College and Roadrunners

Are you wondering what I'm talking about a Roadrunner for?? Do you even know what that is?? Do you remember the old cartoon with Wile the Coyote and Roadrunner? Oh anyways.. You know Marc will be graduating next year and college has been a HOT topic around here.. Ricardo and I have a list of places we'd like Marc to consider, University of Texas is on the top of course.. Well, Marc has a different list and so far he seems to have narrowed it down to one- just one.. UTSA (Their mascot is the Roadrunners) My idea of my kids going to college is- moving away from home, living in a dorm, and getting the full experience of college- academics/fun,etc.. Marc's idea is different AND I should've known this! After all I gave birth to him and have raised him right?? He wants to be near home, and likes a more smaller setting as far as school goes. UT is only 45-1hr away in Austin. Too far away.. Seriously??

So heres the breakdown/cost comparison between UTSA and UT
UTSA
2009-2010

Full Time Fall/Spring Undergraduate Resident Student
Living at Home w/Parents
Tuition (based on 15 hours per term
$5126.00
Fees (based on average for 15 hours per term)
$2966.00
Books (based on 15 hours – 5 classes)
$1000.00
 Room (average)
$1837.00
Board (average)
$1470.00
Transportation (average)
$1838.00
Personal/Miscellaneous
$1400.00
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance
$15,637.00  (per yr)

UT
On-campus Housing Costs (2010–2011)

Begin at $8,184
Includes $1,700 for food
Estimated Undergraduate Flat-Rate Tuition and Fees (2009–2010)

Texas resident $8,520 – 9,808
Estimated Total Cost of Undergraduate Education (Fall 2009–Spring 2010)

Texas resident on-campus $22,464 – 27,168
Texas resident off-campus $22,842 – 27,546


So yeah we'll save a little by him going to UTSA, if this is where he ends up choosing to go. My guess is that Marc has had enough moving around in his (almost) 17yrs to last him a lifetime. He has enjoyed San Antonio and wants to stay right here. San Antonio is a great city with so much activity, entertainment, etc.. I guess I can't blame him for wanting to stick around. He must have gotten that "homebody" gene from Ricardo, cause if I had the option of going away to school at my parent's expense no less, that's what I would have done..