Best option for daughter

thumper1- which school are you referring to as the major flagship research university- UVM?

ucbalumnus- I can afford $6,000 a year. Her dad will pay $10-$12K. To go to UVM, she might have to get a private loan for 3-5,000 on top of the Stafford.

My real question is- which of the schools she is down to is the better school, for the money, and just better overall?

Thanks!

BTW- I lived in Burlington for 2 years post-grad, so completely get the charm that is both the school and the city itself.