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The Wall Street Journal article.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/are-prestigious-private-colleges-worth-the-cost-1425271052?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLE_Video_Third

Not except for those mature enough to maximize the networking opportunities

Patty from Deloitte sounded as PC as I expected. They don't get many Johns Hopkins grads relative to an army of recruits from U-Dub.

After controlling for ability, the earnings differences of graduates from elite and nonelite institutions are small at best, and any earnings advantage that may emerge over the long run is difficult to concretely tie back to the effects of one’s college choice.

How great is the networking out of SMU? If you don't already hang in SMU circles, are alumni pretty receptive to meeting for informational interviews about their jobs or helping with job contacts? Not so with many public universities, even the big name ones.

It depends on so many factors.

What is your primary purpose or goal in attending college? To get a job that will make you a lot of money? To make you a more rounded human being? To give you a lifelong social network? Etc, etc, etc.

Start by answering those questions and you can begin to answer whether a private vs. public school will help you to meet that goal or goals.

Honestly, SMU was an incredible waste of money. But I had more fun as an undergrad than most people have in their entire lives and I've got a decent job now, so whatever. I got the partying out of my system and ended up with a diploma that stacks up well against others. No complains.

All the "networking opportunities" crap is smoke and mirrors - considering a huge percentage of SMU students come with a silver spoon planted firmly in their mouths it's not surprising that daddy's gonna call his buddies and get them a job.

Depends on who is paying for it- Mom/Dad then "most definitely" or is it coming from your own pockets

Just wait until the student loan bubble bursts

I think the networking thing is far from crap. Daddy not only picks up the phone for his owe son and daughter, he often picks it up for friends of his son and daughter.

Also - even without an "in" - there are SMU mafia advantages. I personally will favor any SMU grad over more or less equal grads when hiring. I find them to be not only well educated - but they are socially ready to hit the ground running - can sell themselves and their company from day one. They are generally mature beyond their years - more adult and sophisticated than their peers.

That's less wasted money for the employer.

Disclaimer: your experience may vary

Stallion wrote:Depends on who is paying for it- Mom/Dad then "most definitely" or is it coming from your own pockets

I paid with it by answering phones at Dominoes, cold calling at UBS and a number of other jobs. Still loved it.

leopold wrote:

Stallion wrote:Depends on who is paying for it- Mom/Dad then "most definitely" or is it coming from your own pockets

I paid with it by answering phones at Dominoes, cold calling at UBS and a number of other jobs. Still loved it.

I ended up having to pay for my last year when my dads cancer treatment got expensive and still think it was totally worth it (even though I'm still paying for it...). SMU alums don't necessarily show it by showing up at football games, etc. but many of us truly loved our college experience.

For me, absolutely worth it, but in fairness, between scholarships, grants (back in the day, simply being a resident of Texas gave you access to $$$ grant) and reasonable loans, it was hardly expensive.

There are 4 schools in Texas that carry cache; Rice, UT, A&M and SMU, the rest, IMO, are somewhat interchangeable.

Attending one of these 4 schools is an accomplishment you carry with pride for the rest of your lifetime.