Would you commute 40 minutes knowing you would save $22K?

[TheCowboy]

Yeah. Later in life, most people (as in maybe 80%?) wish they had more of the college experience vs less.
Of course, if some never experienced the good side of it they don't know what they missed, so that's ok too....as in if you never had it, what's to miss?

I guess everyone's situation is different though.
In this case, it sounds like 22k is a very big deal. And if he's planning to move far away after graduating from a school or state that he'll have know allegiances too, you can see why he's considering it.

On top of that, I can graduate in 3 years doing summer classes which I have no problem with doing. $20-25K for a bachelors degree attained in 3 years. Not bad. Just trying to move on with as little debt as possible.

 

[Lonestar94]

Congrats, you can now change your title from "The Teen" to the "The Young Man".

You are 20 anyway.

 

[TheCowboy]

Congrats, you can now change your title from "The Teen" to the "The Young Man".

You are 20 anyway.

I'm 18 man.

 

[Lonestar94]

I'm 18 man.

Junior in college? 18?

 

[TheCowboy]

Junior in college? 18?

No next spring would be my transfer date, and I will be 19 then. And will graduate when I'm 20.

 

[WoodysGirl]

No next spring would be my transfer date, and I will be 19 then. And will graduate when I'm 20.

Good for you! At 20 I was coming off academic probation. Lol

I stayed off campus. Didn't mean I didn't have fun.

 

[jterrell]

I have the opportunity to commute to a university that is 35-40 minutes away for my upcoming junior year. I completed a two-year program at a community college at 1 1/2 year rate. It cost me $11,000 to go there to get my associates degree.

I could commute to a university and save 22K off the total price if I lived at home and commuted. The total tuition for 2 years there would be $14K without room and board, for a total of $25K for a Bachelor's of Accounting degree. This does not include any scholarships I may receive from the school.

Just curious from the board's perspective, what would you do in this situation? Would you pay $22K for the college experience, or save it?

lotsa factors here:
biggest decision if purely financial is future earnings potential.
sounds like you are set there tho with a university degree in your sites.

as to the school thing if you are only going to be 35-40 mins away commuting makes sense ... IF you can suffer through living at home or wherever.

i really did love the college experience but i only spent one year in the dorms.
the rest of the time i had an apmt with either roommates or girlfriends but always in a college town.

 

[TheCowboy]

lotsa factors here:
biggest decision if purely financial is future earnings potential.
sounds like you are set there tho with a university degree in your sites.

as to the school thing if you are only going to be 35-40 mins away commuting makes sense ... IF you can suffer through living at home or wherever.

i really did love the college experience but i only spent one year in the dorms.
the rest of the time i had an apmt with either roommates or girlfriends but always in a college town.

Yeah I'd be home for the next 2-2 1/2 years. I appreciate the response thank you.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

40 Minutes is nothing. I commuted by bus to college and it took two buses to get there, over an hour total. Riding on that bus was a good time to just relax and think and check out the pretty girls. Save the $22K. You can reward yourself later with a nice car or something tangible than rent money thrown down the toilet.

Do the math on the value of $22K thirty years later if you invest it in stocks and average 7%. These people who accumulate these huge debts from college have a big hole to climb out of, and some never do make it out of that hole.

 

[RastaRocket]

After these last two years I am looking to move to Texas, so I really don't mind not making friends. For 2 years, I'll probably be friends with them and not talk to them ever again.

Ahhhh, I dunno man, I had some amazing times while in college and met friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I wouldn't go back and save a dime if I could. You only live once, enjoy the college experience!

Worry about grown up **** later. Go to college, have a blast, and keep your GPA up.

 

[Hoofbite]

Time/gas spent commuting could likely pay for rent if it were at a part time job.

40 minutes each way is how much per week in gas?

Get a job in the field you're interested in just for the experience and connections. Work a couple days per week and rent is probably covered and then some.

 

[TheCowboy]

Time/gas spent commuting could likely pay for rent if it were at a part time job.

40 minutes each way is how much per week in gas?

Get a job in the field you're interested in just for the experience and connections. Work a couple days per week and rent is probably covered and then some.

It's 20 miles away from home, and I would be commuting 3 times a week. Possibly $40 a week in gas. Like you said, I could try to get into a work study program, but that is only usually $4K off tuition. Room and board is 11K and tuition Is 7K per year.

 

[visionary]

After these last two years I am looking to move to Texas, so I really don't mind not making friends. For 2 years, I'll probably be friends with them and not talk to them ever again.

Don't under sell it
The friends I made in school and college are still my best friends

 

[TheCowboy]

Don't under sell it
The friends I made in school and college are still my best friends

Are they work 22K? Especially when you move across the country after knowing them for only 2 years?

 

[visionary]

Are they work 22K? Especially when you move across the country after knowing them for only 2 years?

cant relate because i did not go to college for 2 years but i can tell you the friendships you make in school/college are based on actual interests and commonalities and are much more lasting compared to friendships made later in life that are often based on mometary factors, convenience, work, etc

is it worth 22K? who knows, that is something for you to determine

just something to factor in

 

[WoodysGirl]

Don't under sell it
The friends I made in school and college are still my best friends

This... Pretty much my entire friend circle is made from the ladies I met while in college. That's 20+ years now. Longer than ALL of our various relationships during that time. lol

 

[WoodysGirl]

Are they work 22K? Especially when you move across the country after knowing them for only 2 years?

Whether you live on campus or off-campus, the friendships you make during college are to be valued. Just saying, I never lived on campus, but I got friends for life through my college experience. Just because you plan to move after graduation, doesn't mean you can't maintain a friendship if you're both willing to do so. You don't know how your life is going to unfold the next two years, so be open to the people that will help you in your journey.

My 2 nickels..

 

[BigStar]

That's odd bc the majority of my adult friends are childhood friends that I grew up with. I also still live in my hometown so that probably plays a big part. Different circumstances for everybody I guess.

 

[TheCowboy]

That's odd bc the majority of my adult friends are childhood friends that I grew up with. I also still live in my hometown so that probably plays a big part. Different circumstances for everybody I guess.

Yeah I went to a private high school and everyone came from somewhere, so I have friends who are in New York City, to PA, FLA, California and it will be me in Texas eventually.

 

[Future]

After these last two years I am looking to move to Texas, so I really don't mind not making friends. For 2 years, I'll probably be friends with them and not talk to them ever again.

If that's the approach, then stay home.

I'm frustrated every month when I have to pay off my loans, but the kids I was friends with there are probably my best friends now. It really all depends on your priorities.

One of my best friends stayed home and went to community college for 2 years to save money, but hated living at home and was miserable all the time. Then, he went to a 4-year as a junior and was in an awkward position there, so he regrets his choice. Others have done the same thing and are way happier with the savings.

It sounds like, to me, you don't care about the social aspect of college, so I would recommend saving the $ probably, but I think its worth it. Everyone is different.