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Duke University

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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
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Looking for colleges with the best value for money

Good day to everybody, I'm just curious, what are some colleges that provide the best bang for your buck? I mean, in terms of quality education, promising job prospects, networking opportunities and yet, not overbearing in terms of tuition fees?

7 months ago

Absolutely, some colleges deliver excellent value-for-money, providing high-quality education, great networking opportunities, and strong job prospects without overly high tuition.

State universities often offer excellent value, especially for in-state students. For instance, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) or the University of Michigan (UMich) are known for their strong programs and alumni networks and typically have lower in-state tuition.

Private universities with significant endowments often provide generous financial aid packages. Schools like Harvard and Stanford commit to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. At Harvard, for example, families who earn less than $85,000 per year pay nothing towards the cost of attendance.

Additionally, colleges like BYU and Cooper Union have comparatively low tuition costs while providing an excellent education. Cooper Union, in particular, used to provide full scholarships to all of its students and, even though this has changed, they still aim to cover a significant part of the tuition.

Finally, liberal arts colleges like Amherst and Swarthmore, while expensive on the surface, meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, resulting in a lower net price for many families. They provide distinct advantages such as small class sizes, strong faculty interaction, and a well-rounded education.

That said, it's crucial to use each university's net price calculator, which considers your family's financial situation to estimate your out-of-pocket cost. This way, you can determine which schools might offer the best value specifically for your circumstances.

7 months ago

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