I’ve gotten into both UI and Umass Amherst for a BA in Economics. I’m an international student and Iowa gave me $3500 yearly in aid and Umass gave me a chancellor’s award of $8000 yearly. Umass works out to be a bit cheaper. Which college has the academic edge for my major? Also, which is better in terms of social life, diversity and grad school placement? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Umass Amherst no doubt is better for social life and diversity. It’s also in a much more interesting part of the country, with access to more interesting places than Iowa.
UMass Amherst is better. It’s in east, and therefore, more interesting and diverse.
“Umass works out to be a bit cheaper.”
Check the numbers here: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml
The overall cost of living (off-campus housing, food, etc.) is probably slightly lower in Iowa City. However, transportation costs for you may be somewhat lower to Amherst. Don’t forget to investigate those. Also, be sure to find out what you need to do in order to keep your scholarships at each place.
Both of these universities can get you into grad school. Don’t worry about that. Iowa City is a lively community, but it is a lot farther from big cities than Amherst is. Getting anywhere from there will take a lot more planning than it would from Amherst.
What you mean by social life and diversity can be very different from what someone else would mean. I’d suggest that you contact the International Students Office at each campus. They can give you better inside information than most of us can.
Umass Amherst would be better.
@happymomof1 By diversity I mean essentially ethnic diversity plus reasonable international student population. Also attitudes towards minorities as I happen to be one. Thanks for your suggestion
UI is a nice little town surrounded by millions of acres of corn plus some pigs. Plenty of Chinese students plus a few other international students in the mix. UMass Amhearst is a far better location. UMass would be more diverse except not quite the overwhelming majority of International students are Chinese. Still small town part of the 5 college consortium. Close to Boston ( about 2 hour drive/200 km). Close to small mountains and the coast. Iowa close to umm… well did I mention millions of acres of corn. I’m not sure about economic programs at each school but both are respectable for State (public) Universities. Hard to call one better than the other overall. If UMass is cheaper it’s a no brainer unless you really like corn.