Carnegie Mellon worth the cost?

mom2012and14
Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:44:54 +0000

The analysis is not whether a school is worth the “debt”.

The issue is what price will you pay for x and y-- the fact that you pay for it later makes it debt…but you must decide if you want to pay for it. Is CMU worth $15k more than North Carolina State per year-- that answer is crystal clear and resounding yes!

fineartsmom is on target-- potential differences in marginal earnings or opportunity for grad school for the specific degrees are relevant. Opportunity for internships while in school also relevant.

There is no way you can compare NC State to CMU-- I know that sounds harsh–it’s reality. If you were comparing Ohio state to Michigan state to NC state…comparable. CMU is comparable to MIT, Cornell, Stanford, RPI…
The price tag reflects the differences in value for engineering for the options presented.
That is not to say anyone should borrow huge sums- that is nuts. Attempt to work in the summer and during the school yr-- that reduces $8k a year alone, and cut expenses…

One cannot borrow $20k a year anyway- there is a max on student loans.
Cut that by earnings and you will be fine. CMU students do not have much difficulty with securing internships and employment (unless they are 2.0 students perhaps).

If CMU Admissions admitted you- they are confident you will succeed here-- you have the record of academic success that places you well well well above and beyond the average or even top student at NC State.

Good luck!