Hence the unnecessary need to go to an ivy. If a client has no choice in whom they can see than it makes no difference. The field is not high paying so the price tag can unquestionably be a deterrent. Paying an $800+ monthly student loan while making $50,000 is going to be misery. NYU, Columbia, and Hunter graduates all take the same tests when trying to become licensed the only difference is one is not living off Ramen noodles.
In general MA/MS programs are not as competitive to get into. They give a lot less funding to these programs unlike PHD’s and bachelor degrees. If I were to get a PHD I would try to attend a higher ranking college, but not for an MSW. If your ultimate goal is to go into private practice why not get a PHD in psychology? I think most of your future employers would want to know the same. I am not saying there are not successful LCSW in private practice, but many have been social workers for years. I hate to say this, but if a client is worried about the prestige of a college the chances are they would not seek a LCSW rather a psychologist or psychiatrist who went to an ivy.
The tuition goes towards the cost of running a university. Private colleges get no public aid.
I applied to University of Connecticut,Southern Connecticut State University, and Rhode Island College. Anyone know of the financial aid packages these schools provide? I did my fafsa and the only money they will provide me with is loans.