Should I stay in Cleveland and attend CSU or go back to Charleston, SC for college?

Question

I'm from Cleveland and I can't decide whether or not I should spend the ridiculous amount of money to go back to school out of state or get an apartment close to downtown and go to CSU. If I'm going to stay in Ohio, it will be in Cleveland so I can be close to my family... so I don't want to transfer anywhere else. I really loved SC, but it is expensive and I am paying for college on my own. I hate that money is a factor in deciding where I want to go to school, but it just is... I feel like I might regret it if I don't go back to SC, but then might regret what I pay in school loans if I do go back... what would you do?

Answer 1

I'm currently living in Cleveland and work as a career coach and leadership consultant (and I completed my masters at CSU)

You raise an important question. What are you planning on studying? What is the job potential for your career in Cleveland? In SC?

Unfortunately, many, many people are leaving the Northcoast because the economy is pretty poor. If you have the opportunity to relocate to SC (where I understand the economy to be much stronger), then you may want to consider it.

I moved away from Ohio for part of my college studies, and I chose to return to Cleveland ... mostly to be closer to family. At the time, returning home felt like a failure to me, but looking back now (20+ years later), I know I made the right decision. There are a few days when I regret my decision, and I'm certain that I've decreased my earning potential by living in Cleveland, but ...

overall, I feel like I made the right choice for me.

You have the make the best choice for you. Just make sure to consider the decisions when you look back 25 years from today. Worst case scenario, if you move to SC and fail, you'll know you have tried. If you stay in Cleveland, you may always be haunted by "what if ...?"

best of luck!

Answer 2

Hey, I go to CSU too and I have to say it really isn't that great of a school and they keep going up on the tuition. The only reason I am at CSU is because of money issues too, but if you can work it out I'd say go to SC. You can always move back to Cleveland if you get home sick. Also, look into grants, the Foundation Center is located at 14th and Euclid and they are really helpful there too. You can find a grant for SC for education. Just go and ask. Good luck. Remember live life with no regrets! You'll be happier in the long run.

Answer 3

What school are you going to in South Carolina? Is it more prestigious than CSU? What is your major?

CSU has some very strong programs, but it is not a top tier school. Alumni connections and a school's reputation can be very meaningful to you in your future career. However, many graduates of CSU have been very, very successful in their careers, especially in the Cleveland area.

Be certain to compare the CSU major that you're interested in with that at your current school; compare the ability of 2007 graduates at the two schools to get jobs and compare average starting salaries.

You certainly can save some money by paying in-state tuition, especially if you are attending a private school currently.

Before making your decision, talk to a CSU advisor about how many credits you'll receive for courses you've already taken in South Carolina and whether you'll actually have to spend more time in school at CSU to get a degree than at your current school.

CSU has a very good cooperative (work/study) education program, and you might want to check out the opportunities available to you. This can save you some money and help you focus on career opportunities.

Also, you might want consider that CSU has a very large percentage of commuting students. These students, especially the ones that already have jobs, are very serious and under time pressure. As a result, the campus social life is very different than at a residential university. E.g., there is no football team at CSU.

If you're close to your family, and especially if your parents are elderly, I believe that you will personally value getting to know your family members as adults. That certainly was my experience in moving back to Cleveland.

Don't rule out living at home for a quarter or two in order to get your bearings and to save money.

Answer 4

I would just stay in Cleveland, near your family, and go to CSU. The university is undergoing a lot of renovations and expansion, so you can be right in the middle of all of it. Plus, you don't really know what to expect when you go all the way to South Carolina. That is really far away, and you will definately be homesick. And since you said money is a problem, you will seldom get chances to come back to Cleveland to see your family because you are paying a butt-load for tuition and an apartment. So yes, go to CSU

Answer 5

I loved living in downtown Cleveland and going to CSU. I even loved it in the winter. I recently moved to Dallas and miss the heck out of Cleveland. I say to follow your heart. If you really are going to miss going to SC then go, you want me make sure you are happy about your decision.

Answer 6

one hand I would imagine your family and friends are here, and it will say alot of money to stay in Cleveland.

The other SC is nice and warm, and you pay off loans over a long time, plus hopefully a degree will get you a good job to help you pay off your loans too.

It's hard to say but those are some reasoning for either decision of were to go.

Answer 7

Are you still on your parents health insurance or car insurance? Some companies will not cover you if you are not in your home area. I don't want to discourage you,just point out that there may be other expenses to consider other than tuition,books,room and food. A lot of colleges now require students to have health insurance policies and automatically add theirs to your fees if you don't waive their coverage ahead of time and show proof of coverage. If (God forbid) you did get sick or have a crisis and you live out of state,you should also have an emergency fund with enough money to get a flight back home.