Columbia MDE vs SUNY Downstate ABSN

[shimso13]

Hi everyone,

 

I am so thankful to have been accepted to both SUNY Downstate and Columbia for their accelerated nursing programs. Columbia was definitely my top choice but after receiving my financial aid package I'm a bit torn on what to do and was hoping for some advice. any input from current students/grads is appreciated.

 

Columbia: extremely expensive tuition (around 80k WITH financial aid), obviously has the prestige, really good program w/ more clinical hours (1000, most nursing programs have 500, more prepared new grads), better hospital affiliations & connections

 

SUNY Downstate: very affordable (~20-25k, Sheesh), also reputable, I've heard complaints from a lot of students abt disorganization but I'm not sure if that's enough to shy away from such a good financial offer. 

I don't really want to be suffering paying off loans and debt but I also don't want to have a poor quality education. I do plan on going to further schooling after working as an RN for a few years (not sure if I wanna do NP or CRNA yet) so I also have to keep that in mind. more school = more debt. I'm just so stuck on what to do and really would appreciate any help or advice from anyone !!