[digitalsurgeon]

While the education in Germany is no doubt great. But the benefits of studying in Harvard or Stanford outweigh free education by miles, IMO. I got my MS degree in Finland, my wife got her MS and PhD from Finland. But we both want to send our kids to Harvard or Stanford.

[Daishiman]

The problem is, if your kids can't cut it to Harvard or Stanford, or they don't qualify for aid, what are you going to do? Sink $250K+ in education for your kids?

[mcv]

That might be true, but not everybody can get into Harvard or Stanford, and for most people, those universities are prohibitively expensive.

If you're part of the tiny elite for whom Harvard and Stanford are an option, by all means go for it. But for a lot of people, studying abroad might be a better idea.

[mafribe]

There's a nice: do your undergraduate in Europe for free (and do well there), then do a Masters at your target US elite institution. Much cheaper, same brand recognition and Masters programs are a lot less selective, i.e. easier to get in.

[chadzawistowski]

Why do you think that is the case? What sort of benefits do you feel you are you missing out on?

[ahomescu1]

I can't speak for digitalsurgeon, but I can think of a few (without having ever studied at either of those universities):

1) The professors. Imagine taking classes and interacting with Nobel prize winners, or other famous people in your field (let's say, taking a class with Knuth at Stanford).

2) The networking/social aspects. Imagine being college roommates with "the next Mark Zuckerberg", whoever that may be.

3) More cynically, the pedigree. This one isn't strictly required, but it helps enormously if you want to get into academia, and it can also help you with an industry career or start a startup (it can make things easier).

[Squarel]

1) This happens at other universities, including ones in Europe. Imagine walking the same corridors as Newton walked, or being taught by professors who currently work at CERN. 2) Most top tier universities would have this, imagine being college roommates with the next Stephen Hawking or Prime Minister. 3) The pedigree depends on what you are studying, and other nations have their own prestigious universities