuming NMF for Bama so essentially free - the offset covers most if food but even a Masters may be free. Some do that with the 5th year - whether in engineering as he’s studying or STEM to MBA (which I don’t love timing wise but for someone not interested in an mba later would be ok)
I don’t think this is a money decision. If you read up thread, it’s parental pressure toward UTK based on overall school rank.
Bama NMF
- Value of tuition for up to five years or 10 semesters for degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate or law studies
- Four years of undergraduate on-campus housing at regular room rate* (based on assignment by Housing and Residential Communities)
- $4,000 per year undergraduate supplemental scholarship for four years**
- $2,000 one-time allowance for use in research or international study (after completing one year of study at UA)
UTK is about $27k direct billed. The Hope gives $4500 the first two years then $5700. So year 1 is $22k ish. Best case but not necessarily another $9k ish. OP didn’t say but it’s $3-9k the scholarship he won. So maybe $13k unless he wins full tuition - one from every county.
This is hypothetical. He has lots more apps out.
The parents see UTK as higher ranked I believe - in us news 109 / 171.
Only in US News ( and @coolguy40) would anyone not see these for what they are - identical solid SEC state schools. But environmentally and special program wise they differ - Bama has McCullough Medical. UTK has Grand Challenges.
I don’t think cost is the issue although if he gets into the ‘more prestigious’ schools applied to it may then become so. OP is aware of loan impact on further schooling.