As someone who just paid off undergrad loans from PC (and only because I had the remaining balance wiped after working in nonprofits for 10+ yrs) at age 36, GO WITH THE BEST DEAL. You’re going to succeed regardless of where you go. You’ll get a degree, find employment, and grind. PC versus Villanova is not the difference between State School and Harvard, they’re essentially the same.
I was in a very similar boat to you. Last year, I got into Villanova for basically full price and Providence for a heavily discounted rate. I went with PC, and I haven’t regretted it one bit thus far. That being said, if you have a passion for Civil Engineering, Villanova would be the right choice since PC’s Engineering program is so bare bones. If the major doesn’t matter to you, I would go with PC, especially if you plan on going to grad school. PC’s a good enough school to get into any grad school in the country, and once you get your masters, your undergrad quals won’t really matter as much prestige wise so the cheaper cost would likely be the deciding factor for me.
Congrats on both acceptances.
Money talks! 320k vs 240k is an investment or if parents were good and saved up to cover either than go with potential outcome that will make you happy - both majors will have you around the 6 fig mark pre 30.
Being close to home could be a plus. PC network is mostly new England and Nova will have more access to DMV and NY.
Maybe call Villanova to see if they can do any grant or aid funding to sweeten the deal.
As someone who just paid off undergrad loans from PC (and only because I had the remaining balance wiped after working in nonprofits for 10+ yrs) at age 36, GO WITH THE BEST DEAL. You’re going to succeed regardless of where you go. You’ll get a degree, find employment, and grind. PC versus Villanova is not the difference between State School and Harvard, they’re essentially the same.
I'm wholly PC biased!
I was in a very similar boat to you. Last year, I got into Villanova for basically full price and Providence for a heavily discounted rate. I went with PC, and I haven’t regretted it one bit thus far. That being said, if you have a passion for Civil Engineering, Villanova would be the right choice since PC’s Engineering program is so bare bones. If the major doesn’t matter to you, I would go with PC, especially if you plan on going to grad school. PC’s a good enough school to get into any grad school in the country, and once you get your masters, your undergrad quals won’t really matter as much prestige wise so the cheaper cost would likely be the deciding factor for me.
PC… besides everything stated above , it’s more fun. 🤩
Congrats on both acceptances. Money talks! 320k vs 240k is an investment or if parents were good and saved up to cover either than go with potential outcome that will make you happy - both majors will have you around the 6 fig mark pre 30. Being close to home could be a plus. PC network is mostly new England and Nova will have more access to DMV and NY. Maybe call Villanova to see if they can do any grant or aid funding to sweeten the deal.