UVM or APU for Master's Entry Program?

Hello there,

I was accepted into University of Vermont for Fall 2012 and Azusa Pacific (in San Diego) for Summer 2013. The difference is about 9 months apart. I am from California and was very excited to stay in Cali, but when I found out that I won't be going to APU until next year, I was torn between the 2 choices.

For one, I did a spreadsheet yesterday to see what the cost difference would be, and it seems like APU would cost much less. $80,000 less!! My tuition would be through the roof at UVM since I would be considered as an out-of-state student. I also accounted for transportation, meals, and rent. For example, flying back and forth from Vermont to Cali would cost me ~$500 each round trip, where San Diego would cost me ~$80. I also would prefer to stay in Sunny SD rather than tread through 6 months of winter at Vermont. SD also seemed to have better opportunities for having a life outside of school than Vermont.

However, I don't think costs and choice of environment should be the deciding factor. I wanted you guy's opinions to see which is the better school. Vermont ranks higher than APU. Vermont is also a bigger University with its own Hospital. I think both programs are good from what I've read but I haven't decided which is better. I've spoken to the doctor I'm working for, and he said that usually you usually get what you pay for. But Vermont costs more mostly because I would be out-of-state. If I was an in state student, the cost for tuition would be roughly the same.

If this were you, what would you do?