IFA MA vs. UT-Austin PhD

[Photo2008]

Hello everyone

I'm interested in studying photography (including issues of class, power and the documentary genre).

I was accepted to the IFA's MA program, and the UT Austin PhD American Studies program (which would have a strong photography angle). I am wait-listed at U Michigan-Ann Arbor's PhD art history program.

I ultimately want to get a PhD, then teach and curate photography.

IFA is tremendously respected, and would open a lot of doors (maybe more in curating than academia), but would cost $70,000.

UT Austin is of course free. But do you think it 1.) is respected / opens doors and 2.) might allow me to keep a foot in both academic and curating worlds?

I would appreciate any insight you might have.

Thank you!