Hi everyone! I am having some trouble trying to decide between these two schools and I just wanted to gain some new perspectives on my situation. For both schools, I am undecided, but am interested in CS. I’m also a girl if that helps!
Starting with Lehigh: I was admitted into the Explore Lehigh program (if anyone has any extra insight or info into that program that would be very much appreciated!) for my first semester. I am still somewhat undecided in what I want to pursue but I have interests in tech and am considering transferring into the CSB program. COA for my first year is ~36k which was an amazing surprise (essentially the same as Penn State), but I am also kinda scared that it will start to look more expensive as the years go by. I really do like Lehigh and what it has to offer (especially with the outcomes of CSB and the UN partnership) but I am just having some doubts on the financial end. My parents will be covering my first year and will offer help here and there, but otherwise the costs become my responsibility.
For Lafayette: COA here is ~26k because I was awarded a Cur Non scholarship in addition to my aid. I like the liberal arts vibe and the opportunity to receive a more well rounded education. While I feel more confident about financials here, I feel that I don’t really know that much about their CS department and outcomes (when compared to Lehigh). Also I thought when I was applying that I wanted to study engineering, but now I’m not so sure about that path and I don’t know if that would make Laf a less viable option since their engineering programs are very well respected.
I guess my main question here would be if Lehigh would be worth an extra 40k or potentially more over Lafayette in terms of career outcomes, especially in the tech field. I will most likely be staying in the Northeast after graduation, but I would also like to potentially have an opportunity to work in the West. While I am considering law school and grad school, it realistically won’t be a major consideration unless I receive scholarships or have a company assist in covering the costs.
Honestly I could totally see myself in either environment! They are both close to home, which is super convenient. I would be open to rushing a sorority but its not something that would make or break my experience. Ideally, I would want an environment that is strong socially and academically - of course with CS I’ll be cognizant with time needed for studying but I also like having access to a vibrant campus culture.
I also think it would be useful to clarify how you intend to finance the full four years.
But I would note that although Lafayette is a relatively rare LAC with a robust engineering program, that is certainly not ALL they do. In fact in the latest NCES data cohort, less than 1/4 of graduating seniors had a primary major in engineering.
So personally, I would not worry about the possibility your interests could lead you into a different path at Lafayette.
I wouldn’t assume better tech outcomes. I don’t see either showing salary data Laf has a non salary outcome page.
I would assume $26k or $36k and there’s inflation - if the parents aren’t paying, how will you ?
Maybe best to live home, go to CC and use that money in year 3 and then worry about year 4. Or find a local to you public where their money can last two years.
The where doesn’t matter. How will you pay does? And no, loans are not a realistic option.
College has a cost - and you need a budget and then to live within it.
Before you even determined who to apply to, you needed a budget and payment plan. Still do - maybe it becomes Millersville or Stroudsburg etc. or whatever four year is drivable from home.
Thanks for your responses! It will be a mixture of savings plans, work study/on campus jobs, and taking out loans. I am also trying my best to apply for external scholarships, but I am not sure if it is possible to amass enough. I have also been working two jobs the past two summers (saved 10k) and will be working them this year. I will likely be living with my parents for at least a year following graduation to help save costs as well if that helps. I apologize if I have been coming off as too ignorant or naiive - my parents have discussed these specifics with my older sibling and will have me do the same plan. My parents will help contribute to my payments once I have graduated and which will make it a shared effort - they will also help pay for my classes if I earn a 4.0
Both are excellent LAC/small schools and both are party schools (especially Lehigh !!!). But, serious students at each school. Engineers really know how to “let off steam”.
As you seem undecided, go with the lower cost option.
FWIW I am familiar with both schools.
P.S. A better label for Lafayette is it is a “work hard, party hard” school as described by the Fiske Guide To Colleges. Lehigh, although similarly described, takes it to another level.
You can do well from both schools and you like them both. Since finances are an issue, I’d go with Laf as the lower cost option.
For full disclosure my D graduated from Laf and had a wonderful experience in every respect.
I would take issue with two comments above. First Lehigh is a mid-sized university, not a LAC. Second, my D would not categorize Laf as a '“party school.” She was in a sorority and had an active social life but it seemed to be a combination of some parties, hanging with friends, etc. -people can find the social scene they want.
You can’t borrow that much is the problem. The feds limit you to $27K over four years - with good reason. You can take out private loans with your parents co signing - but they will be high interest and will likely force you to do things you don’t want to do in life - just to keep up. And getting a 4.0 is not a given, especially in these majors. In fact, it will be highly unlikely.
You need a new plan. Your plan of these two schools is not workable.
So the $26K/$36K doesn’t include room and board - which is another high teens a year? And not every school will allow you to live home.
In your case, I’d choose to stay home, go to CC and re-assess in two years.
But if you have to pick one, it’s Lafayette because it mitigates your risk by $40K + inflation.
But can you explain the live at home for a year after graduation. If you mean college graduation, how can you say that? If you’re fortunate enough to have a job, how can you ensure where that job will be??
Congrats on great acceptances, etc but your plan is fraught with risk to your future. And I’d hate for your future to be heavily strained before it starts.
Both excellent schools. I’d go with the cheaper option given your financial circumstances. I do question how you are going to afford to finance years 2-4. At the lowest cost option, that’s $78k and, realistically it’s going to be more as tuition goes up each year. As a student you may borrow $27k total. That leaves $50k and I don’t see how you’ll make that. It took you 2 summers to amass $10k so even if you’re able to keep that pace and earn another $20k in your 4 college summers, you’d still be short (any $ you make from work study isn’t going to cover that). You need to speak with your parents about a realistic plan or some alternatives (they may mistakenly believe you can borrow a lot more than you can).
That’s an unreasonable amount of pressure to put on you to have to make a 4.0 in order for your parents to pay for your education. Keep in mind too, that if you do decide to rush a sorority, there are extra costs involved in paying dues for sororities and it can be very expensive. As for cost, in your situation, there’s nothing wrong with Lafayette. It provides excellent opportunities and I wouldn’t waste much time thinking about outcome as it’s clear both your goals may change and life circumstances and career paths can change, and those numbers have their limitations as has been explained elsewhere. There are some places, including an organization that sponsors this very website, that offers loans that don’t require cosigning, but they can be expensive and it’s not a wise thing to saddle yourself with a lot of debt from undergrad.
Have you visited both? Which did you like better initially? Seems like attending Admitted Students Day events would help. Those events helped my DS tremendously a couple of years ago.
Lafayette is 26k per year and that does not include spending money. Taking a year off after your freshman year to earn money for the remaining years is not a realistic plan.
you cannot get loans on your own for 3 years to afford Lafayette or Lehigh
if your parents co-sign private loans, they are liable if you can’t/don’t pay (and it affects their credit and ability to borrow on purchases for themselves)
costs of the schools will go up each year (but scholarship amounts do not)
you do not want to get out of school with over $60k of debt - it is stressful to have that hanging over your head and will limit your options
I’ve heard kids say “what is $60k in debt? I will make that at my first job and pay off my loans”. Well, if you make $60k you will not be bringing home $60k. Plus you will have expenses, even if living at home. (You are better off living at home for a year after graduation to save/build a nest egg than paying off debt).