How much $$$ to pay for a higher ranked school ?

College Search & Lists
1

I have been accepted to many good schools. Like most I applied to safety (and rec’d significant scholarships), target / reach schools. Now the question is how much a year is a higher ranked school worth.

Univ of South Carolina would run me approx $23k ( in - state tuition scholarship)-vs- William and Mary at $50k. Then there is Indiana Univ at $40k - I have been to all and realize they are very different but there as aspects of each that I like and I feel I can be happy where ever I go. All three have the major ( business or int’le business with double major in chinese) I am looking for. Finally waitlisted at U Michigan but chance of getting in there is remote from what I have read.

I do not know how to “weight” the difference in price with the difference in school ranking as it relates to getting a job and how future employers “value” the school on my resume.

My parents are equally confused (I am the oldest of 3 children). While they have properly saved for me to go to college we are just baffled by the extreme difference in cost. On top of tuition there is wanting to go on spring break and possibility of needing a car as all schools are not near my home (I live in NYC).

2

Do you have automatic admit to Kelley? If so, W&M should be out.

Are any admits to language flagship programs?

These are annual costs?

3

Run the numbers here, and talk with your parents about what the savings could mean for everyone in your family: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml

4

@purpletitan Yes direct admit to Kelley and admission into the Chinese flagship program at IU and Bloomington is great

USC has Darla Moore (#1 undergraduate int’le business school) and a strong Chinese program

Yes there are annual cost so after 4 years IU would be $68,000 difference

5

The car is probably a want more than a need for a college student.

6

@purpletitan - I feel I should scrap W&M also but was so proud to have been accepted when I see others who were denied. On the other hand USC and IU have been pursuing me for months. I really loved the W&M campus but the $$ difference is crazy.

@happymomof1 -thanks so much will look at this

7

I’d choose Kelley and the Chinese flagship.

It really depends on how much your parents can/want to pay, however.

8

Regardless of what you decide on for college, if you are looking to improve your Chinese during college, look into the full merit scholarships in critical language study offered by the US State Dept. http://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/critical-language-scholarship-program

9

Indiana is nearly $70,000 (over 4 years) more expensive that USC… sure, for Wharton, I think it might be worth that extra money, but not Indiana. Go to USC.

10

Possibly true, but a car is more of a need than spring break revelry (although USC is a lot closer to the great beaches than any of the other schools). If the OP will be interning anywhere other than NYC, the car becomes a necessity.

11

Are you a direct admit to Carolina’s Int’l Business program? It is very competitive to get into as a junior but possible. Are you in the SC Honors College?

12

@doschicos - thanks for this link - wish I knew about this sooner.

@harvardandberkeley - this is what I am thinking - the difference in $$ is crazy

@LuckyCharms913 - Not a direct admit to Darla Moore - did not know they did direct admit to Darla but that may be worth a call to USC to inquire. If I decide to go to USC it will be with the understanding that I get into Darla Moore - that will me my goal and pretty sure I can do that.

@joblue - yes the car thing is not a necessity but hoping to get a job and may need car to save on flights home, work and parents not having to drive 12 hours each way. Totally get not a necessity but clearly an easier decision if tuition is lower.

Thanks everyone - I realize I am very lucky to have these choices just seems crazy to me to spend so much more money for a BS when I may then decide to go for an advanced degree.

13

I think you can be directly admitted into the business school but only into int’l business under certain rules (as a freshman.) just something to consider. Also you can take Amtrak (times are kind of crazy and it is not cheap), fly into Charlotte instead of Columbia and take a shuttle, or rideshare (at least part of the way home) to avoid the car issue. Carolina has a lovely campus and the weather will be a nice change from NY.

14

@luckeycharms913 thanks for the feedback - I will reach out to USC on Monday to ask about direct admit.

My dad’s brother lives in Charlotte NC and they have offered to drive me down to USC -( my uncle played basketball at USC ( back in the 70’s) and they go down often as I have 2 cousins who also attend USC). I vistited the campus in December and it was 68 degrees - after this winter in NYC this is a positive - I also play basketball and the thought of being able to play outdoors for 8 months a year is awesome for me.

15

I’d pick Kelley + chinese flagship - Chinese Flagship is a nationally-ranked program and its opportunities are incredible (better than a regular language program, no matter how good); Kelley is also nationally known, although not #1 for international business.
Check about direct admit to Darla: if admission is competitive, then it’s not worth it to risk not getting in I understand the appeal of great weather though (and a very pretty Southern campus!)

16

@myos1634 thanks for your thoughts - did you decide where you will be going? If I remember it between IU and UMichigan.

17

No, I wasn’t going to college (I’m an adult). :slight_smile: