Schools Affordable College & Living Options for State Residents with Low Income

[Gear300]

I'm thinking of moving to a state that has a public university with a decent physics program, in which I have a chance of getting into. I don't have much money on me, so I want to keep the costs low; before applying to the college, I'll be staying in the state for a while, so I'll need affordable apartment costs (under only a $12 000 yearly salary...I'll be applying for a job right when I get there, so it may take a few days to start full time). As a state resident, I should be able to pay less for tuition aside from financial aid. My current options so far are (suggestions for adding more and cutting out some are welcome):

Berkeley
UC Santa Barbara
UC LA
UC San Diego
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Washington
Penn State
University of Maryland, College Park

Out of this, California seems to be the safest bet considering it has 4 universities on the list...I'm just not sure about living costs...I also heard from a source, that ideally, the monthly rent for an apartment should be below 50% of the monthly income (30% would be the ideal amount); I will most likely not be able to keep that sort of proportion up...even now I'm not keeping that proportion up (quite frankly, I'm not sure I can do that without a college degree). I want to keep all my moving out/in costs under $1700 (including the first month's rent) for the first month...I'm not sure how practical all this sounds, so any advice is appreciated.

 

[thrill3rnit3]

A 1-bedroom apartment here in LA is about $900-1000 (give or take), with certain amenities free.

Just in case it helps you with your budgeting plan

 

[Gear300]

A 1-bedroom apartment here in LA is about $900-1000 (give or take), with certain amenities free.

Just in case it helps you with your budgeting plan

Hmmm...its an okay amount...though its quite a lot for the first month. This is some helpful advice, thanks...that pricing is the average in LA, right?

 

[thrill3rnit3]

Hmmm...its an okay amount...though its quite a lot for the first month. This is some helpful advice, thanks...that pricing is the average in LA, right?

yes, that is the average cost

 

[eri]

All the towns you mentioned in CA are expensive to live in. And most apartments will require two months rent up front (deposit). Here are the residency requirements for CA. http://www.registrar.ucsb.edu/residenc.htm You need to live in the state for more than one year before you can be considered, so it's too late now to get residency before school starts next fall. I live in one of the cheapest parts of the country, and it's still hard to live here on a grad student salary (16k or so for most students). 12k a year in CA? Definitely not in a city.

 

[Gear300]

All the towns you mentioned in CA are expensive to live in. And most apartments will require two months rent up front (deposit). Here are the residency requirements for CA. http://www.registrar.ucsb.edu/residenc.htm You need to live in the state for more than one year before you can be considered, so it's too late now to get residency before school starts next fall. I live in one of the cheapest parts of the country, and it's still hard to live here on a grad student salary (16k or so for most students). 12k a year in CA? Definitely not in a city.

I see, thanks for the reply...so I'm guessing that means you suggest otherwise. I'm actually planning to live in a state with a small job (full-time since I won't be a student for a while) for a year or two before starting university. Right now I'm independently studying mathematics and physics through books and the Internet, so I'll be doing that as well while I'm there. The thing is that I need to choose the right state...any further suggestions?

 

[colonelcrayon]

Michigan is a cheap place to live right now, but you might have trouble finding a job.

 

[Gear300]

Michigan is a cheap place to live right now, but you might have trouble finding a job.

I see...Ann Arbor has a 42% acceptance rate, which isn't bad...though I need to get a job at full time as fast as possible for the best of interests. Michigan seems like an alright idea so far. Are there any other public universities one can recommend?

 

[Vanadium 50]

Before you go, you do realize that many places require a waiting period before you are eligible for in-state tuition, specifically to keep people from living in one state and moving to another to attend school there.

 

[Gear300]

Before you go, you do realize that many places require a waiting period before you are eligible for in-state tuition, specifically to keep people from living in one state and moving to another to attend school there.

yup...I'll have to live in the state for some time depending on residency policies...it'll allow me to save up some money as well...the problem I'm having is trying to find the right state - I'm moving primarily for my chances at a good/decent physics program there (though I do need to take into account living costs).

 

[mg0stisha]

Madison is relatively cheap to live in, you can find a one bedroom economy house or apartment for pretty cheap (600-700/month). Also, cost of living is cheap and there are a TON of places around you as far as getting a job. Plus, it's awesome there :)

 

[Gear300]

Madison is relatively cheap to live in, you can find a one bedroom economy house or apartment for pretty cheap (600-700/month). Also, cost of is cheap and there are a TON of places around you as far as getting a job. Plus, it's awesome there :)

Sounds good...how is the University of Wisconsin, Madison at physics anyways?

 

[mg0stisha]

In the US News poll, i think they're somewhere around the 20-30 range.

EDIT: I lied, they're higher! 16th.

 

[Gear300]

In the US News poll, i think they're somewhere around the 20-30 range.

EDIT: I lied, they're higher! 16th.

Thanks for the help, and it looks good...the living costs don't seem too bad either, though I'll still have to look more into things. Anyone have any further advice on other universities and their states?

 

[Gear300]

Is there anything anyone can mention about University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

 

[hitmeoff]

Have you given a thought to UC -Irvine? That's where I go. I am a pure math-physics (with concentration cin Astrophysics) major and I think they have a great Math and Physics department. Its very friendly with undergrad research.

