Do elite colleges give a higher quality education than other, non-elite colleges?

Willie Tun: I read a really good article a while ago -- sadly, I don't remember the news website it was on, so no link ;( But I do remember the main message of it -- according to studies of graduate, it wasn't the school that mattered, but the individual. The students who were accepted to elite schools but chose to attend less prestigious colleges for whatever reason still ended up just as well-off as the students who did attend elite schools -- it was the formers' intelligence and drive that placed them at the top of their class and resulted in future success. Someone who would do well in Harvard would do well in any other college :) There is one thing that elite colleges do have that is unique -- a peer group just as smart, motivated, and eager to learn as you. Obviously, there will always be slackers in every school, even in prestigious ones, but there are much less in a school like Yale than flagship state schools. The students at elite schools worked their *** off to! get in, and most take full advantage of the amazing resources and opportunities they receive there. What you learn from them--different experiences, backgrounds, ideals, personalities, etc.--often affects you more than what you learn from classes ;) A note on the tuition thing: Schools with the largest endowments (like Harvard) offer financial aid to even the upper middle class. Many times they end up being a cheaper alternative to other state or less wealthy private schools. But that's why you compare financial aid packages ;) And apply for outside scholarships ;) Oh, another note: I would research colleges other than Harvard and compare. You might find that another college environment would suit you better--different size, campus culture, surroundings, athletic/arts emphasis, etc--and you won't have to compromise in educational standards. Even among the Ivy League, the schools aren't the same; Brown is very different from Harvard, which is very different from Dartmouth, ! which is very different from Columbia! :) Liberal arts college! s like Amherst and universities like Duke still have amazing professors and students, while offering a slightly different college experience from schools like Harvard ;)You may find that Harvard is still the perfect college for you, or you may realize that a different college would be a better "fit". Thankfully, I figured out what colleges are best suited for me before it was too late!...Show more

Kizzy Hett: In general I would say not really. Quality of education at any accredited institution largely depends on how much work the student put in. You are more likely to get to play with the newest toys, and professors with much more experience at an Ivy league place however. As always shop around first, and remember that people can count being the head of a department as experience in that field. This is important because it could be much more administrative work then practice of the skill set....Show more