Are Prestigious Universities Worth the Money?
Ivy League schools are notoriously selective with acceptance, and they cost significantly more than other colleges. People wouldn’t spend so much on these schools if there weren’t major perks to attending them, right?
By: Lindsay Justus
Ivy League schools are notoriously selective with acceptance, and they cost significantly more than other colleges. People wouldn’t spend so much on these schools if there weren’t major perks to attending them, right?
Well, maybe not. Lots of people attend prestigious schools in hopes that the name of that elite school will stand out on their resume, but the careers they choose to pursue may not pay enough to negate the massive debt they’ve accumulated. Is a pricier school really worth your money?
Consider the Pros
- Ivy League schools have online networking directories and forums to connect their graduates and students.
- Attending a more prestigious school can give you better internship opportunities
- People hold names like “Harvard” and “Yale” in high regard. The letters of recommendation you receive from the professors there could mean more than those from other schools that have less name recognition.
Major Matters
When considering your future school, one of the most important things to think about is your major. According to The Wall Street Journal, if your major will be in business or the liberal arts, a more selective school can impact your future salary. However, if you’re going into a field like science, technology, education, or math (STEM), your earnings won’t really be affected by attending an expensive school.
The Bottom Line
An Ivy League with an expensive price tag may get you a few steps ahead of everyone else, but the college you attend isn’t the deciding factor in how successful your life is—you are!
You Can Be a Harvard Student!
Yes, you, reading this article right now. Regardless of your GPA, you are eligible to learn from some of Harvard’s top professors, and for less money than you’d think!
- Massive Open Online Courses
MOOCs are classes that universities offer to you for no charge.You have the ability to learn at Harvard’s level in the comfort of your home. However, unless you pay for a certificate or to audit the course, there will be no proof you completed this learning experience. You can use this as a tool to enhance the education you are already receiving or to prepare yourself for what to expect in your college courses.
- Harvard Extension School
Harvard’s extension school offers 800+ courses you can take to obtain a diploma. You can study in many different fields, including english, biology, anthropology, psychology, and more!
This is the cheaper route to getting a Harvard degree. Tuition ranges from $1550-$2700 for their 4-credit courses, but degree-seeking students may apply for financial aid.
How to get in:
- You need to register for three courses, (including a required English course) that count toward the degree you’re pursuing to prove you can handle the intensity of Harvard’s classwork.
- Earn at least a B in those courses and retain a GPA higher than 3.0.
- Submit your application for enrollment into Harvard’s extension school. As long as you meet these requirements and turn in a complete application, you will be admitted!
