I was accepted to Princeton early action this year.
However, now it comes down to paying for it.
Because my family does not qualify for much aid (if any at all)…
I’m starting to wonder if Princeton (or any school) is worth paying 60k a year for.
Anyone at Princeton (or another school) who is paying 40-60k a year for college? Do you regret your decision? Is it worth it?
I want to major in Political Science so I feel like connections matter, but not sure if it’s worth the cost?
Thoughts?
Well this is a topic often discussed here. It is usually something most parents would want to figure out ahead so if the answer is no, you don’t apply and put the student in a position like this, ha ha. So where is the money coming from? Your own savings, your parents? A college fund they saved for you all your life? Or borrowing? There is no one size fits all answer about worth because different people have different values and different pocketbooks. There are parents on this board who did have this sort of funds saved and were happy for the kid to have a college of choice. But most people really aren’t in a position for that. If it has to be borrowed then it is likely just not wise is all, it isn’t a question of ‘worth it’. I do know a brother and sister who were given 250,000 each to spend on college or keep if they went to a lesser college. One spent it on Williams. The other took a full tuition offer (still a very nice college) and kept the rest. But I think it ended up going toward med school.
If your goal is receiving a political science education and connections to turn your education into a successful career, Princeton is one of the best universities to make it happen. Having a Princeton degree would be a direct investment to your career.
41% percent of Princeton students do not receive need-based grants from their university. A decision to place yourself in that same category would certainly have ample precedent.
About half of it my parents would pay for, then the rest I would need to take out loans.
In terms of political science, how much of a benefit would Princeton give me versus a public state school?
Can someone who is a current student paying a hefty price tell me specifics that made paying for college worth it?
I love Princeton. But I really do want to think more before paying 200k+ over the next four years.
I’m also nervous as to whether there is a benefit to attending an ivy league school.
I am afraid that I will get a degree and not be able to find a job. Of course this could happen if I attended community college as well, but at least then I wouldn’t be in debt?
If I do decide to attend Princeton, I will be broke. Will this detract from the college experience? I know this sounds superficial, but if friends want to go out for dinner or see a movie, I will have to tell them “sorry I can’t do that because it costs.”
Just a bit of background…I am from South Dakota. There’s really not much for me to do here. Princeton’s proximity to Philadelphia and New York City are really factors that draw me to it. I have never been to either city, and I was hoping that I would finally get the chance to travel and see NYC for the first time! However, at this rate, to save money, I doubt I will be able to travel.
How important is name brand for political science majors? I am also considering switching to econ if that doesn’t work out…
That depends on a few things:
You are in a very enviable spot: you have been accepted to the most undergrad-focused member of the elite HYPSM quintet. Congratulations!
If it were me, I’d have to come across a really outstanding offer at another elite school – much better FA than P’ton offered – to consider going somewhere other than P’ton. In my opinion, no US university offers a better undergraduate education than Princeton.
I’m not so sure that the choice must be between Princeton at 200k vs. your public state school, especially since yours happens to be Univ. of South Dakota (#105 Public National University out of 50 states…). There are many excellent schools (perhaps Duke, USC, Case Western, UNC, and others) that would offer sizable merit aid to a Princeton-caliber student.
I guess my question just boils down to what benefits I would get as a Princeton grad instead of as a StateU grad.
You won’t qualify for more than $5500 in student loans for your first year of college (or more than $27K total for 4 years).Your parents (not you) would have to borrow the remaining ~$100K+.
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized
It sounds like you can’t afford Princeton.
Well, you’re right: nothing is guaranteed.
That is a mature realization.
It is likely, however, that if you are diligent you will be presented with better career opportunities – more job options, higher-paying jobs, or both – at Princeton (vs. the state school).
But you do need to put forth effort… regardless of the school you attend. Life is work. 
How is NJ colder than the Dakotas?
edit note: sub in South Dakota everywhere I said North…
My parents would pay the entire thing but I’m expected to pay them back at least half… For clarification
Princeton has great financial aid. You basically won the lottery. Apply for aid, get a campus job, they will make it affordable.
These are not downsides at all. First, double major is not worth much. Employers don’t care, grad school doesn’t care. So why is it you care? Just so you don’t have to pick? You can always take classes in the other area without jumping through the hoops and dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s with every requirement that having a formal extra major entails. Not sure how you think not having a large grad school affects you. They are a research institution and you will get research opportunities. You can do independent work with a prof if you think you need grad level coursework. You can always go to a grad school when you are ready. Do you think undergrads are really mingling with Harvard Business school?
