Is Slightly Higher Cost Worth the Name Recognition?

[strawberrian]

Hi all, 

I'm lucky enough to have been accepted into a few great environmental policy programs, with funding, and now have the fortunate difficulty of choosing. I have been accepted at SIPA for their MPA in Environmental Science and Policy, American University's MA in Global Environmental Policy, and George Washington University's MA in Environmental Resource Policy. Obviously SIPA is by far the most expensive, but I have received funding from all schools that make SIPA only about $8,000 more. It is also a 1 year program, so while I may not be able to work as much during the program, the idea is I would be working full-time 1 year sooner than any other program. 

I would be be taking out loans to cover whatever the fellowship doesn't for all the programs, so I'm wondering if the extra cost of SIPA is worth the prestige of the Columbia name/network opportunities, or if paying less and being able to work part-time for two years is a better financial decision. Not sure if anyone has insight or experience with this!

Thanks!

[SerenityNow!]

Two other considerations I would through out there is in a two year program you will be able to do a summer internship, which depending on how much work experience, can be a good way to bolster your resume and potentially get your foot in the door for a job upon graduation.

Also DC and NYC are very different in terms of city culture and the immediate job prospects you will have available to you - I think it is worth considering whether you want to work for the federal government and essentially be surrounded by it, have the opportunity to intern there, or at other government adjacent places like federal consulting firms. In NYC you will have a different set of opportunities and people to network with - my guess would be slightly more private sector focused?

I think when it comes to the total bill 8K, while it isn't nothing, shouldn't be enough to make you not attend your top choice program. I do think that prestige doesn't matter that much, and its not like you are comparing Columbia with Eastern Illinois, for example I went to a big Midwest state school and regularly work with people who went to Harvard for their MPAs and we get paid the same amount/get promoted at the same rate.

[rising_star]

I think there are advantages to a two year program, particularly the opportunity to get more training through internships and coursework. I also think it's worth considering that the cost of living in NYC is going to be higher than that in DC... They're all good programs.