Free state uni or pay 50% for ivy?

Graduate School
1

<p>I could really use everyone's opinions on this matter. </p>

<p>I'm a teacher and I plan on attending grad. school in the fall part time while teaching full time. </p>

<p>I was accepted to U.Penn, Rutgers, & The College of NJ. My employer will pay my tuition up to whatever the state school costs. In other words, the 2 state schools will be free.</p>

<p>So, would you pick a state school and attend for free or go to an ivy league school and have to pay ~25k total in tuition?</p>

<p>Here are some pros/cons I've thought of:
Rutgers: ~30min from home, free, not known for education program, not an ivy
TCNJ: ~1hr from home, free, well known for education program, not an ivy, most people have never even heard of this school
U.Penn: 68 miles from home, not free, ivy, looks better if I decide to teach overseas</p>

2

<p>If you’re just getting a master’s degree to bump your salary and improve your own skills (i.e., not going to be doing research or applying for academic jobs) there’s no reason to spend the extra money.</p>

3

<p>You’re right- I should have added some more details. </p>

<p>I am doing it to bump my salary but I would like to leave my options open to getting a phD and/or teaching in Hong Kong. I also don’t plan on working for my current employer for more than 3 more years.</p>

4

<p>For a masters–especially a masters in education–it doesn’t make sense to go into debt when you don’t have to, IMO. I think TCNJ is probably your best option out of three you listed.</p>