Michigan LSA worth vs UMD in-state?

Mwfan1921
Thu, 11 Oct 2018 12:13:33 +0000

With the information you have given I would also favor UMD (assuming CP?) But, we are missing some key information, notably will your family be able to pay $220K+ for Michigan (NPC $55K from post #2) or would you/your parents have to take out loans? If so, how much?

I also believe that there are intangible benefits to top tier schools, such as your examples of Harvard and Chicago. However, as your projected path is a PhD, those benefits are typically not enough to overcome a difference in cash outlay of $200K+. If you do well at UMD, you will be able to get into top tier STEM PhD programs. If you do well at Michigan, you would also be able to get into the same top tier PhD programs, but would have spent a lot more money to realize the same outcome. Unless money is no object, I would advise you to choose UMD.

I also concur with @GoBlue81 that this calculation likely applies to any school on your list that would cost materially more than UMD, again assuming a PhD will be your likely path.