Belmont is a solid school but it is religious.
It is not USC.
However, no school, in my opinion, is worth $85K. I mean, if she says no to music business - then what? Belmont has arts and sciences, some business, etc. So they’ll have something - and if it’s a poli sci or history, do you really want to spend that?
I went to a top journalism school - Syracuse. My friend came from Montana. Her family sold their house and moved into a trailer home to send her. Two years later - dropped out - went to U of Montana (got a better education, btw).
I think of this when I read that you’ll have to sell stuff to make it work.
Stop - that’s ridiculous. A school - even Harvard - provides no guarantee. A kid with heart, persistence, and smarts, etc. has a guarantee of having a chance. All of California is moving to Nashville - so the economy here is red hot. OK, that’s an exaggerated - but many.
You mentioned music - but if music is really - ehhh - then Rollins or Furman are fine schools too - obviously Furman, like Belmont, has a religious bent whereas Rollins doesn’t. Rollins is smaller.
I think USC is wonderful - but it’s not wonderful for you - it’s financially impacting your life.
Just because you have $$ in the 529 doesn’t mean you have to blow it all. You can save for grad school, another kid.
My daughter got into Washington & Lee - very prestigious - $81K a year.
She goes to College of Charleston - after scholarship, maybe $15K, $20K when she moves off campus next year. She is also in a low paid major.
I’m banking on her. I’m not spending money that likely won’t impact her career.
Why don’t you look at both schools for career outcomes - see if one does better than the other. Truth is, just like in journalism, you have more people then jobs that want those dream industries - and that’s the problem.
btw - career services is a good place to start, but she’s gotta reach out to alums, cold call music row…she’s gotta find industry people…get their starbucks…do anything to get let in the door. Belmont is literally right there. btw - MTSU is a cheaper and not as close but very popular music program (with business).
Good luck to you.