Cost of attendance

[DarkHorizon]

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I have been blessed with multiple acceptances so far. Still some more to go. I now have about a month to decide on schools. Here's my dilemma, do I attend my hometown school where I get to stay home with my SO but pay a huge tuition fee, or do I attend the other school and save $54,000 over 4 years in tuition? My hometown school has far better reputation and has been around for more than 100 years. The other school has only been around for about 17 years. And then there's another which costs somewhere in the middle and has good reputation but is about 2000 miles away from where I live. How the **** should I approach this situation?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

How far away is the 17 year old school?

 

[DarkHorizon]

How far away is the 17 year old school?

About 350 miles away, it's LECOM-Erie.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Well the only way I know how to answer your question is to put myself in your exact shoes. Being married and having had to do the long distance thing several times in the past, I'd probably consider a few more things:

1. Have you added up the cost of travel over those four years? It won't come close to $50K, but it will be substantial, nonetheless.
2. How long have you been with this SO?
3. Do you plan on marring him/her?
4. Have you done the long distance thing before?
5. How strong is your relationship?

Basically, a probable marriage and family plans could potentially trump the money saved, depending on the situation's specifics. This may not be helpful, as I haven't "answered" the question, but these are things I would and have considered when making similar decisions, myself.

 

[Lurchdubious]

If it weren't for the SO, I'd go save some money. But in your position, I'd go to the hometown school.

 

[DarkHorizon]

Thanks guys, lots of good points and lots of thinking ahead of me

 

[TeamZissou]

Ya this is gonna be something only you can answer. I'd agree with CB that you need to take into account those things.

I'd simplify it and say communicate with your SO. If marriage is in the cards then go that route. If not, then go with the lower COA because its not as if the relationship AUTOMATICALLY ends. You will still have the option to do the long distance thing.

I don't personally have this decision to make and I'm not envious of the predicament your in. Best of luck and hope it works out for you!

 

[umean2tellme]

Why not save money and go to the cheaper school if it's a good school and just take this significant other with you. I think you should make your decision with more criteria than just cost and your partner.