Would love an opinion - Umass CPPA, or Wagner

[clover123]

So I got a couple great admits this cycle and was really not expecting to get all acceptances, but needless to say, it feels good.

Here's something I've been thinking about for a while, and would love an unbiased/outside opinion.

I'm an international student (India) and I'm interested in working with nonprofits eventually, or maybe even private sector consulting. I definitely want to return to India later on, where the salaries are a lot lower compared to the US.

I think that Wagner is a great school since they have connections with all the right places, BUT the loan I'd have to take is pretty huge considering they offered me no aid. I applied to Umass without knowing too much about the program, but I liked the look of it, and it definitely is a lot cheaper. Besides, they have a lot of opportunities for offering graduate assistantships, which would significantly reduce my loan.

Now my question is, although a part of me wants to just attend Umass, because I woulnd't spend my entire life paying off a loan on my small income, I also feel stupid letting go of a school like Wagner.

I'd really like to know what you guys think.

Thanks a lot!