So what is the consequence if you don’t/can’t? Does it mean they have no retirement and are busted? Or does it mean they don’t get a few luxuries like a new lamborghini for Dad? Do you want to spend the next 20 years paying them back instead of saving your own money and having your own car/home etc? Will you want to have to pass on that great Jr job in your field and instead try to work 80 hours a week at an investment bank trying to make huge piles of money? What are the terms of the parental loan? When do they expect or need it back. Are you supposed to get rich then?
Benefits? Well of course one of the best education experiences that money can buy with close relationships with amazing profs and amazing classmates. Truly a huge difference from your State U. A national and international network of friends. An opportunity to be a worldly cosmopolitan citizen. Entree into some opportunities that won’t be open to everyone, for sure. Of course you will get a job. No one can predict future economic cycles but even my dds class was doing okay graduating in the recession in 2009. The way you will get a job is by using the career services which will be on another level that your state u and the alumni network. Also internship opportunities help in giving you fodder for your resume and exposure to employers and employers will be recruiting you for those right and left. However, you aren’t going to make piles of money just in any field. Some pay well right away like investment banks but they churn and burn through people. And you wouldn’t get one of those jobs from your state u, no. Some jobs pay off in the longer run , and everyone starts at the same level Pton will just have more elite recruiting. Or perhaps you will take a job like my relative and be sent on a 2 year around the world program to prime you for management. Or perhaps you will be scrambling with everyone else to get a low paid aide job in politics just to get a foot in the door and hope to break out of the pack later. You don’t really know what you will want yet, but you will be exposed to the possibilities. What I’m trying to say above is that owing a huge pile of money to someone curtails opportunities in other ways.
If you apply to other schools, be sure to apply where they will give merit money. No need to apply to another one that doesn’t give any and isn’t as good. Some other schools can give you some of the benefits above without quite the pricetag. Unfortunately if you haven’t already you may have missed some deadlines. I’m actually going to see my relative this weekend if you want to PM me anything to ask him, perhaps i can start with "is Princeton worth it?’
If the OP’s parents can “afford to pay the entire thing” then s/he may not qualify for any need-based aid at all. However, if s/he was able to get into Princeton, then s/he almost certainly would qualify for big merit scholarships at many less selective colleges (although some application deadlines may have passed by now).
Princeton is excellent. The OP should be proud to have been accepted. Nevertheless, s/he likely has many good alternatives that don’t involve over $100K in debt. For families that are fortunate to have money and choices, there’s no foolproof formula to compare them. It comes down to a judgment call that presumably can wait until May, after all other offers are in.
What my question boils down to is…what connections can I get as a result of an alma mater.
From Eleana Kagan (US Supreme Court Justice) to George Rupp (former President at Columbia) to Neil Rudenstine ( former President at Harvard) to Richard Smalley (Nobel winner) to Cornel West (notable Black studies and civil rights activist) to Michell Obama and scores in-between the list is long and vast. In short, P has connections only a handful of schools can claim…
Speaking as a Princeton alumna and the mother of two Princeton students, in many ways Princeton has been one of the defining experiences of my life. First of all, there was the incredible undergraduate education and focus. I loved most of my undergraduate courses, was able to take graduate courses, made close connections with professors and learned among a group of peers, the vast majority of whom were really really smart. Second, there are the opportunities that Princeton provides - a paid bridge year, summer research money, courses where you get to travel for free (my son went to Europe for 8 days last year as part of one of his classes) etc. - basically, the school has money to spend on providing extraordinary experiences for its students. Third, there have been the friends and alumni connections I have made. Princeton alumni are incredibly fervent and loyal, and they go out of their way to help fellow Princetonians. Both my children have gotten jobs/internships as a result of Princeton - and the vast majority of Princeton students, even in the middle of the recession, were able to get jobs. And finally, and I hope this doesn’t sound arrogant, whenever people have asked me where I went to school and I say “Princeton,” they look at me a little differently - for many people, it automatically makes them think I’m smart and accomplished (whether warranted or not!).
I know there are other schools that convey some or all of these benefits. But Princeton is truly, in my judgment, a special place. If you really can’t afford it, then obviously you shouldn’t consider it, but if your parents are willing to fund it and it would not cause a significant change in their lifestyle or retirement plans, then I would strongly recommend the school.
And by the way, I know another student from South Dakota who graduated from Princeton a few years ago, who loved the school and didn’t find it particularly cold!
Thanks everyone for the advice! Currently waiting for regular decision results.
I’m also wondering if everything that was said here about Princeton would also apply to say, Yale, Brown, Columbia, Duke, etc?