Thanks for all your input. Really provided me with a lot to think about.
garlica - Nice to meet another AmeriCorps member in the same boat! I find that AmeriCorps helps open quite a few doors for Grad school, but still doesn't set you up to afford the full tuition. I also have some undergrad loans left over (I graduated with 19 G in debt, but will only have 8 G left when I use my ed awards - not huge, but the interest rate is high)
In regards to the difference between the two programs, I would say that I am more inclined towards the MPA because I can specialize (international development most likely), and also because I have a little more flexibility with the course selection than the MA at ISU. But as quite a few of you have mentioned, there is still some question about whether the choice will really have that long of an effect.
lbjane - I won't hear back from UW for another month (mid-March), so I'm jumping the gun a bit when it comes to deciding which program would be best. I'm a little stressed about the entire issue and I thought if I got a few opinions from people in the same boat it would help me chill out a bit. Receiving financial aid from UW would definitely sway my decision but my stats are only a bit above average when compared to acceptance stats so I don't have too much confidence that I'll receive a lot (or any) aid. UW has a very good track record with setting up alumni at well known public organizations, but ISU alumni often get hired at the organization they intern for in their second year.
I think both programs have their merits - I studied Poli Sci in undergrad so it would be nice to continue studying it in Grad school, but an MPA would be more targeted towards working for public organizations I think.
Anyway, thanks for all the input and feel free to address some of the issues I've brought up in this post too.