<p>Yeah, there is a difference between 120K in loans and 20K. I’ll grant you that, depending on the fin/aid offered. But in the grand scheme of things, the income of someone graduating from either of these schools is likely to be high enough to cover the loans. Not many people even have a “dream school since 8th grade” and if you do and you are lucky and hardworking enough to get accepted, then it seems like a life experience you should go for, even if it means some sacrifice along the way. I keep thinking that I heard people regret the things they didn’t do so much more than the things they did do even if they didn’t all work out great. I don’t want to be 80 years old, with money in the bank, wishing I’d followed my heart and gone a different path. Live your life according to what you dream of. It’s not always the easiest or most practical plan but you’ll end up where (and who) you were meant to be. Including if your heart tells you debt will overburden you and you don’t want to face that, then that’s who you were meant to be too. Both are good schools but from what I can see, they produce rather different kinds of graduates. If the OP is in love with the pace and setting of New York, they will turn out building a different style of life than someone from SD.</p>