Need help choosing where to go after high school [GMU $20k commuting, VT $45k, $13-14k parent contribution]

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Hi, Im currently a senior in highschool and Im struggling to pick between Virginia Tech or George Mason.

The net price per year at GMU would be around around 20k because I would be living at home. The net price per year at Vtech would be around 45k. My parents will only contribute around 13-14k per year (minimum).

Im wasn’t very sure while applying what I really want to do in the future. I applied to GMU as a biology major and for Vtech I got in for medicinal chemistry. Now after research and talking with relatives, I want to pursue the cybersecurity field.

Im torn between the two because of the financial cost and the social life. GMU is good for close proximity internships and good if you want to get a job in NOVA area. I’ve always wanted to go to virginia tech and went on their tours and loved the environment (I hate GMU campus).

If I choose to go to VT, I would have to change my major after the 1st year due to a policy (you cannot switch majors the first year if you aren’t in the same school)

If I choose to go the GMU, I would have more flexibility in changing but I would live at home and wont experience the college traditional life I’ve dreamed of.

Ive been told there isn’t a difference between the job acceptances here in NOVA. I also have a relationship (im not putting this as a priority). I am middle class and got no financial aid

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Where would the rest of the money come from? You can only borrow a small amount yourself. Would your parents be willing to co-sign a loan?

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Unfortunately VTech is unaffordable. GMU living at home looks barely affordable with loans and likely part time work.
If you commute, do the work to create an on-campus life. Don’t just go to class and go home – study at the library, see if there is a commuter meal plan and have lunch on campus with friends, join clubs, go to weekend events, etc. It may not be the experience you dreamed of, but you can make it work and most importantly you will get a college education.

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Zero to be confused about. You can borrow $27K over four years - total, $5500 the first year.

You have no choice but to go to GMU, a fine school.

Best of luck.

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