Help with choosing a school: private vs. state school

[mld1980]

So I already found out I got into an awesome ABSN program at a very reputable private institution. Tuition looks like it's going to run me around $60K. However, there is the possibility that if I work at the hospital associated with the university after graduation that I would be reimbursed for a very large portion of my tuition.

I just found out today that I got into the really competitive masters program in the state where I reside. It's an identical program to the ABSN program at the private school, only the state school terms it a "masters" program--note:it's not an direct entry masters program. They both provide me with 15 hours or so of masters level credits and if I choose, can go on to puruse my DNP, yet the state school tuition is less than half the cost of the private school tuition

Now I've read many many posts about people with ASN's saying that you should go wherever is cheapest to get your RN. However, I plan on going on to get my NP or CRNA after I work for a couple years. Would a brand name school offer me ANY advantage during the application process and/or trying to find a job? I'm willing to look out of state upon graduation for an RN job, so I'm wondering if the brand name will help me in that respect as well.

Thanks in advance!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I urge you to attend the RN program with the cheapest tuition because, in the end, people who attended expensive programs have the exact same RN licenses as those who completed their schooling at cheaper state universities.

When trying to get accepted into a FNP or CRNA program, grades matter far more than the wonderful name of the school. An applicant with a 3.8 or 4.0 GPA from a public state university will get into a CRNA or NP program faster than the person with the 3.2 grade point average from the prestigious college with the great name.

In addition, let us look at the hard numbers. A $60,000 student loan borrowed at 6.875% interest over 120 months will result in a payment of $692.79 per month. My house payment is less than $692 monthly, and I surely wouldn't want to repay nearly $700 in student loans per month because it places limits on your lifestyle. You might eventually want to finance a car, house, or further your education, and $60,000 in student loans will be a hindrance that hangs over your head.