Can anybody make a case for why it’s worth paying full-cost tuition at Cornell?
My DS plans to major in Global Development/Business at Cornell - he thoroughly researched the top-ranked program, which seems like a great fit for him.
But the cost is steep: $96K/year(this year will be a bit less thanks to outside scholarships), and we (he) will have to take out some loans to make it work.
Meanwhile, his best competitive offer is from University of Richmond , which would come in $35K cheaper per year. Case Western is another great option, but he ruled it out due to distance (we’re in Connecticut).
Is the extra $200,000 over four years for Cornell name, alumni network, recruiting opportunities, and campus experience worth it?
Are the clubs, research opportunities, and classes at potentially more beneficial?
Would love to hear from:
People who have chosen to pay full cost for Cornell or similar schools, especially compared to cheaper but still highly respected schools like Richmond.
Anyone with feedback or experience at University of Richmond—Why you chose? Not so well known here in Ct. Academic strength, outcomes, student life, etc.
Son’s heart is set on Cornell CALS. He thinks he doesnt mind the weather bc he is in love with the school. Finances will be very stressful but we can manage. He will have to work and take out loans which stresses me out to have to start off like that especially since he would like to go to law school. A few people said Cornell is not worth the name “it’s not a Harvard or Stanford“ I don’t know if that holds any Credence he really loves the program. Do you think it holds so much more advantage than a place like Richmond and exactly it’s seven or eight hours away. Richmond is getting more and more popular.
Depends on what he wants to do long term. Richmond Robins School of Business is an excellent program at a great school with very high job placement in the business program. Last year apparently 100% job placement. Not sure how that’s possible, but that’s what is indicated. This year placement was something like 99%. This is according to P&Q.
Sounds like many gain internships in DC area. Just up the 95.
Richmond is a pretty campus, decent weather, generally nice location, definitely a Southern vibe. Good sized LAC. Has a decent sized endowment.
However I hear and read that the school tends to not be as diversified.
If money is of no concern or little, Cornell may be the better choice if you don’t mind cold weather or more remote areas that is very beautiful but a bit remote.
If money is a concern, then Richmond is a very good choice especially if you want better weather with a larger town/city available such as Richmond or DC.
That says it all. With law school, your son is looking at 7 years of tuition + other costs. If he can graduate from college debt free, that is an enormous positive. You understand that in a way that an 18 year old does not.
And you’re right that Richmond is getting more popular. In just the past 4 years alone, applications at UR have increased by 25%. And this is especially true in the Northeast. Richmond once had the reputation as being the school where the “old money” in Virginia sent their kids. But now 55% of the students come from the I-95 Boston-Washington corridor with 7% from Connecticut. No longer the flavor of the Old South. Here’s the break down:
18% - Virginia
14% - New York
13% - New England
12% - New Jersey
11% - Pennsylvania
5% - Maryland/DC
This conversation is happening in our house too, with much stress. Engineering, and UMD as the alternative, and UIUC eliminated as you guys eliminated CWRU.
and p.s. at full pay, it’s completely a crazy amount of money. I don’t know your circumstances, but for us, about half the differential we told DS we would give him as a graduation present. At the “bottom” of the tier of full-pay, it’s very hard to manage the amount and we’ll likely have to reduce retirement savings (delay retirement) etc.
Richmond’s academic strengths include business, economics and international studies, as well as the core natural sciences of physics, chemistry and biology.
Thank you so much money is a big concern. Son doesn’t feel so comfortable at Richmond. May do global studies, political science not sure about business but this is comforting to hear. I appreciate your thoughts.
I didn’t realize that it was old money also even though it was heavily from the northeast I didn’t know if the name brand has any weight in the New York New Jersey Connecticut area.
IMO it’s not worth going into debt for Cornell especially if law school is in the horizon. Go to Richmond, knock it out of the park with GPA+LSAT and then go to the most prestigious law school you can.
I’d say that for anyone who has paid attention, Richmond has made a name for itself. For example, in U.S. News, it places between the NESCACs Middlebury and Colby.