Cheaper Alma Mater or Take a Chance on Bigger School?

[Psych1st]

Hi! I was recently accepted to a big state school for my Master's in Mental Health Counseling. This school is out of state but it has a lot of opportunities. It's about $50k for the degree if I don't get a GA position (which I won't know until later). It's pretty much down to this school and my alma mater which is a very small school in the middle of nowhere. I loved that school and it would be a lot easier to go there and wouldn't really put me out of my comfort zone as it's less than hour from my home town. That school is about $25k without a GA position, which again I wouldn't know about until much later. Is it okay to go out of state and spend more for a Master's? I am well aware of the salary for my profession going into it and I know it's not high which is why I avoided schools that would be any more than $50k. No one else in my family has gone for an advanced degree so I'm afraid to make the wrong decision. Any advice would be appreciated!

p.s. the admissions process for my alma mater isn't until JUNE for the fall start. I have to let the bigger state school know by 3/3 and it starts in the summer  

[PsyDuck90]

Clients usually don't care where you went to school. Go to whichever program leaves you with the least amount of debt upon graduation. 

[bitcohen]

Personally, I would steer you towards a cheap state school, or wherever you get the best financial aid package. There's no need to graduate with crushing debt if you don't need to.