I feel like I’m in a somewhat similar situation as you — considering UMASS highly but I definitely prefer the city to the Amherst size community. It also seems like the better financial options do not equate to the rich research experiences at other universities. Also, I’ve been sort of a nomad so it appears I have no in state tuition benefits anywhere...
Honestly, I didn’t even apply to MGH or BU because of the cost—they were both significantly higher than any other program. My offers are at UMASS, Temple, SLU, USF, FIU and still waiting on the waitlist at UW. I was feeling confident that going to the school that is the cheapest was the best option, especially since I do still have loans from undergrad. Going to the cheapest option is just about what every SLP has told me—but perhaps I’m talking to people with different goals than my own. However, the two more expensive offers seem to have more of what I’m looking at: bilingual opportunities including a clinical experience abroad and aphasia research & lab. I am now second guessing myself and thinking it would be a huge mistake to choose somewhere that doesn’t have the rich research component I’m looking for. I am interested in a thesis and want to possibly get my PhD as well. I want to be in an aphasia research lab and look at fMRIs and be apart of more hands on research rather then surveys and questionnaires... Do I compromise for now and take the lower cost with more questionable opportunities for research? Or do I put myself into a hole of debt for more likely or guaranteed research opportunities?
(Also have a GA offer for about $12k in tuition and $10k in stipend. Potential offer to be fully funded at another university. Potential opportunities for funding year 2 at a couple places with no year 1 funding offers. Potential that if someone doesn’t accept their offer at Temple that I may be offered a $10k scholarship there)