@baseballhs posted:What’s the 40 year plan? Success? What is the definition of success? We have friends who have 2 daughters. One went to an Ivy to fence (turning down a full ride at ND), her sister went to a small private. The one at The small private made some great connections and graduated with an employment contract making $$$. Much more than the Ivy sister. The Ivy sister feels ripped off. She assumed that her degree from an Ivy school would equate to higher monetary success than her sister who didn’t have it. You can be successful with a degree from any school just as you can be unsuccessful with a degree from any school. If your kid is driven enough to get into an Ivy, they will likely be fine anywhere. If going to an Ivy is important to him, obviously that’s a decision he would have to make. If you think an Ivy is something he can’t pass up because it equates to a successful 40 year plan, I’d give your input and let him decide. The way you word the question, it sounds like he wants the other school? A balance in life is key. If you can enjoy the ride, that’s even better.
What were the majors? That can make a huge difference in the first year comp from school to school.
Years ago I was helping a client hire some entry/junior software engineers. Target salary was $50-55k. I get this kid from Ga Tech on the phone and he tells me his minimum was $85k. I smirked to myself and thought "no way" and told him politely entry level software engineers don't get $85k. Whelp, I told the client execs about the conversation and they said they would absolutely go that high for a Ga Tech grad. They ended up giving him $90k + incentives.
There are many lists out there that show the first year and mid-career salaries from various schools. Harvey Mudd is neck and neck with MIT for the top spot in both categories. You can also find lists of graduate comp based on majors.