Wagner MPP vs Rockefeller MPA

[NM101]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently deciding between two policy programs for this fall, and would appreciate some insight as final decisions approach.

I'm deciding between the MPA program at SUNY Albany's Rockefeller College, and the new MPP program at NYU Wagner. I was also accepted into McCourt and Trachtenberg's MPP programs, but the costs of attending either have removed them from consideration. Currently, I'm leaning towards policy analysis or public finance as my ultimate target post-grad. In terms of location, New York City or Washington would be ideal locations for me. I have visited and liked both schools, but preferred Wagner due to its location in NYC and the quantitative focus of the curriculum.

I've received funding from both schools: an assistantship at Rockefeller that would cover all tuition - plus a stipend - for at least the first year, and a scholarship from Wagner. However, even with this funding, I would still be paying nearly $60,000 to attend Wagner's one year program, the majority of which I would need to take out in loans. Naturally, this amount of debt concerns me. Thankfully, cost of living at Wagner would be zero as I would be living with family; I would have to cover all of these costs at Rockefeller, which would eat away at the cost difference. However, I'm also concerned that I would be giving up exceptional networking and career opportunities by not attending Wagner, especially given the career tracks I'm interested in, whether they be in NYC or DC. Sort of attached to this, I'm interested in seeing how the Rockefeller program is viewed in New York and DC circles; I know it has an outstanding reputation in New York State, but does that carry over to those two cities?

In sum: would the opportunities Wagner could provide outweigh the cost of attendance, or would I be situated just as well with a Rockefeller degree? Thank you! 

 

[3dender]

Sounds like you want to go to Wagner.  They say you shouldn't take out more debt than one year's salary at the job you'll get out of school.  By that standard $60k isn't too much.  Go with your gut.

Edited April 7, 2017 by 3dender