OP, this isn’t meant to sway you one way or the other, as that’s a very personal decision. Although this topic comes up quite a bit on CC, yours is a bit different in that it appears you / your kid like both environments (probably would sway me to UMASS if my kid really liked it and it had a good program in his/her interest).
Full disclosure - I went to UMASS in the 80s. Loved college and have done quite well professionally, although in a different arena than what I studied. S attends a highly selective private (turned down honors program at state flagship) and is full pay (or I should say we are). Also, I realize that all schools, including state flagships, have been upgraded in many ways over the past 35 yrs so my experience at UMASS isn’t exactly relevant.
A few points:
- You can do well from anywhere. In fact most of your outcome will be based on you and what you do, not where you go. Certain schools will give you advantages and opportunities but it's still up to you and your engagement.
- The Honors Program will make a state school smaller so there is a chance for more intimacy if that's desired.
So, why did we choose the small highly selective private when my own experience was a good one from a state flagship? We felt the school and environment made for a sort of ecosystem that just wasn’t available at the state school. Now part of that had to do with my experience. I did well, pushed myself, etc. but there were tons of kids just going through the motions (at the state school). Having saved for potential college costs for many years, we were able to pay for, what we feel, is a better experience.
Better how? I view S’ school as an environment where the entire student body is in the Honors Program. They’re all really smart kids who were tops in their HSs. They all want to succeed either academically, professionally, or both. The basic attitude is work hard academically first, then everything else second. It’s a pretty impressive attitude and environment.
The classes in every subject have been small (including intros). Professor engagement has been high. Even lecture based classes turn in to discussions. Unlike most large schools where students tend to move off campus ASAP (generally after 1 yr), S’ school has a mandatory 3 yr on campus residence policy and many stay all 4 yrs. It’s a community. They love it. They don’t want to leave it.
The career placement and alumni strength is superb. S is a junior and has lots of senior friends. Looking at where the juniors are interning and the seniors are scheduled to work is more than impressive. Again, I know this can happen anywhere, but it’s more the norm here. I feel that’s because of the “ecosystem” of attracting high achievers, surrounding them with great professors, speakers, enrichment programs both in and outside the classroom, connecting them with successful alum who want to give back, etc. That ecosystem is a real thing. Hard to quantify, but don’t kid yourself, it’s meaningful.
It’s just an environment that oozes success.
So when we had the choice, we compared it to our college experiences and basically said, what do we want for our kids? We are fortunate we can make that decision. I know many will read this and think, “what a waste of money”. We don’t feel that way. In fact, 100% the opposite. It’s been an amazing three yrs and will result in a great education, tremendous personal growth, a lifetime network / friendship with many great kids who will go on to do really cool things, great job opportunities, and the list goes on and on. In our case it also helped that S wanted to explore and probably live in a different part of the country as there’s not much going on in FL for a young person.
Everyone’s situation is different. I’m sure you’ll do what’s right for you and your family.