Background:
Senior year, 31 ACT (no plan to retake), AP Classes, >4.0 GPA, 10th in Class, Plenty of Extra Curricular Involvement.
Going into chemical engineering, Greater Cincinnati area.
Situation:
Okay guys, so I found myself in the doctors office the other day for a routine physical (XC season is here, YES!), and the doctor started asking me all these questions about my plans after this upcoming school year for college and career, etc. etc. Well, I told her what I had proposed to my parents earlier junior year; staying local to save money, (University of Cincinnati or Miami Oxford because they are commutable) and just picking the school that offers the most money.
The doctor the proceeded to say that she preferred UC because it has a good internship and co-op program-- which I’ve looked into and agree with. But then she told me a story of a boy she had taken care of before that had been offered money to go out of state to Alabama just because that school was trying to build up it’s engineering program. She said he wasn’t offered a full ride, but pretty close to it. She then told me to be aware of similar situations in case a school wanted to offer me money to go out of state that it may be cheaper than the money I could get in state because the school may be less well known.
This is contradictory to everything I’ve been believing so far-- I always assumed because out of state tuition is higher that the cost of attending a college outside of Ohio would make it unrealistic, and that smaller lesser known schools would have less scholarships and money to hand out (although I would also be more competitive at smaller schools).
I just want to know if this theory is correct. Should I apply to smaller schools with the hope I will get more in merit scholarships? Also, any recommendations for colleges would be beneficial. Thanks!
Sometimes it is cheaper to stay home. Sometimes it is cheaper to go away. Each case is different. Students who need significant financial aid can end up going far away because of the money. You need to start by having a conversation with your parents about how they expect you to cover the costs of your education. Will they pay some? All? None? Does it depend on your major? Does it depend on where you choose to study? Sit down with your parents and run the Net Price Calculators at the websites of the universities you’ve looked at so far. That will give all of you an idea of whether or not they are affordable.
U of Alabama has merit-based scholarships that are different at the various campuses, and by majors. Follow the links in these two old threads to check up on the current versions of the scholarships at U of Alabama and other places.
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://competitivefulltuition.yolasite.com/
Since you have high academic credentials, large scholarships at away schools may be more available to you, so it does not hurt to look into them. The links in reply #1 can give you a starting point, though check on the college web sites for any changes.
You will definitely save money by living at home and by paying in state tuition. Your need based aid would not change. Sometimes locals get less in discretionary recruitment money because a local candidate is not considered hard to get.
Run the net price calculators on your schools and see what you get. If you’re happy with the numbers, you aren’t obligated to shop around for more.
If you can find merit in eng with your stats, that’s great, but chem eng already raises the stats bar and the 31 ACT won’t get you merit of consequence in a good eng program. Alabama has already raised the stakes to a 33 act. I don’t know about chem eng in a small school (outside of niche schools),but you want ABET. You could look at auto tuition schools.
You have some really excellent local options!
It is true that sometimes, some colleges can offer merit (or need-based, depending on your family circumstances) aid that exceeds what you would get at a local public university, making it cheaper. Typically, those would be places where you are at least in the top 25% of applicants (and often, more like in the top 10-15% of applicants) and eligible for a large merit aid award from the university itself. Schools like University of Alabama offer large scholarships to attract top out-of-state students. Those students make the average test scores and GPAs of the college higher and raise its overall profile; in turn, this makes their university more appealing to more middle-of-the-road students (both from Alabama and other states) who can afford to pay full price for their kids to go to a really great university.
So you may want to apply to a couple of those kinds of full merit programs, with the knowledge that you will still probably go to UC or Miami of Ohio but these offer you a chance to do something different if you want to.
The short answer to the OP’s topic question is “no”. It depends on each student’s situation.
The sticker price for a school with a high-quality engineering program very often will be cheapest at a public university in your home state. Many state flagships cost about $25K-$35K for tuition, room and board at in-state rates. However, the net price for many schools (including state flagships) may be driven down either by merit scholarships or by need-based aid.
I’ve found that for families with incomes up to the national median (about $60K) the best value often may be at one of the private, selective, “full need” schools.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2016-09-19/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need
For upper middle income families (~$60K - $180K) the best value is harder to predict (it may come from either need-based aid, a competitive/automatic merit scholarship, or in-state sticker prices). For higher income families (> $180K), the lowest net prices typically are either at in-state public schools or at schools offering automatic full tuition (or full ride) merit scholarships.
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php
I used to work at a public university in my state, where I could get 1/2 tuition for my dependents.
Because our family income was below $60K, it cost less for my children to attend out of state private LACs that met full financial need.
There is no one answer to your question, but don’t automatically assume it’s always cheaper to stay local. But you will need to do your research, because many schools don’t meet full financial need, or award merit. Also, make sure you run the NPCs for any schools you are considering, because what you think you can afford may not be the same as how the schools calculate it.
Lots of good advice already given. I will just reiterate that if you want to be competitive for admission/merit scholarships out of state, you might want to reconsider and retake the ACT. 33+ would make you more competitive. The rest of your academic record looks great! And the 31 is by no means bad, just not competitive on a national level for top merit awards.
Your question had two parts, leaving home state and size of school. Yes, smaller public schools may offer better merit money than flagships. Louisiana Tech University (Ruston, North Louisiana) has chemical engineering and is generous with aid from a full ride for National Merit Finalist to out of state waivers. With a 31, you would be eligible for an OOS tuition waiver and just over full tuition scholarship. Your costs would be room and board plus the added travel expense. Flights to Dallas would be easiest.
LA Tech isn’t a directional. It’s a four year university at the other end of the state from LSU and is known for engineering in the region.
That’s just one example. I think there is a directional in AL that is more generous than Univ of AL and I’m sure many examples. If you can get full tuition in Ohio, you will still probably be better off home. Most full rides I’ve seen are tied to NMF.
Note that it is possible that your state’s public universities that are not local also have large scholarships for in-state students that may not be listed in the lists in reply #1.
From the automatic scholarship list linked in reply #1 (accounting for recent changes), your 4.0 / 31 will give the following at colleges with chemical engineering:
Note: Alabama - Tuscaloosa now requires a 36 for full tuition and 33 for $25,000 per year (slightly less than full tuition). Howard no longer lists the indicated scholarships on its web site. Temple no longer offers the listed automatic scholarship.
Note: Check how GPA is calculated at each college.
In addition to the cost comparisons, be sure you have considered how far from home you are willing to travel and live for four years.
Do you have physical or mental health issues and great medical care in your hometown that might be more hassle to find in a faraway state? Will your family’s health coverage have decent medical options in the college area?
If you had a crisis, how much stress would it put on your family to travel to your college? Actual travel expenses, hotel and food, time off of work, younger children still at home to deal with?
Or even just a fun visit to see you perform in athletics or theater, parents weekend, would that be possible? And if not, how would that make you feel? There is always an adjustment period, no matter how far from home you are. But if you know yourself well, and can admit you are a homebody, don’t let a merit scholarship across the country entice you to discount other factors as you make your decisions.
It is good to get past stereotype thinking that local is always cheapest. Figure out what factors are most important to you, majors, size of student body, proximity to a large city, pretty campus, etc. Then compare the costs of your favorite schools.
@ucbalumnus
Re: Post #10 and University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
An ACT 36 will qualify for the Presidential Elite Scholarship which is for more than full tuition. See below.
Presidential Elite Scholar
Value of tuition for up to four years for degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate or law studies
One year of on-campus housing at regular room rate
$1,000 per year stipend for four years
$2,000 one-time allowance for use in summer research or international study (after completing one year of study at UA)
$1,000 one-time technology stipend