Is it worth it going to a private school for BSN?

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Hi guys, I recently got accepted to Seattle University for their BSN program this fall 2013 but I am having second thoughts about going. I haven't received much financial aid from the school especially since I'm only 21 and can't claim independent on the fafsa. The tuition per year is 35K and I really don't want to take out 25K in loans per year. About half of these loans would be private loans. I could probably avoid taking out that much loans by working about 30-35 hrs per quarter. That just seems like alot to do while in school. I've already paid my acceptance fee 3 months ago.

The other option (my plan B) would be to go to the cheaper public school UW but not in nursing (I didn't get accepted into their program). I could major in biochemistry/chemistry since I have all the prereqs done for that. I could also probably apply again for the UW nursing program or do the accelerated BSN program after I graduate. I just think that wasting 2 years on this plan seems kind of counterproductive. I also don't really want to go into biochem.

The other plan would be just wait another year and try to get into a two year program.

Should I just take the risk and attend Seattle U for the next 2 years or go on a different path? Thanks.

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Congratulations on your acceptance!

Just think about what you really want. Personally, I went the private school route to guarantee getting in and out as soon as possible. (Granted, my school was a horrible experience overall where we were guinea pigs to new policies and testing measures, but I digress.) I found a job before graduating in a Versant program and will have my first loan ($15k out of $50k total) paid off within my first year with the help of financial aid from my BSN program in California.

It can be done. If you're lucky enough to get a job (it's hard right now, but doable!) you can make consistent payments if you live within your means.

That being said, the market is incredibly saturated right now with new nurses. Waiting a little more might not be a horrible idea.

Just my two cents!

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I agree with everything you say, except perhaps about delaying schooling because the market is saturated with nurses. It seems to me that it makes more sense to get through the BSN and start getting some experience, even if only part time. Plus, there are programs that help with this. For instance, the nursing school I am attending has a deal with the VA hospital in my town that allows the best A students in the class to work study at the VA hospital. The pay is decent, depending on funding. My sister is working at a private hospital as a CNA while they pay for her tuition to a private Catholic university to get her BSN. Of course, programs of this sort come with strings attached, but they are a foot in the door. Putting off life because of a temporary oversupply of nurses doesn't make sense, especially because when that eases, we will be five to ten years older and competing with new nurses who are younger than us. Not trying to criticize anything you said, just my two cents.

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I would stay in the program. You'll be making good money once u graduate ad start working as a nurse, everyone has debt to pay off. Getting into nursing school is hard and sometimes it's a once in a lifetime opportunity! Good luck in whatever choice u make. :)

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I've decided to go to Seattle U after all. Thanks for all the replies and advice guys!

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I'd wait and go to public school take some extra courses or something to help you get in. 25k a year is a lot of money and will take you years to pay off. So pretty much it's 25k per year for 20 years or wait 1 or 2 years!!!

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UW is not much cheaper than Seattle U; in fact, it is one if the most expensive public universities in the country. WSU is quite a bit cheaper, but you would have to move to Eastern Washington and would probably have to pay room and board. Congrats on your acceptance to Seattle U!

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I would also stay. I know that I would want to get my nursing license as soon as possible, if you wait to apply somewhere else ther is no guarantee that you would be accepted. Congrats!!!

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I go to a private Catholic university and find it very worth it to pay the tuition. The public schools in my state (community colleges and state schools) are very competitive. They just don't have the room to accept everyone. I got rejected from a state school (with so-so NCLEX pass rates) & in my letter they said they had over 300 students apply... They only have 60 slots.

I will only be attending my private school for 2 years (completed all my pre reqs at community college) and was able to get some good scholarships from them as a transfer. I also plan on applying for more private scholarships for next year. Look into that for next year. See which hospitals and businesses offer scholarships. Even a $500 scholarship can help.

Another idea (and something I am considering) is to apply to work as a resident assistant in the dorms. I am considering this because I am a traditional college student so I live on or near campus anyways & my school pays for your room, board & meal plan if you are a RA. If I am accepted to do that, my tuition will drop down to $14k for my last year.

I hope this helps. Good luck and congratulations!

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The RA idea is really good. I never knew about that until now (I've always lived off campus). I shall look into that this coming year, thanks for the tip!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Oh my Goodness!! Are you really considering a degree that will incur $75 - $100k in loans ????? That doesn't make any sort of financial sense. You will be mortgaging your future, saddled with debt that is going to impact every aspect of your life. Nursing programs have notoriously high attrition rates; what happens if you are unable to complete your final year?

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I hear you, these money issues are very stressful. It's a risk I'm prepared to take and I'll have to make 100% sure that I will graduate in 2 years.

Hopefully from grants, scholarships and work I can take out significantly less loans my final year.

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