[Cory]

I find MasterCAM to be more powerful and allow more user control, but both of those things can hurt novice users. I use it because it's what I learned to use when I took some CNC classes and I've been using it for 8 years, so it doesn't make sense to switch to something else.

You will certainly hit the ground running and make parts faster with HSMExpress. It will likely be easier to teach to other students as well.

90% of the time you won't need 3D machining for FIRST purposes. We make maybe one part every few years that uses it.

MasterCAM doesn't allow for lathe out of the box. There's modules you have to add to get that. If you want full 3D machining capabilities plus lathe, you need Mill level III and Lathe level I. I don't know what that costs with an educational discount, but it's probably in the $7,000-10,000 range full price.