What is more important - Reputation or Money?

[Optimistic]

What are people's opinions on this scenario?

I found out I got accepted at a school that will offer me a tuition waiver, teaching assistantship, and an $18K stipend for both years of the Master's program. At my other options, I was looking at going between $40,000-$50,000 in debt within two years. The only thing is, the school that offered me funding is still in the rankings and is a pretty decent school, but is not ranked as highly or with as good of a reputation as the other two schools.

Since I won't be writing a dissertation there, having faculty that match my interests is not quite as vital as if I were going for a PhD, but I think there are enough faculty who share my interests to make it worthwhile. My big concern is, by going to a school with a mid-level reuptation for a Master's, will that hurt my chances of getting into a top 20 PhD program later? Even if I work very hard and really stand out in the program? Does reputation matter that much in these circumstances? I really want to do what is best for a future in academics, but at the same time, it is hard to turn down $18,000 for -$50,000.

[the_communicator]

Personally, I'd go with the money from a solid mid-range school than a strapped existence at an A-list school. Think about if you were financially strapped, what a negative impact this could have on your schoolwork and research. Also remember you can go into a Ph.D. program from an undergrad program, so if you apply to a Ph.D. program with an M.A. that's even more of an advantage.

A professor once told me when I asked about schools, "good people come from everywhere." Yes I think there's a bias towards ivy league & high level institutions, but you can prove your worth coming from anywhere, as long as you have the evidence to show for yourself.

[rising_star]

OMG, go with the money!!! Going to the top program is much less important for a MA. You just need to prove you can do research, handle the classes, and maybe start getting some manuscripts drafted so you have things to submit early in your PhD career. Going into debt for a MA is just silly, imo.

[the_communicator]

Going into debt for a MA is just silly, imo.

Yeah, you have to wait for the Ph.D for that privilege