<p>This question is unanswerable. There are WAY too many variables, like, what two schools are we comparing here? Obviously community college compared to Stanford is going to be leagues apart, but community college compared to the state flagship is leagues apart, too. Also what major or course of study are we talking about? Not only are different schools stronger in different things, but overall “smartness” of the student body is less/more important. For example is discussion important to your major? I.e. are you english/history? That might make a slight impact, if the quality of students is better, since class revolves a lot around discussing topics/learning from peers. But then, are you really going to pay 50K for an English degree, when most of that is reading and learning on your own? Hah! And what about size? If you want a small school, is the quality of life going to be better at Cornell or Columbia or at a small but lower-ranked LAC? </p>
<p>Now, let’s compare well-ranked engineering program at a state flagship and engineering program at Stanford. Is there going to be a huge difference? Quite frankly, I doubt it! The classes use the same textbooks, the profs are doing similar research, etc. A 3.7 at flagship vs. 3.7 at Stanford? Again, probably both will yield you impressive jobs. </p>
<p>Are the dorms nicer at Stanford? Probably.</p>
<p>Is the campus nicer? Probably.</p>
<p>Weather? Probably.</p>
<p>Are these things important to you? Not sure.</p>
<p>Are they worth a huge amount of extra money? Probs not. </p>
<p>Did Stanford or a top 20 give you better FA? Then maybe it is worth it!</p>
<p>See how impossible this is? Need a more specific scenario, really. But GENERALLY people over emphasize ranking and the fact is, if you take advantage of a state/public school, the education is usually just as good, as are the jobs afterwards.</p>