How important are program rankings for an MA?

[twentysix]

I applied to 5 MA programs in my field, Latin American History.

 

I was rejected by the #1 program in the field.

 

I was accepted with no funding (they aren't funding anyone this year) to the #3 program in the field, COL is low.

 

I was accepted with a $25,000 departmental fellowship for the first (and possibly only) year of the #5 program. However the fellowship does not cover all of my out of state tuition, I would be left with $6,000 out of pocket, COL is high.

 

I was accepted with an $18,000 need based fellowship and tuition/health insurance/fee waiver for the first year of the #12 program, and they have a 100% assistantship placement among their current grad students, COL is high.

 

I'm waiting to hear from a private program (worse than #12) with loads of money. It seems possible that I will get in and get funding, COL is average.

 

Which program should I go with, my goal is to use the MA to broaden my area knowledge/foreign language skills, create contacts, and springboard me into a top 10 PhD. I am earning both a BA and BS from a very high research activity (the top level) research university that does not have a prestigious reputation (not an AAU). Every choice was hand selected and offers great fit with the department and also offers at least three POI.

 

Is going to the #5 program worth ~$24,000 out of pocket vs going to the #12 program with no out of pocket expense?

Edited March 8, 2015 by twentysix

[twentysix]

I would be very interested in pursuing a PhD at the #3 and the #5 program, but not at the #12 program.

Edited March 8, 2015 by twentysix

[Abyss21]

From what I've been told, they're not all that important, especially compared to your PhD. If you plan on doing a PhD, I'd say find a balance and choose a place that'll give you good funding so that you could save up money for the long haul.

[twentysix]

I do intend to do a PhD, but only if I can get into a top 10 program. Which is why I am valuing the prestige of UCLA (#5).

Edited March 8, 2015 by twentysix

[rising_star]

Rankings matter less than the placement of their recent students. Where have recent MA graduates gone on to PhDs and what percentage of graduates did so? Those are important questions you should be considering, rather than looking strictly at ranking.

[twentysix]

Thanks for the tip, I have inquired about MA placement in PhD programs.