Funding at a highly ranked school or no funding at the top ranked school?

[Bac12]

So here's the situation, I got into the top ranked school for my field (Education), but I got no funding from them, which is totally fine because I wasn't expecting any. Yesterday I found out I was accepted into another school I applied to that is also ranked highly for education. This school has offered me 60% tuition remission and it is only one year as opposed to the other school, which would take two years and is located in a city with a much higher cost of living. I did some rough calculations and it looks like I would save about $35-40,000 by going to the school with funding. My parents are going to help me pay for grad school, but I still can't get over how much less that would cost, and it's still a very well-respected university nationally. I would be getting a Master's in Education and teaching afterwards, so both would get me there. When I write it all down, I'm pretty sure I will go to the funded school, but is there anything I'm missing? Would the top ranked school really benefit me that much more? I would love to hear some honest opinions!

[coonskee]

I don't know how much the rankings differ, but from what you stated, I'd definitely go for the funded one. You don't want to be hard on your pockets or those of your parents - and 40k is a lot of money!

Congratulations on your acceptance!

[echolikebells]

Just curious-- what programs are these that you've been admitted to and are comparing? I'm an M.Ed/M.A.T. prospective student as well!

I wish I could help with this... I'm making the same choice you are, essentially, and posted asking for advice, so I don't have anything to offer you other than well wishes that you can get it figured out!

[Bac12]

Well, Washington University in St. Louis is the M.A.T. program I've been admitted to with funding, and Vanderbilt is the M.Ed. program I've been admitted to without funding. I just read your post and we are in a very similar situation! It's hard because Vanderbilt would be great, but I know that WashU would be as well and it would be SO much cheaper. I don't think my job opportunities or salary would be affected that much by one school or the other, but it's hard to know. Hopefully we can both get this figured out!

[echolikebells]

It is hard! I love basically everything about Vanderbilt and would go there without any doubts if I had funding, but the fact is that Ohio State is going to be so much more affordable. I know we can both get this figured out and happily at that, I just wish I knew how! haha