is it worth it to go to a top but expensive university

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m a senior and applied to top public schools like UC Berkeley, which is my dream school. However, with no scholarships and just looking at the fees, I’m feeling kinda iffy about it. I’ve heard way too much about graduates stressing over student debt. </p>

<p>Would I get paid by employers a significant amount more or something?</p>

2

<p>It’s always relative. What are your other options? How much debt are we talking about? </p>

<p>Would you get paid ‘a significant amount more’ for Berkeley? No. Would it make any difference? Depends on the field. Some industries/employers care - most don’t.</p>

3

<p>If you want to know about job and career prospects, see here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Note that major appears to make a big difference – much more so than the school in most cases.</p>

4

<p>Note that you, the student, can only borrow $5500 as a freshman. Any amount above that will have to be borrowed by your parents. Are they willing to do that?</p>

5

<p>This is among the most discussed topics on CC. You could look at some of the archives for longer, more complete responses. </p>

<p>An in-depth answer to this question would cover a textbook. I think the general consensus among most is that</p>

<p>-college brand is important, but how much you fit in on campus is more important
-major trumps university name
-for most people, it is probably better not to go into major debt</p>

<p>If you are an OOS, Berkeley will be as expensive as the top private schools. And the school is geared toward the highly pro-active, assiduous, resilient individual.</p>