Better schools worth paying premiums?

Abhijeet Avhale

Abhijeet Avhale

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9/16/24
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I wanted to start a thread about how one could look at paying for colleges in an optimum way.
Given that net expenditure varies from college to college, I was looking for a way to calculate the "Estimated worth" of a college in comparison to others.

I am aware that most forecasts tend to come with inherent risks as historical performance isn't always indicative of the future. However, based on my research, I’ve focused on two key factors:
1. Name (Reputation, alumni network, location)
2. Placement records
(The field you want to work in and college life could also be included)

Amongst the colleges I got accepted in -
Cornell
Tuition: 103k USD + Living,
Prestige + Brand value + partly in NYC
5-year average Placements: 130k x 93.8% = 122k
NYU Tandon
Tuition: 73k USD + Living
In NYC
5-year average Placements: 108k x 90.4% = 98k
NCSU
Tuition: 64k USD + Living
Record placements
5-year average Placements: 117k x 100% = 117k

Looking at this NCSU feels like the ideal choice - giving the best initial ROI. But I've been oscillating between these 3. I intend to work in Buy side Quant Research and I plan to leave the USA in 3 years or so (after the OPT period).
What other things should I also consider? In what circumstances could Cornell be a better choice(to pay 40k extra)?
 
I feel these are all similar colleges with similar RoI. Unless there is a choice between say CMU/ Baruch / Princeton with any of above, it doesn't make any difference.
Also, the quality of placements and opportunities for corporate internship matters as well.
 
If leaving the US after 3 years (OPT), your criteria should be different than those planning their career in the US.
I assume you go back to India and hope to join the next wave of finance job there. Do you need a brand name and extensive alumni network in India from the program?
Will the knowledge from the program and work experience be relevant to the job market in India?
 
Andy Nguyen said:
If leaving the US after 3 years (OPT), your criteria should be different than those planning their career in the US.
I assume you go back to India and hope to join the next wave of finance job there. Do you need a brand name and extensive alumni network in India from the program?
Will the knowledge from the program and work experience be relevant to the job market in India?
Click to expand...
I plan to come back to Germany (or someplace in Europe). Mostly because I've been living here for a year and I really enjoy the culture. So it's a big maybe (that is if I fall in love with the States - I could want to stay there more.)
Although I also want to - at some point, launch a startup or an initiative - which is where I think Cornell tag could be useful.
I have a network that works in Quant finance in Switzerland and he said that most people (especially in quant research) come from phd background, at least at his firm.
 
Cheers to the planned move to Europe. Maybe I can see you there someday.
You brought up a good point that many quant jobs in Europe requires a PhD while there are plenty of jobs in the US that a master suffices.
Buy-side Quant Research is a tough job to get no matter which program you graduate from. Cornell has only a 77% US placement 3 months post. I also have very few reviews of the program to get an accurate picture.
 
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