<p>Well, this is a difficult and highly personal question. There is no right or wrong answer. Our family is extremely debt averse, on principal, and we did not believe it sensible to take on significant/uncomfortable levels of debt, no matter the school. But a small degree of manageable debt <em>could</em> be worth it, in some cases. How much would be tolerable is a highly personal issue and not something that CC folks can really offer guidance with…</p>
<p>That said, I sympathize with your concern and query. We wrestled with a similar dilemma and made the personal decision that USC SCA (where son was also accepted) wasn’t worth loan debt, as compared to taking on no debt at Chapman (given son’s significant merit scholarships). This was a tough decision, but now that son is at Dodge, we know it was the right choice. </p>
<p>CSULB has a solid program. We know two recent graduates and one just finished a very much sought-after internship at Pixar. It took both these hard-working, serious-minded young ladies 6 years to graduate, however, for various reasons (including, but not limited to, problems with class availability, which will likely get worse in upcoming years)–but that is common for CSUs. The CSULB program is good, so if it means no debt for your D and family, it is definitely worth considering. I know less about CSUN, but have read/heard good things about it, too. </p>
<p>Chapman is phenomenal and we are confident our son will graduate in four years, with internships, and Honors College to boot. We couldn’t be happier with the engaged and energetic faculty, world-class facilities, upward trajectory of the program–all of it. But whether it or any program is ‘worth’ a lot of debt–I’d be careful and encourage financial safeties like CSULB (you are in CA, correct?). Perhaps if your D understands that Chapman may not be feasible financially, it is worth applying to see what the school grants in merit aid, etc. Chapman was very generous to us. </p>
<p>Best of luck. Maybe others can tell you more about Colorado and Columbia.</p>