NFT: College question

probably take the no debt option, and also would strongly suggest majoring in something other than communication. If you're really into journalism you can work on the paper with any major.

That is up to the individual but Thomas Jefferson is know for Medical/Health majors if not going into one of those fields I would choose Temple.

Plus if he wants to go to grad school he would be in a better place financially.

Thomas Jefferson. She's had a very good experience there.

40 years in journalism and PR. I respect someone's desire to enter into the world of journalism, but I see it as a dying business that pays peanuts. It's unfortunate because we need solid writers with reportorial skills, but that's the current reality.

My oldest daughter was a communications major at Boston University. I did not see it as a great field.She has had an excellent career in public relations and marketing.Newspapers are dying but companies are still hiring for public relations and marketing.

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To visit schools. We first hopped on the R-5 from 30th street and went to Villanova. We loved it. Later we took the train out to Temple. We got off the train and thought we were in the South Bronx. We spent all of 5 minutes on the campus before heading back. Temple was never going to be an option.

I love the program I am in, and I have really enjoyed the experience.

but I wouldn't let 40k swing my decision. When people talk debilitating college debt they're talking hundreds of thousands, not 40k.

that's nothing (in my experience).

go to the better program.

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In comment 14344075 pjcas18 said:

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but I wouldn't let 40k swing my decision. When people talk debilitating college debt they're talking hundreds of thousands, not 40k. that's nothing (in my experience). go to the better program.

I had about $70K in total, give or take, and it was still a pretty substantial undertaking to pay it down.

is still huge. That’s $300 per month over 15 years which is substantial for any kid coming out of college, especially if it isn’t a high paying position. With communications/journalism, expect to not make a whole lot for a while post grad, which is fine but be ready for it.

A $50k base with rent, commute, food and then loans is rough.

I’d take the no debt route and start adulthood with nothing weighing me down. I’m not familiar with the two programs but unless it’s the difference between Yale and UConn, is it worth the debt?

In comment 14344142 Dunedin81 said:

Quote:

In comment 14344075 pjcas18 said: Quote: but I wouldn't let 40k swing my decision. When people talk debilitating college debt they're talking hundreds of thousands, not 40k. that's nothing (in my experience). go to the better program. I had about $70K in total, give or take, and it was still a pretty substantial undertaking to pay it down.

Well it's easy for people to say "don't go to college it's a ripoff". Which is true, but reality is for this generation at least unless you want to go into a labor trade most jobs won't hire you at new grad age without a degree.

And if they do hire you without a degree you are making less than people who have a degree.

So if you're not going into the military or learning a trade, you really need to go to college.

Now you weigh how much difference the schools have in earning power and decide if 40k is worth it or not.

At some level there isn't much difference between schools, a degree is a degree, but at some level there is a difference. Most of that IMO is making connections and getting noticed on a resume/linked like site.

is it worth 40k difference between Ben Franklin and Temple? No idea. I doubt anyone does, but like I said I wouldn't let it hold up my decision.

I had much more debt than that and paid for college on my own. I felt a major sense of accomplishment paying off my college debt. I never thought of it though that in terms of if I had a choice to go to a lesser school and have no debt, would I have done it?

Maybe. Not sure.

I knew what I wanted to study and pursue, but the economy was trash at the time for my field and I was worried there might be work when I was done.

In his case, he's going to need a graduate degree more than likely, so might as well just punt that money into his masters.

See, if I had paid $150k I wouldn't have missed the not.

Interests may change. You want a school that will expose you to many areas before you have to lock into a major. Also, if the interest changes and you now want a field where grad school is necessary, it is the grad school that makes the difference and you don’t want to skimp on that because you are too burdened with college debt.

In comment 14344220 jcn56 said:

Quote:

I knew what I wanted to study and pursue, but the economy was trash at the time for my field and I was worried there might be work when I was done. In his case, he's going to need a graduate degree more than likely, so might as well just punt that money into his masters.

Ditto. The problem with debt is that it limits your choices for graduate education and even the job you wind up taking. Temple isn’t a school which is going to be a difference maker, like an Ivy would in terms of entre, alumni, etc.

or the military route, and he has options were he to go the former through family contacts, but temperamentally he's not really inclined toward either. He's a smart kid, and while his HS grades are uninspiring he is the sort of student who might really thrive in college (that was me). Thanks for the input everyone.

the source of the degree was NEVER a factor. Never.