I was recently accepted to UCLA for business economics and to UofM Ross. I’m aware that career placements are typically better at Ross, but the difference in standard of living is making me hesitate. As far as I know, UCLA has one of the best dining halls in the nation, and Michigan is just horrible. This, on top of older dorms, crappier weather, and other less favorable conditions make me reluctant to commit to Ross. I’m OOS for both, so the total cost is about the same at both institutions. Am I overweighing the importance of these things? I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks.
Personal preference is your right.
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Assuming both are comfortably affordable you have earned the right to go with your preference.
In addition to the comments you have already noted above, I would be sure to take a hard look at the curriculums at both schools (should be online) to see if you have a preference. There is a difference between an undergrad b-school curriculum and business economics.
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In what specific regard?
Food is important to many (those who don’t eat well get low blood sugar - both mine an it’s not fun - and yes UCLA is recognized as a top 3. My kid turned down a top engineering program for a no name just so he could get his own nice dorm room and shared bathroom with one. Btw and I’ve note eaten there but students on niche give UMICH food an A (but UCLA an A+).
Not sure if you are in state at either that will change the cost part of any decision.
But whatever is important to you is important. And I’m not sure outcomes are worse but I don’t know what type of career you seek. And don’t forget while averages are nice, you can only take one job - and you will have some doing better from ucla than UMICH and vice versa as well.
Best of luck as you decide. But what you care about is most important as you need to live this life for four years. Also, as @happy1 noted see the curriculum. I believe UCLA is a quarter school. And then there’s the weather which might matter to you too.
Congrats on such success!!
Just agreeing with others. In a case like this, go where you think your four year experience will be best overall, with no second thoughts necessary.
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No lose situation. Go where you will make the most friends. In a case like this, follow your heart.
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Sounds like you have made your choice. It’s all good. Congrats.
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My opinion is that you are comparing two excellent programs at two excellent universities. It is hard to go wrong. On the other hand, you do want to be somewhere where you can be happy for four years.
As a person who originally came from somewhere cold (Montreal), I can attest that Michigan winters can be cold even by my standards. I doubt that Michigan is any colder than Montreal, but yes it really does get cold there.
Can your family afford UCLA (or Michigan)?
First, Michigan’s food is not horrible, though UCLA has a better reputation there. The weather is cold, but students still go outside and have fun.
The dorms are older, but you only live there for one year. At that point, you’ll likely find cheaper off campus housing.
A2 is one of the best college towns in the US. And if you love sports, then A2 is also a fantastic sports town. My D loved her 4 years there and we’re from the SF Bay Area.
UCLA is a fantastic choice too. Just different.
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Yep, I noted on niche, Michigan food is rated an A.
I’ll chime in as a parent of a UCLA Bus-Econ student and provide a surprising counter. If you hope to do Finance/IB or MBB consulting, your probably better off at Ross. UCLA is at best a semi-target for West Coast offices. I mostly hear my son and his friends griping about their more limited options in comparison to even Berkeley and USC. Do you have great options at UCLA. Yes. But the way the students at UCLA talk, they are harder to come by and getting in the right clubs is important. Now this is probably true at Ross to a degree as well and you might have have to discount students naturally bemoaning their perceived limited options, but I think most UCLA business student would tell you that they believe better opportunities exist at top business programs elsewhere.
Also, Business Economics at UCLA means you’re taking more accounting classes rather than business classes. It’s an economics program and not an undergraduate business program. I have no idea how good Ross is other than reputation, but “Business Economics” is a bit misleading.
I am not saying this just to crum on UCLA. I’m an alum as is my wife, loved my time there and want the best for the school. My son is also having a fantastic time there and got the summer internship he wanted - which he probably could have ended up in the same position had he been at Ross or Haas. Many of his friends landed their desired IB and consulting gigs out of UCLA as well. UCLA does place very well in tech - perhaps better than Ross. But I thought I’d share the perspective that many actual UCLA Bus-Econ students have on opportunities.
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Thanks for your insight. I only see two accounting classes on the UCLA curriculum sheet, which is what most b-school majors have.
Am I missing something?
I’m interested to hear from OP in regards to their desired major. I assume, like you, it’s IB but you never know.
UCLA alum here. Personally would go to Ross. Amazing college town and experience, excellent reputation and placement and rabid alumni base. Yes, I loved my time at UCLA but I think getting into Ross is a real differentiator and it’s a fairly small class within a large school.
I was speaking from 1st hand experience. I actually ate at three of the dorms: East Quad, South Quad and MoJo (Mosher-Jordan).
ETA: And trust me, when I say this to the OP, I’m a picky eater, moreso than probably anyone you know. 
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Not exactly. You have been enrolled in the pre-major; to enter the actual major you need to complete the requirements with the GPAs they list. Notably this includes 2 quarters of engineering-level calculus. You can see the full pre-major sheet on the posting from @tsbna44 above. Most students complete everything in 4-6 quarters.
At UCLA there are about half-a-dozen clubs with close connections with the top finance and consulting firms. These aren’t walk-on clubs—you have to apply, and they are extremely selective. While not the only way to land a prestigious internship or fulltime job, they certainly provide a significant ‘fast track’ through their internal resume books and alumni connections.
I don’t know how things work at UofM, and I’m not saying don’t go to UCLA. I just want to make sure you understand the road ahead.
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oooh - good catch and info.
Curriculum requirements starting with the graduating class of 2028.
Compare curriculum, professors and activities and clubs you would join. You have two solid choices. My son ate the food and thought it was good. I think that’s a bit overblown. But it prepares you for the real world. Good luck.
Anyway, congratulations and go where you think you will excel. Michigan is a tough challenging school.
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I agree with and second this. While I don’t blame you for wanting to be in Westwood over Ann Arbor, Ross for undergraduate business is really tough to beat. You have to decide realistically just how miserable you’d be in Michigan. If, which is likely the case, you are confident you’d acclimate and be fine even though not in your (or my) ideal location, then my advice would be to go to Ross. It’s a compelling opportunity.
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Can you visit to get a sense for Michigan’s food? The stuff you see online is typically unusually terrible.