BS2015

I have been trying to decide which school I want to attend in the fall. I feel like I have looked at all of my options inside and out, and I am still not sure what my best course of action is. I think I have limited it to two schools. Those schools are the University of Iowa and a university in my home state (also my undergraduate school). Some background information: I plan to do a master's thesis wherever I end up going because I want to get my PhD after getting my CCCs and working for a few years. My biggest research interest is in aphasia. I am graduating without undergraduate debt. At the University of Iowa, I would have access to research in aphasia AND clinical work that includes people with aphasia. The catch is the tremendous amount of loans it would take in order for me to afford to go there. At this point I would probably have to take out loans for the entire 2 years, including some for living expenses(This is assuming I do not receive any help for the entire time, but I am thinking of the worst case scenario here.). Iowa would also offer me the chance to take more classes in areas of interest and work with a very diverse set of clients. On the other hand, my home state school would not only be very affordable, but I have been offered a graduate assistantship and scholarships that would make attending nearly free. This school does not have access to aphasia research, and chances are I would not be able to work with clients with aphasia until my last semester (in my medical externship placement). There is access to research on TBIs, which is a secondary interest of mine. This program also do not have a PhD program. I have been advised that if I want to get my PhD after graduating from this program, I would likely get in and be able to do it, but I am unsure how PhD programs would look at a degree from this institution and the lack of research in my area of interest. I am torn. I don't know which program would be better for my long term interests. Graduating from the University of Iowa would obviously be awesome, but being able to graduate without debt sounds awesome, too. Does anyone have any advice pertaining specifically to this situation?