Marquette Grad here ('07). Sounds like you want to work in sports. I didn't read every post, but that was the impression I was left with. I currently work in the sports field and as a recent MU graduate let me give you a few words of advice. As far as money goes, don't let money be the determining factor. It can be a factor, but don't let it be the final decision. I had almost no money to pay for Marquette, but I found ways around it. There are great campus jobs (work for Student Safety Programs). Also, you might want to look at being an RA. I was an RA for 2 1/2 years in one of the dorms and I can say that I saved at least $20,000 in room and board over that time. Since you are a guy, you will have an easier time as well (typically they have a ton more girls apply than guys). If you like football and baseball, MU will suck as a sports school. I personally don't like basketball and cannot stand soccer so I was in sports hell for four years. As for getting a job, places like the Bucks and the Brewers hired interns year round and if you go to MU, you will just about triple the number of open spots. Internships are key to getting a job with a major sports team. Also, don't worry about the neighborhood, it is not as bad as it looks. Lastly, as a person who works in sports, don't expect to make a ton of money right out of college. If that is what you want, you better be a heck of a salesman or go into a different field. To everyone that thinks a college degree is not neccessary, you are right. But life is a lot harder without it. "Those who have a bachelor's degree or higher have twice the annual median income than someone with only a high school degree," -The National Center for Education Statistics (2005).