Is an MM from Michigan worth the cost?
I just found out Friday that I have been accepted in the MM - Music Composition program at the University of Michigan. Unfortunately, since I was waitlisted and a spot didn't open up until so late, they were not able to offer me any scholarship money.
As it turns out, out-of-state tuition for Michigan is expensive. For 36 credit hours (i.e., two years), it will cost me $70,000+. I would also need to take out money to live on during those years. So, I'd be taking out nearly $100,000 in loans.
So my question is: Is it worth it? Michigan has a very strong composition program and has a long tradition of composition, with past faculty consisting of William Albright, William Bolcom, and Leslie Bassett. It has also produced many successful composers.
My other option is the University of North Texas. For two years there, it'll cost me around $13,000 total in tuition.
Please let me know your opinions. It's a scary thing for me think about not being able to pay back these loans after I've graduated. One of my teachers suggested maybe I attend UNT for my master's and try for Michigan or another big school for my doctorate, because it'll be more likely that I'll get an assistantship as a doctoral student.
As it turns out, out-of-state tuition for Michigan is expensive. For 36 credit hours (i.e., two years), it will cost me $70,000+. I would also need to take out money to live on during those years. So, I'd be taking out nearly $100,000 in loans.
So my question is: Is it worth it? Michigan has a very strong composition program and has a long tradition of composition, with past faculty consisting of William Albright, William Bolcom, and Leslie Bassett. It has also produced many successful composers.
My other option is the University of North Texas. For two years there, it'll cost me around $13,000 total in tuition.
Please let me know your opinions. It's a scary thing for me think about not being able to pay back these loans after I've graduated. One of my teachers suggested maybe I attend UNT for my master's and try for Michigan or another big school for my doctorate, because it'll be more likely that I'll get an assistantship as a doctoral student.