Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > August > 25 > Entry
Was “affordable college” on your list of reasons to move here?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The U.S. News & World Report college rankings hit newsstands today, and Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory, Spelman, Morehouse and Agnes Scott all made some of the lists.
As the AJC story points out, these rankings are loathed by most school administrators. Still, it’s an ego boost to list-happy parents, students and alumni, and is quick to get the attention of people shopping for schools.
As a high school student in Michigan, I considered going out-of-state for approximately 10 seconds, the amount of time it took to do the math: likelihood of massive student loan debt + general uncertainty about life’s course - cafeteria work wages - aspirational scholarship funds = perfectly lovely in-state school education.
Of course, if you live in Georgia, the reason to stay in-state is even stronger, fancy-sounding rankings or not. It’s called the HOPE scholarship.
Here’s the deal: the Georgia Lottery-funded scholarship covers tuition, some fees and some books for students who are Georgia residents and maintain a B average throughout high school, if they attend an eligible in-state school. (Private school students can get a portion of the cost paid, too.)
Yes, in this tough economy, Georgia universities might make staff cuts and increase fees that would fall outside the reach of HOPE.
Yes, the formula to calculate students’ grade averages recently changed, which left some students and parents disappointed.
And yes, the dangling carrot of paid tuition creates some intense competition to get in to state schools.
Hard to see the downside of greater academic achievement, though. Without requiring an essay or interview, a certain SAT score or even an A-average, the program has helped 1,191,115 students with $4.1 billion since 1993.
I’m thrilled with my college education and that it helped me to land here, out-of-state. But if I’d known more than what was in the rankings, if I’d believed the HOPE scholarship wasn’t some higher education fairy tale…maybe I would’ve been a newcomer sooner.
Did it convince you to move here, or to stay here?
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Uniquely Georgia
Comments
By jc
August 25, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Is Kennesaw
By jc
August 25, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Is kenneasaw state a good school?
By Cara
August 25, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
We moved here because we loved the 1950’s mountain area pace! We left our college age daughter in FL with her brother. When she got lonely for Mamma and Daddy, she relocated. The GA university system translated her Fl Bright Scholars to Hope! She has recently graduated from UGA, and we couldn’t be more thankful to the State of Georgia. It would never have been possible without HOPE. Thank you GA!
By ksugrad
August 25, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Kennesaw is a very good school with a diverse group of students. For many it’s a bridge to UGA or some other large, more competitive school, but Kennesaw has a lot to offer academically & socially if you give it a chance. The school seems to have good leadership and vision in place under Dr. Papp. Although only time will tell, I think the school will continue to improve & grow it’s campus, broaden it’s academic offerings and will evolve into one of Georgia’s best universities.
By Eagle Man
August 25, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Georgia Southern is a terrific school and affordable.
By Alicia
August 25, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
When my father was retiring from the military ad my parents looking for a good place to settle down, my aunt, a Georgia resident, mentioned the Hope. We ended up moving here, I attended my 4 years of HS here, got the Hope and kept it all 4 years of college. It was my parent’s main reason for choosing to move to Georgia and it paid off!
By KSUSenior
August 25, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
I am a Senior at Kennesaw State University and, I too think it’s a great school.
By Lissa
August 25, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
While I didn’t attend a college in the Atlanta area (GC&SU in Milledgeville), HOPE was a major reason for me to stay in Georgia. I’m actually one of the few who made it all the way through college retaining HOPE each year. I wish I could have used it for my Master’s!
By LNC
August 25, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
My daughter maintained HOPE through all four years of a private Georgia school. It was a drop in the bucket toward the yearly expense but we’re very grateful.
By Russell Jurney
August 25, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Thats interesting about Emory - I believe they were ranked worst value about ten years ago.
By Jason
August 25, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
“Thats interesting about Emory - I believe they were ranked worst value about ten years ago.”
There’s no—nor has there even been—such a thing as “worst value” rankings. Furthermore, Emory was ranked 9th in the nation ten years ago, tied with Brown, Columbia, Northwestern and Caltech. Sounds like someone’s bitter over his rejection.
By StatesboroBlues
August 25, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Although Georgia Southern was not mentioned in the article (thanks once again AJC…there are universities that exist outside of metro Atlanta) they have one of the top ten chemistry programs in the USA. GASou is also affordable, has a beautiful campus, is 1 hour from the beach and is one of the only green campuses in GA. Go Eagles!
By Bobby
August 25, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Hands down best value is Southern Polytech.
Great education at a fraction of the cost to all the “better” known schools.
And graduates get great high paying job offers by the truck load.
Facts don’t lie.
Costs (2006-2007) In-state tuition: average full-time undergraduate, $3,374 per year
Residence Halls: $3,210 per year
Estimated total expenses, including room, board, books, and tuition: $9,644
UGA…..$18,000 per year!!
By WestGaJunior
August 25, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
To any one that is considering attending college in the state of Georgia. There are other affordable options here other than Ga State, Spelman, Morehouse, UGA…etc. Take a look about 30 mins west of Atlanta at the University of West Georgia (In State Tuition including room and board- $15,000 per year). West Ga offers one of the states only Honors Colleges and it has a great nursing program. 100% of its graduates pass the NCLEX the first time. What does that tell you about the education? Not only that the social scene is really nice. If you are looking to join a National Pan-Hellenic Soro. then West Ga may not be the school for you considering the fact they only have Sigma Gamma Rho because Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha is currently inactive. How can I forget West Ga is the National Cheerleading Champs 7 years in a row. Check them out on ESPN someday! GO WOLVES!!!
By VSU Blazer
August 25, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
If you want a great value, a great campus, great faculty, and an all-around great experience, go to Titletown USA and attend Valdosta State. I got my master’s degree there and I’m currently working on my doctorate. I highly recommend this jewel on the Florida border!
By Tomika
August 25, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
HOPE was a major reason why I stayed in GA. I maintained HOPE all four years I was in school. I would recommend Georgia State University. A very urban and diverse school. It is the home of the top Business School. Georgia State is growing with the addition of the Georgia State Football team. The professors are great. The atomosphere is great. Choices of living space is unlimited especially since there is not only on campus living but outside student housing. 2008 BSW Graduate