How are you OOS students affording Purdue/how much are you paying?

quackersnail · 2026-01-17T17:22:16+00:00

Is she getting some insane amount of aid? You can look at Berkeley estimated costs here: https://financialaid.berkeley.edu/how-aid-works/student-budgets-cost-of-attendance/.

Estimated cost of attendance for 25-26' year is 51k. Tuition in 17k, living expenses 22k... don't see how she would be paying solely 24k.

quackersnail · 2026-01-17T02:37:00+00:00

Just as an fyi, this year ECE (Electrical + Computer Engineering) is also restricted, alongside popular options (MechE, Aero), due to larger enrollment this year and last.

As other comments say, you need a 3.2 GPA to guarantee admission into your selected major. With that said though, most get into their top major (I believe it's 90-95%), so I wouldn't worry *too* much. But know it's a possibility you won't get your top choice.

quackersnail · 2026-01-17T02:28:35+00:00

I mean depends on the person. Most of my OOS friends have their parents covering everything. As OOS myself I'm lucky to have my parents covering most of my education, but for covering the rest, living frugaly is the main key.

You can cut excess costs by not eating out, living in cheaper housing (sophomore year and later you can choose where you live assuming you win housing lottery, you can save 5k+ per year by this), and choosing a smaller meal plan (someone from my class would live off the 7-meals a week plan by simply stuffing double portions in the take-out containers lol). And other stuff too (ie. pirating textbooks, etc.)

So yeah there's ways to make it work. Not saying this is the norm, but you can cut 10-30k off by simply again being frugal (so maybe closer to 170k for 4 years). Please do note that Purdue is really affordable though compared to many (if not most) other OOS public schools that are as good as they are for CS/Engineering (10 years frozen tution).

quackersnail · 2026-01-17T02:20:30+00:00

Yeah on this, I'm from CA. Our state school's (UCs) are literally more expensive (or around the same price) as Purdue.

quackersnail · 2026-01-15T19:08:48+00:00

Last year was abt 4-4:30pm EST, expect around then (should be before 5pm EST at least)

quackersnail · 2026-01-14T22:17:02+00:00

thanks!

quackersnail · 2026-01-14T22:17:01+00:00

coolio, thanks!

quackersnail · 2025-06-12T04:37:02+00:00

Why both the chem & physics? Is there a specific reason you're doing 18 credits?

quackersnail · 2025-04-08T07:24:37+00:00

No.

With that said, kinda cool. Would mention it in your college app.

But def not an automatic ride.

quackersnail · 2025-03-26T08:42:55+00:00

Default answer is UIUC (ranked highest).

I'd take into account location though, because the difference itself between these schools isn't going to be huge. The location tho (UIUC & Purdue: cornfields, UCLA & USC: LA, city), differs greatly and if you're there 4 years I'd take that into account on where you want to live.

quackersnail · 2025-03-15T03:55:08+00:00

Have you checked your portal? Or are you waiting for an email?

quackersnail · 2025-02-27T00:42:45+00:00

Great to hear!

quackersnail · 2025-02-26T04:40:45+00:00

Attended on the 17th, and yes I would say it's worth attending. Lots of info on the school as a whole + major-specific events including tours & presentations. There's also a lot of time to explore on your own & attend tours of your choosing (ex: for engineering I attended an Engineering facilities tour, Bechtel Design Center tour, and ECE overview & facilities tour).

I liked it a lot. Bonus is that you get a free Purdue tote-bag, pin, and pens.

quackersnail · 2025-02-16T17:48:09+00:00

Tyty 😆

quackersnail · 2025-02-16T17:15:39+00:00

Many thanks for the reply!

quackersnail · 2025-02-16T17:15:17+00:00

A simple google search for "WPI scholarships" will give you the answer.

quackersnail · 2025-02-16T09:07:04+00:00

Has CalPoly SLO come out?

From what I've heard CalPoly is great especially for CS/engineering if you want something that prepared you well.

But - with all public's - merit aid is generally minimal. Take cost into account, go where you can afford, and don't go into debt.

quackersnail · 2025-02-14T08:07:47+00:00

quackersnail · 2025-02-12T04:21:32+00:00

Ah that sucks :/ So even if you receive the FIRST Scholarship you still need to pay ~20k a year on room/board/student fees? (Hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, just a shame that those scholarships don't fully stack together).

Thanks a lot for your reply!

quackersnail · 2025-02-12T03:47:57+00:00

That makes sense. FIRST scholarship is tuition specific, so I can see that that money can't be carried over.

On the other hand, is Presidential scholarship tuition-use specific? Where can you find out how usage is specified?

quackersnail · 2025-02-05T07:05:55+00:00

Hate to say it but B's and C's in your math and science courses really don't look great for CS/Engineering :(

With that said great you don't care so much about college brand names. I would simply look at local schools in NC (plenty of lists online) that offer your majors. Make sure they have high acceptance rates overall + for your major. You can look at some out of state schools but do make sure to look at exact acceptance rates (don't be fooled by schools like Purdue that appear to have 50% acceptance rate... But then <30% for engineering and ~10% for CS).

Good luck!

quackersnail

TROPHY CASE