<p>If I choose to attend USC, I’ll be looking at around $80,000 in debt with no future scholarships. I plan to apply for quite a few, but I can’t assume I’ll get any money. I’ve done my research on if this number is just too large, but I get different responses from different sources. Is this really TOO much? I have much cheaper, highly ranked options (UVA), but USC is my first choice. I’m a computer science major, and I know that USC will offer me the best research/intern opportunities alongside my education.</p>
<p>It is too much. Please go to UVA. It is a wonderful option! Don’t saddle yourself with that much debt.</p>
<p>I agree with NC Mom.</p>
<p>But…</p>
<p>Comp Sci is the sort of major that may lead to high paying career. My S1 has a friend who was offered between $100,000 - $200,000 as starting salary (!!!) with BS from Viterbi.</p>
<p>I have to agree with the moms. UVA is an excellent school and the price difference makes it even more attractive. 80K is an enormous amount to pay back and this would limit your future choices.</p>
<p>Fermat, spent four of the best years of my life at UVA! DS is a Comp Sci major at USC. UVA is a wonderful place and DS could have easily found himself there if he didn’t have a film interest too! Have you visited both schools?</p>
<p>Unfortunately my parents aren’t willing to pay $1,000 to fly to California for a visit. I live in Virginia. Funny that you bring up film because I’ve always had a pretty strong interest in it. However, I never planned on pursuing it in college, and it’s always been more of a self-study sort of thing. Many great filmmakers are self taught anyway, and of course, that will clearly be me some day. Jokes aside, that is still another plus of USC, but I believe I’ll probably go with UVA because of debt.</p>
<p>Fermat: I’m in a similar situation, trying to choose between peer schools. I have a great preference for USC, but just like you, it is looking like huge debt and a massive difference from my other highly ranked options (Rochester/Emory). Have you tried appealing financial aid at USC? I am doing everything I can to work out something with the school, but if they won’t budge or help me at all, USC won’t really be an option and I will likely end up at Emory.</p>
<p>$80,000 would be too much for me. While generous, USC’s financial package for my daughter is not enough and my daughter will not be attending USC.</p>
<p>I really have no basis to appeal my financial aid. I could easily go to USC with what I was offered; it will just result in a lot of loans that I don’t want. I’ve looked into appealing, but I don’t see why they would grant me any more money. Maybe if I show them I definitely would go if I got more money? I looked this up on the USC website but couldn’t find anything useful for my situation. Do you have a link or something helpful on this?</p>
<p>Fermat, occasionally USC will add small scholarships towards the end of April to entice students, but they usually are only a few thousand. With UVA being instate for you, it is a great option. We were out of state so the difference wasn’t the same. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>$80k for undergrad debt is way too much. Don’t do it. $80k + accruing interest is well over 100k.</p>
<p>If you are going to be a CS major, there’s a good chance you’ll find a decent job after graduation with a starting salary of 50-70k, or possibly higher if you are that smart (i.e. Apple or HP hires you).</p>
<p>Otherwise, go somewhere else.</p>
<p>No way would I incur $80K of debt for myself or my parents for a CS major. You’ll be lucky if your first job offer has a salary at that level, it will take ~10 years to repay the debt, you won’t qualify for a home loan with that amount of debt. I know too many people who are married, both have student loan debts, paying for 10+ years $500-$600 per month to repay student loans, and they have a combined income of $120K per year. Nope, I’m not doing it…</p>
<p>Don’t do it. Not worth it.</p>
<p>UVA for sure. Either way you are going to have a great college experience, so save yourself some money. If you can go to a good school and not be in debt after graduation you are envied by majority of college students/graduates.</p>
<p>Average student loan debt is $25k; from a top university, maybe maximize it to 35k. But 80k is way too much.</p>
<p>I am in the exact same position! USC is my top choice, but the University of Miami offered me a lot more money. I’m on the Business track though. A lot of people are telling me the debt’s not worth it… but it’s my dream to go to USC! This is by far the hardest decision of my life. Has anyone heard of getting the scholarships they supposedly offer to returning 2nd/3rd/4th year students?</p>
<p>I know a guy who was admitted to USC and chose to attend. He was fortunate to get awesome scholarships and grants and was absolutely thrilled. He’s a top rate jazz musician and plays trumpet. He was accepted to Thornton School of Music. Anyway…fast forward. His scholarships/grants were not going to be large enough beyond his sophomore year and his family could no longer afford to send him to USC. He had to transfer to CSU Long Beach. Thank goodness he’s enjoying their music program, but I felt bad for him. I know that he really liked the music school at USC. This is one of the reasons my daughter chose not to attend USC. No guarantee that she would get any or enough grant money beyond her freshman year. Not to mention she wasn’t thrilled that she would need to take out loans and we would still have to pay $27,000+ a year out of pocket. Not worth it for undergrad education, in our opinion. Best wishes with your decision!</p>