Dunno how much an apartment would run out here, I live near the beach so my rent would be higher than it would be if I lived in Irvine. I do know that the OC has cheaper rent than Metro-LA, SD, Santa Barbara and the Bay Area. Plus you don't HAVE to live in Irvine. You could live in Santa Ana, Westminster, Garden Grove, Tustin, etc...that would be cheaper than Irvine AND the drives arent bad. Certainly al ot nicer than ANY drive you'll find in LA (trust me, I know. I went to UCLA for my first bachelors).

Just throwing out an alternative

 

[Gear300]

UC-Irvine?...interesting. I'll be honest, I haven't heard of it. The public transportion between Irvine and the other areas you mentioned is good, right?

 

[Gear300]

Is there any word out there on University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign?

 

[caruso23]

I live near UIUC. It is a great school. I think their condensed matter program is #1. Everything else is pretty good too. I would love to attend grad school at UIUC.


EDIT: Urbana/Champaign is a small suburban type area 2-3 hours from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. I've hung out there some. It's a fun town.

 

[Gear300]

I see...thanks for the reply. It does sound good from the sources I'm looking through and the living costs don't seem too bad there either. How about job availability there (I'm only talking about jobs that settle around without a college degree)?

 

[caruso23]

I don't know too much about jobs really in Champaign/Urbana, but State Farm HQ is in Bloomington. Caterpillar HQ is in Peoria and they have tons of factories and other stuff around Central Illinois. ADM is in Decatur. I'm sure there is a lot more, but I haven't really needed to look for a job in some time. All of those places are within 1.5 hrs from UIUC.

 

[Gear300]

I don't know too much about jobs really in Champaign/Urbana, but State Farm HQ is in Bloomington. Caterpillar HQ is in Peoria and they have tons of factories and other stuff around Central Illinois. ADM is in Decatur. I'm sure there is a lot more, but I haven't really needed to look for a job in some time. All of those places are within 1.5 hrs from UIUC.

That is pretty good. Its not necessary that I live right in the city/town of the university...just the state so that the residency applies. Thanks for the info.

As one further request, how is the University of Maryland, College Park or University of Colorado Boulder?

 

[hitmeoff]

UC-Irvine?...interesting. I'll be honest, I haven't heard of it. The public transportion between Irvine and the other areas you mentioned is good, right?

Yes absolutely

 

[Gear300]

Yes absolutely

How expensive are the living costs in those peripheral areas you mentioned...just as expensive as the big cities I mentioned (is it that California in general is expensive to live in)?

 

[ParisAsta]

If you are looking for a place to attend college and at the same time work, and still have time for other things. Then look for universities that offer programs that allow you to work and at the same time tuition is paid by an outside source.

http://metro-college.com/

Here is a link to something that might interest you. Granted the physics program is no where near a list. This is located in Louisville, KY. I am sure that you may be able to find other programs.

*Metro-College is not a college, it is just what they call the partnership between UPS, KCTC, and UofL.

 

[MissSilvy]

EDIT: Urbana/Champaign is a small suburban type area 2-3 hours from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. I've hung out there some. It's a fun town.

I've lived here and attended this university for almost a year. It IS in the boonies. The town and most of the businesses here revolve around the university and it is a very big college town. If you enjoy student life and don't mind being in the middle of so much corn, great. If you're looking for culture or something city-esque, this really isn't the place for you. That said, cost of living is rather cheap ($500-$700/month apartment for students) but jobs are uncertain. There's not a lot of large companies in U-C so the biggest employer is the university.

And that pretty much sums it up. I love the physics department here as well and even the town, surprisingly.

 

[vociferous]

Speaking from experience, California's cost of living is very expensive, especially San Diego and Orange County, but Santa Barbara is probably not much cheaper.

You are going to have a hard time renting an apartment on $12,000 a year anywhere in California that is reasonably pleasant to live in and near civilization, but tuition (for residents) is one of the best bargains in the US, and you cannot beat the weather and the outdoor activities. If you are going to look into California, you are probably best-off looking to move into a shared living situation. I would suggest checking craigslist for the towns you are interested in.

 

[Gear300]

Thanks for all the replies. Right now, I'm taking a number of factors into account (looking into the metropolitan college, UIUC, and the Californian living costs at the moment). I'll have to make a decision for a state soon.

 

[vociferous]

Sharing an apartment/house with roommates is not so bad. Most college students do it.

 

[Gear300]

Sharing an apartment/house with roommates is not so bad. Most college students do it.

True enough...rather than just making enough money to live, I have to able to save some money in the process as well.

 

[Gear300]

Do airports allow boxed luggage (in other words, instead of a suitcase its a box)?

 

[ParisAsta]

Yes, as long as it can fit under the plane. I think.. check with the airline

 

[jtbell]

Sharing an apartment/house with roommates is not so bad. Most college students do it.

I didn't have an apartment to myself until I finished graduate school and got my first job!

 

[Gear300]

I didn't have an apartment to myself until I finished graduate school and got my first job!

Yeah...I would be saving a good amount of money.

Yes, as long as it can fit under the plane. I think.. check with the airline

I see...heheh, boxes are cheaper than suitcases.