Expensive university or cheaper one?

Question

i want to go to University of Chicago but i think its too expensive. people tell me that i can get financial aid but in reality do u get a lot of financial aid? is it better to go 2 a cheaper college even though its rankings are not as good as University of Chicago and its not so well known?

Answer 1

you could go to a community college and transfer after two years--that would be pretty good.

but if i was you i'd look at the university's reputation instead of the price.

Answer 2

It depends on what school you go to. Some schools try to give you enough financial aid to pay for your annual tuition but if your family or whoever claimed you on your tax returns make a lot of money, you will not get much financial aid. right now it is about a decision between what you can save and what you will have to continue to pay for in the future. you can start off in an instate college and transfer after your first or second year into the college of your choice when you file your fafsa. it also depends on your status eg.freshman, sophomore,etc. as a freshman yor will not get much money but when you enter into the stage of upperclassmen, you will receive more. just file your fafsa on time next year and see what how much you get because you will have to take out a loan to go to the college of your choice.

Answer 3

It depends on what you want to do.  However, realize that your education is probably the most important investment you will ever make in your life, and spending more may just be part of going to a really good school.  Just as you wouldn't go to a bad doctor because s/he was cheap, you don't want to do that with college.  Too much is riding on the quality.

Answer 4

Different people get different levels of financial aid. If your family is middle to upper class you won't get a lot (or any) financial aid.

There is nothing wrong with going to a college that's not highly known. You're still getting your degree.

Answer 5

Where the degree is from matters a LOT but only in relation to a few schools, really.  I.e. obviously if it's from Harvard that is a big plus that's worth paying for in terms of educational investment.  

Otherwise, many employers tend to have quirky preferences or biases about colleges, so you really can't have all that much control.  Most people obviously won't know anything about colleges other than the few they themselves checked out.

So if you can get in and pay for a top-level school, it's worth it; otherwise it probably isn't that big of a deal and, as long as the school is academically respected in your chosen field, you can probably go with a cheaper one.

Answer 6

The best school for anyone is the one they can graduate from with the least amount of student loans.

Two weeks after you get your first "real job" after college, your boss isn't going to even remember where you got your degree from.... just if you are doing your work.