#Iowa State University Vs. Drexel University

5 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

fast axle
#

schools: iowa state university vs Drexel university
intended major: interior design
similarities: same major, balance of theory + practice, interdisciplinary opportunities, professors within the industry
costs: ~$22,000/yr over 4 years: ISU, ~$40,000/yr over 5 years: Drexel (Cost of Attendance)

Notes: i am a US citizen, and my parents are paying for college. they can afford about $20,000 per year for me. at the start of my college search, iowa state was among my top choices, but later through the college process, i started to consider other schools as well.

Iowa State (Ames, Iowa)

school 1 pros:

  • obviously affordable
  • its a pretty campus with a good amount of nature. i like places with good sceneries
  • big school, but the college of design is their smallest, which feels cozy
  • the people seem very friendly and approachable. also the "iowa nice".
  • 30 mins away from city (des moines)
  • their sequential process of building core design and technical knowledge is pretty neat.
  • ames is nice and quiet while the uni gives energy and fun

school 1 cons:

  • im not too sure how id feel about a college town, but thats probably because i was worried 30 mins from the city would be too far
  • i hope i can be pushed in my program
  • it makes me feel like im missing out on some opportunities in philly/nyc (especially career wise)
  • full range of seasons, but winter can get cold. i haven't experienced winter before, so im unsure of how i might experience it
#

Drexel (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

school 2 pros:

  • without a doubt, the co-op (6 month co-op from years 2-4; during spring-summer; fall-winter is from classes)
  • philly industry advantages + connections to nyc
  • generous (???) scholarship while getting into their honors program
  • it seems like they see me as a strong applicant
  • it seems like a nice place to push myself not too hard, but just enough
  • Drexel will switch to semester systems in august 2027, which might make the pace of the program more manageable

school 2 cons:

  • without a doubt, the cost. its 40k a year but then i could use my earning from co-op to help finance part of it. median co-op salaries for interior design are $18/hr with all the co-op positions paid, which could help. however, i'd also have to take student loans, which im unsure if it would be wise to do, considering my other offer.
  • trying to figure out how to manage finances feels stressful and somewhat confusing (if anyone is willing to help me out with this, id appreciate it!)
  • city atmosphere might not be as pleasant
  • could have less of that traditional college experience, instead very career-oriented

Tiebreaking Considerations

  • Drexel looking financially feasible with some loans (that wont exceed my starting salary post-grad) + co-op earnings
  • if Iowa State could still lead to similar outcomes/opportunities despite the lower cost.
  • would it be better to graduate debt free at Iowa State, or go to Drexel for the opportunities but finish with debt but experience from various co-ops? (for my major)

thank you!

dapper prawn
#

do you know how much money roughly you'll make in drexel? is tere a way to graduate debt free in drexel?

#

from what you wrote it sounds to me you really like frexel

#

so really consider it