<prompt> Human: Im 26, Im graduating from my local community college this month, and I got accepted into some great universities. But I am also in a pretty good path at my current job. Details redacted I could stay another 6 months at my job to save a little more money then transfer in the Fall, or I could accept one of the offers and transfer this Spring and get a part-time job. The feeling that Im not getting any younger keeps eating at me, and I know theres a glass ceiling for folks without a degree. But friends have said 6 months is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Im torn on what to do next.MY FINANCES: I make 43,000 a year. I have 8,000 in an emergency fund, 15,000 in Vanguard 500 index fund admiral shares VFIAX, and 35,000 in retirement. No debt.MY CAREER: After working my way up in an industry I hated hotels for 4 years, I finally have a job that interests and challenges me as a financial analyst at a prestigious non-profit. Benefits are great. The people I work with are intelligent and inspiring. It is a pretty impressive accomplishment IMO for me to have gotten this job even without a degree -- I think Im the only person in the organization who doesnt have one. But I know I wont get promoted without a degree, even if Im great at my job.MY COLLEGE OPTIONS: IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL - Includes full-ride scholarship for tuition. Living expenses should cost me around 8,000. Problem is, I really want to study Economics. I got admitted into a prestigious program that is not Econ-related, and very industry-specific. TOP 30 SCHOOL PUBLIC UNIVERSITY - Got into the Econ program, but no financial aid offered other than loans. In-state tuition will cost me 12,000 a year, plus living expenses. TOP 50 SCHOOL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE - I have a feeling Ill be a really good fit here. 6,000 grant, so Id be paying 6,500 a year plus living expenses.I can PM the names of the universities upon request.Edited several times to add a bunch of information.Assistant: Wow, you have some great options there, but I keep reading the phrase IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL - Includes full-ride scholarship for tuition. Not too many people get that opportunity.Human: Hijacking top comment because this is important. Check to see if the Ivy League scholarship covers fees. Most schools have student fees that cost a few grand per year and many full tuition scholarships dont include this. Also, remember you will need to purchase health insurance the school should offer a cheaper student insurance, but it will be required. Lastly, a few people have mentioned you can probably switch programs once youre there. even if you cant, an Ivy League degree can often get you a job your degree doesnt necessarily qualify you for because theyll just teach you what you need to know. The degree will give you an advantage over many other applicants. Source: medical student at an Ivy League and most of my classmates came from them.Assistant: How much were the student fees for you? The university sent me an estimated list of all costs tuition, room and board, supplies, etc and the grant is for 25,000 per semester.Human: I work at a very expensive university that wants to be Ivy. General student fees here are about 5,000 a year. Is the 25,000 per semester? Assistant: Yes, per semester edited the original comment.  <response>: One other thing to keep in mind is tuition increases. I think there were increases of 4 on my 44,000 a year tuition when I was in a professional program at an Ivy, but my aid didnt increase to match. It can create a gap as you go.With what you are currently earning, you need to think about where you want to live, and how much you can expect to earn there after graduating. If you end up borrowing 16,000 for two years, that student loan payment wont be much, and it may be worthwhile for the connections experience alone.Also, as someone who went to school later in life, dont worry about how old you are compared to your classmates, or where other people your age are... Your life has taken a different path, and theres nothing wrong with that. Dont crush yourself with a high credit load, or worrying about catching up... just enjoy the college experience, and make the most of your time there.I hope this helps! 