GSPIA vs UNT

[tejano]

I've been accepted to the University of Pittsburgh's GSPIA program and a lesser-known MPA program at the University of North Texas (UNT). I have one last pending application with SPEA at Indiana-Bloomington. I'm strongly considering accepting GSPIA's financial offer (in the event SPEA rejects me), which would cover about 1/2 of my tuition expenses. The only thing holding me back is, you guessed it, money (out-of-state tuition is killer).

I got through my undergrad without any significant debt (less than $2,000), and were I to stay at North Texas, I'd finish grad school debt-free as well. The same would not be true if I went to GSPIA, where I'd probably incur about $30K-35K in debt.

I'm looking to go into international nonprofit revenue development (fundraising), but I'm not sure my salary will be adequate to cover the debt.

Is it worth it to go to GSPIA if I believe it'd be a better match?

[Putoots]

Honestly, I think $30,000-$35,000 is pretty reasonable. Even if you are making $35,000-$40,000 for ten years, I think you can still make it work. Right now my top programs -- Ford and SIPA -- would leave me in debt $68,000 and $95,000 respectively, and I'm still considering them.

But you have to think about your personal level of comfort. If you have lived debt free, and enjoyed the associated freedoms, then you may decide to continue living like that...free to leave the country, get that low-paying dream job and still live comfortably, or make a major purchase (house, car, etc.).

On the other hand, if you feel that you won't be happy with the program, coming out debt-free may not be that beneficial if you don't get much out of it.

At this point I would talk to GSPIA, tell them about your financial concerns, and see if they will work with you. You can always try to get more money, even if it is just work-study or something like that...

Edited April 1, 2010 by Putoots