<p>If it were me, and it was between Stanford for $100K and Ohio State for free, I’d go to Stanford. </p>
<p>Here is my thinking (rightly or wrongly): 1) Most Stanford grads are unlikely to have the personality to just “take a year off and travel.” They are usually very ambitious and driven and anxious to start their careers. 2) It is reasonably likely that a Stanford degree will garner you $13,800 more in after-tax income than Ohio State. That would be your annual loan repayment. 3) Waiting 10 years to buy a home doesn’t seem like a big deal to me. My H and I didn’t buy a home until we were 29, and that was early for our peer group. 4) You will regret not going there. That regret could last a lifetime.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision.</p>