Columbia ETP 2015

Psuche · Feb 14, 2015

According to the financial aid office, the aforementioned $280K figure is the average debt load *including* any previous loans (which means Divalicious was right).

Also according the financial aid office, the average total of tuition and fees for the ETP year is somewhere the high 50s to low 60s, again due to grant several folks have mentioned, which is variable and need-based (using the FAFSA's EFC, it seems).

In the years thereafter, tuition and fees are approximately 50K/yr., but as others have noted, apparently there are grants that could lower that a bit too.

That puts my total tuition and fees estimate for the 2.5 yrs. (not including the high cost of living) at approximately $135K. This is above, but not radically above, the cost of similar programs (not including Penn, which appears to be even costlier).

RaspberryJam · Feb 14, 2015

According to the financial aid office, the aforementioned $280K figure is the average debt load *including* any previous loans (which means Divalicious was right).
Also according the financial aid office, the average total of tuition and fees for the ETP year is somewhere the high 50s to low 60s, again due to grant several folks have mentioned, which is variable and need-based (using the FAFSA's EFC, it seems).
In the years thereafter, tuition and fees are approximately 50K/yr., but as others have noted, apparently there are grants that could lower that a bit too.
That puts my total tuition and fees estimate for the 2.5 yrs. (not including the high cost of living) at approximately $135K. This is above, but not radically above, the cost of similar programs (not including Penn, which appears to be even costlier).

Hey do you mind linking to the page where you found this info? Can't find it.

Also what a relief! $280k was crazy.

Psuche · Feb 14, 2015

Ah, right, I spoke with them on the phone. They were pleasant and straightforward, and frankly, this has been my general impression in talking with nursing schools. Gotta say, while nothing's perfect, so far I'm loving the nursing world. Happy Valentine's Day everybody!

umichfnp · Feb 15, 2015

can someone let me know if the css profile is also due for columbia?

snoozyd, NP · Feb 15, 2015

Thanks, psuche! I knew columbia would be pricy, so I'm actually relieved to see your explanation. I like Columbia's program, but the cost was concerning for sure.

BICT · Feb 15, 2015

No CSS for Columbiaâ€¦FAFSA is it.

socalSRNA, BSN · Feb 15, 2015

Anyone have suggestions for the housing situation? As to proximity to campus?

Also do you think we'll get a welcome packet before Visiting Day or the enrollment deadline? I'm just craving more information about pre-enrollment (CPR, physicals...etc)! :)

Psuche · Feb 16, 2015

You're welcome, SnoozyD :) Your posts have brought me many ideas to noodle upon, as well as a bunch of smiles!

I can say that the Columbia tuition numbers were a relative relief when I heard them too. Still, compared to some other programs on the radar (such as Vanderbilt and BC), the Ivies do end up leading toward about $100K more debt (just when we ran our own numbers/estimates). This has less to do with tuition differences than it has to do with the differences in housing costs and lost income/opportunity costs (due to the Ivies being half a year or a full year longer). This can be worth it, but it's just important data to consider before "buying." Vanderbilt, for instance, might not be quite as highly ranked as Yale, but it's clear that in recent years, their overall ranking on USNews has been steadily climbing, now being at #16 in the National rankings. It's also in Nashville, which is considered a family-friendly and up-and-coming city according to several "best city" rankings.

Columbia, UCSF, Yale, Vandy, Duke, Hopkins, Penn, Boston College, etc.... These are all such incredible schools that I have to pause sometimes in wonder that schools of this caliber are even considerations. In other words, no matter where we all end up, it feels like we're super-lucky. I'm excited to see where we all decide to go. Anyhow.... Happy deciding, everybody!

DoulaMe · Feb 16, 2015

I get similar numbers for all three schools as long as you spend wisely. It's hard to account for how much you will spend moving 3 times all across the country for Vandy's clinicals

DoulaMe · Feb 16, 2015

My specialty is CNM though and it's 3 years at all 3 schools.

umichfnp · Feb 16, 2015

thanks, BICT! other schools require CSS profile and all the in-depth questions about parents data was driving me nuts.

Just to confirm, the 2015-16 FAFSA is all thats required, right? Not 2014-15.

Psuche · Feb 16, 2015

That's so interesting, DoulaMe. Yes, I can see how the numbers would be become more similar with the 3 year program length for midwifery. For the psych specialty, the program's 2 years long at Vanderbilt, making it less expensive there for that

specialty.

Midwifery's probably more though, especially if it's longer and has clinical relocations. The psych specialty doesn't seem to require any of the moves or relocations you mentioned, but yes, I can see how that would be something to consider with a specialty that would.