When deciding where to go to college, many students heavily weigh location. Some people may prefer the sunshine on the West Coast, while others prefer the seasonal East Coast. Each has benefits and drawbacks, and deciding which coast to pursue one’s education depends on a range of factors.

West:

Pros: The West Coast proudly boasts states with some of the best public schools in the nation, with the University of California (UC) system, which hosts various schools like UC Los Angeles, UC Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara. Not only are these some of the best public schools in the United States, but they are also some of the best overall universities in the world. According to the U.S. News and World Report, UC Berkeley is ranked as the 17th best college in the United States, a powerful achievement considering it is a public school. Along with top-notch education on the West Coast, the weather is usually very temperate and sunny year-round. Many of these California schools are desired heavily based on their climate, adding to their appeal.

Cons: Many West Coast schools are in California, which is not a perfect fit for all. Schools in the Pacific Northwest region are also not exactly renowned for their balmy weather. On the West Coast, the weather is consistent year-round. Students looking for a true four seasons, found at many East Coast schools, may be disappointed. Along with these factors, the cost of living in California and Washington is quite high compared to other states. California has one of the highest costs of living in the entire country. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office of California, “Perhaps even more importantly for a first-time home buyer, a bottom-tier home in California is now about 32 percent more expensive than a mid-tier home in the rest of the U.S.—a gap that has widened over the last decade.”

East:

Pros: Home to all eight Ivy League schools, the East Coast of the United States has many of the top schools in the world. With prestigious universities all around the East Coast, many people believe that the education often found on the East Coast is superior to that on the West Coast. Living costs are significantly cheaper than in California (except in states like New York). Recruiting for finance jobs is also more common there, as many business and finance jobs are available on Wall Street in New York. Finally, various climates are available on the East Coast, with colder places like Massachusetts and warmer options like Florida.

Cons: The climate is more seasonally dependent than the West Coast in many places, and many schools are home to bitterly cold winters. Many of the famous Ivies are towards the north, meaning they experience colder climates than schools on the West Coast. In addition, an issue many Redwood students may face is the vast distance between their college in the east and their families living in the west.

While both the East and West have drawbacks and advantages, the East Coast is a better place to pursue college because it has a greater variety of high-quality schools and a significantly lower cost of living.