<p>I think ohio_mom has hit the nail on the head. I would go one step further and say for most professions, where one goes to undergraduate school makes little difference. And further, at the graduate level, it depends on the specific program more than the name of the school, for example the nation’s #1 neuroscience program is at the University of California at San Francisco. The nation’s #1 medical school for primary care is the University of Washington. One would be better served attending these schools if one’s interests lie in these areas than any of the Ivies or UChicago. A friend’s daughter attended a third tier state undergrad program, yet was accepted into a top graduate (Ph.D.) program in her field (where many Ivy etc. applicants were rejected) and has found the offers plentiful. It was the quality of her work and her recommendations that got here in, not her school’s reputation. A nephew who graduated from a top Ivy had a roommate from a state university while attending medical school. He said he never saw any advantage from his Ivy education at med school. In the last 25 years, no one has ever asked me where I went to undergrad school.</p>
<p>If business or the law is the aim, then, at the professional school level, Chicago or other top tier privates and a few state schools help a little in initial salary and jobs. As ohio_mom mentioned, however, in some areas of the country the local flagship state university will carry the most clout. What will ultimately make the difference, however, is how well one does on the job.</p>
<p>If getting a job is the only goal, then finding the school best for a particular career is probably the route one should take, for example engineering. On the other hand, if the thrill of discovery that comes with meeting academic challenges and being an educated person is the goal, then UChicago (and other fine schools) may be the best choice.</p>