Why do people pay SOOOO much to go to a presitgious college?

[cchen]

You get what you pay for. I look at my friends that went to state schools, and I can immediately see that their academic program seems a lot easier that mine and others at my school. In addition, the peer group that you get at a presitigious school is much better than at other schools, due to possible future networking as well as just a more intellectually sound group of students.

BTW, education at "prestigious schools" can be financed many ways. Unless you're rich (>150k a year) you'll very likely get financial aid. Here, total costs amount to about 40k a year, I received 25k in grants and scholarships, I can make about 7k from my work study job during the school year, my parents cover the rest. My internship during the summer is going to give me enough money to be self-sufficient next year.

 

[fizmeister]

Originally posted by: cchen
You get what you pay for. I look at my friends that went to state schools, and I can immediately see that their academic program seems a lot easier that mine and others at my school. In addition, the peer group that you get at a presitigious school is much better than at other schools, due to possible future networking as well as just a more intellectually sound group of students.

BTW, education at "prestigious schools" can be financed many ways. Unless you're rich (>150k a year) you'll very likely get financial aid. Here, total costs amount to about 40k a year, I received 25k in grants and scholarships, I can make about 7k from my work study job during the school year, my parents cover the rest. My internship during the summer is going to give me enough money to be self-sufficient next year.

You're right. I go to a prestigious school as well (Rice) which provides ample financial aid to people. I got a merit scholarship as well as external scholarships, and I only had to pay $2000 for the usual $30,000/yr costs. All top prestigious schools are need-blind in admissions and will give you ample financial need-based aid. Money is not an excuse to not attend college. Even my friends here that make a decent bit of money (er...families make) are on some sort of financial aid. Unless you're really well off, you probably don't have to pay much.