UWMadison [$60k] vs University of Iowa [$20k] (cost, cost, cost)? [neuroscience major]

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I know that uwmadison is better than uiowa. But I don’t know how big the difference is in terms of education quality, research opportunities, funding, equipment, etc.

What I do know is that the cost difference is significant. Keep in mind I’m an OOS for both schools.

Iowa gave me $15k in scholarships and another $15k in need-based aid, so the final result is only $8k for tuition. If to include housing and other costs, then it’d be around $20k.

UWMadison gave me $5k in scholarships and $0 in need-based aid, and the resulting tuition is $40k, and with housing and other costs included, it’d be around $60k.

And obviously tuition and cost of living (inflation) rises each year.

The difference is no joke. I don’t like trading education quality for money because it matters in the long run with applying for grad and jobs, but I also don’t want to eat ramen everyday to save for tuition or stress out my family or have so much pressure to get good grades since I’m paying so much for it. I don’t think Iowa is that bad after all.

And frankly I don’t think any school deserves a spending of $60k a year (and rising).

My parents can (sort of) pay for uwmadison, and they say like “no worries, no pressure”, but I just feel uncomfortable with this cost. I mean, yeah, if I really wanted to lower my parents’ pressure, I can work part-time jobs or take out a loan, but you know what’s better than that? Just go to iowa and not worry about this bs in the first place.

Does UWMadison deserve this much of my family’s money?

Is the University of Iowa that bad compared to UWMadison?

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How do you know this?

You know that magazines, etc. rank it higher and that it’s harder to get in.

That does not mean it’s better!!!

There will be students, at equal cost (not your $160K savings) that will choose Iowa straight up btw - there will be no shortage of fantastic students.

Does UW deserve your family’s money? Only mom and dad can say - as it’s their money.

Is U of Iowa bad compared to Wisconsin? Depends on the major - but generally, they’re both solid, big ten flagships and will do well in business, engineering, and more - with a nod to Iowa for English.

Both will be fine.

Good luck.

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There is no appreciable difference in the quality of education between these two schools. STEM, humanities, professional fields – you’re going to get roughly equivalent advantages and resources at both. Madison has more to offer as a city than Iowa City (because it’s bigger), but they’re both great college towns.

I say this as someone who went to grad school at UW Madison, so I’m biased toward that school and city, but when it comes down to it, for undergraduate education, I know that you’ll get equally excellent opportunities at both.

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I think your instincts are correct. Wisconsin is a great institution, but Iowa is simply too good itself to justify an uncomfortably large cost difference. And how you do there will be way, way more important than which you choose.

Now, of course some families can comfortably afford that difference, and that is fine–for them. But to me it sounds like your family is not actually in that position, and in those circumstances I think you are quite correct to see the offer from Iowa as a great opportunity.

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major is neuroscience

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Are there times when it is worth it to pay a lot more to attend a more prestigious university? Yes.

Is it worth it in this case? No.

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So there’s a thread on UNC vs UMD - and people are shocked that neuro major jobs are in the high 30s. I couldn’t find UMD info so I published UVA instead - like $37K.

It’s a difficult major - interdisciplinary, and not really job relatable. So you’re either going to grad school or med school in most cases.

Iowa has health facilities right there too.

You could have said in this case Wisconsin vs. Northern Iowa - and the answer would be the same - especially with a neuro major.

Not sure if Wisconsin would win at the same price - but given the delta and major combo, Iowa is the no brainer here.

Good luck.

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It’s not worth this huge difference indeed.
Neuroscience at UIowa is a solide program.

Perhaps your parents can save the money and invest it for you?
This opportunity is highlighted

Did you get into the Honors college? Because it’d mean even more opportunities.

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Go to Iowa. And…do not think for a second that research does not happen there.

What are you planning to do with this degree?

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Iowa has been a member of the AAU, the top 69 research Unis in the US and Canada, since 1909. It certainly holds its on in research.

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Paging @Mwfan1921 wasnt your daughter a Neuro major turned I banker? I want to make sure OP doesn’t fall victim to a false perception that the major limits financial or career outcomes.

I don’t have first hand experience so calling on those with it.

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I am still in the parent group for my daughter’s school. The parents are posting graduation plans and many of the neuroscience majors are working transition/gap year jobs (lab work, neuroscience center, medic, etc) while they study for the mcats, apply to medical school/grad school etc.

One neuroscience grad is working for a healthcare software company and the parent did not report grad/med school.

OP go to Iowa. It is a strong school and will set you up nicely for whatever you plan to do next with your degree.

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Thanks, yes! My D was a neuroscience major (econ minor) and has been working in IB.

I recently mentioned this on another thread too, and encouraged that poster to major in what they like…students who like what they are studying tend to do relatively well on measures such as GPA, QoL, etc.

The fact that some proportion of neuroscience majors have med school, PA school, or grad school as a goal certainly can impact the average graduating salaries that people see in college outcomes reports because jobs that these students often take (while prepping for their apps) like CNA, scribe, EMT, certain research assistant roles, etc often don’t pay all that well. The same is true for biology.

The reality is there are jobs for people graduating with a neuroscience major that don’t require anything more than a bachelor’s degree…jobs in pharma/biotech/diagnostics/devices (clin trial mgmt, statistician, sales reps, etc), finance, consulting, private/uni based research labs, teacher, etc.

For OP…I agree with others that you can achieve all your goals from Iowa. It’s a great school and college town where students generally seem happy.

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Iowa. You can go somewhere more prestigious for grad school.

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Because majority of the first two years of classes are gen eds, take the offer from Iowa for 2 years and then revisit this question.

If you plan your gen eds carefully, double checking with advisors from both schools, you’ll likely be able to set yourself up so those credits can transfer with you to UW-Madison if you want to switch later. This still saves you money early on while allows you to switch universities if you decide you don’t like the neuro-program at Iowa or like the options better at UW-Madison.

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