<p>So for a bachelor’s degree you’re trying to tell me going into debt just to get an ivy’s name stamped on the piece of paper is worth the long-term effects? A graduate degree would be much better from an Ivy, obviously. But how many people look at a resume and say “Oh, he obtained his doctorate from Yale, masters from Duke, but only U of _____ for his bachelor’s? Nope, can’t hire him.” I think the smart choice would be (if and only if money is an issue) going to a State school’s honors, where they would offer you plenty of scholarships, do exceptionally well, and then apply for graduate programs at HYP schools. If you’re able to go to undergrad school there, chances are you can work hard enough at a State school to earn a place in their graduate school; all they’ll look at is you GPA and degree area test (i.e LSAT).
This, however, is coming from a student who is in this dilemma and parent’s are expected to pay 20k+ a year at a school like Harvard even with their help. If I didn’t have the money issue though, it would undoubtedly be an easier choice: I’d take the better ranked school any day.</p>