- Is cost of Caltech UG worth it? Imagine a scenario, if I give $250k to my son now, should he spend this money on a Caltech UG degree? Or save it for his future? If it helps, let us say this may be the only inheritance money he is likely to get from us. Based on a valuation of the tangible factors (course content, room & board), it is not worth $250K. However, the intangible factors (formation of lifelong friendships as students struggle to get through the curriculum together, opportunity to experience unique culture of pranks/traditions, test mettle against some of the "best and brightest" and develop professional connections through professors and alums) made it worthwhile to our family. I also consider the money as an investment into our child that will yield longer term earning potential.
- Loan or Cash? If we decide to go to Caltech, should we take loans or liquidate the assets to support the education? Are there any advantages to education loan, when we can pay for it? If you are making a high return on assets and can land a low cost loan, loan is better. If assets will be sitting in a savings account making low interest, use to support education.
- I do understand the power of the Caltech brand. Would chances of getting to a Caltech Masters / PhD program diminish or disappear if he studies in the instate university assuming he will continue to study well. Does UG from Caltech have higher/lower branding power than Masters/PhD from Caltech? If your child is a star at the in state university, his chances will be good to get into a good graduate program. Caltech brand is good, irrespective of undergrad, Masters or PhD.