<p>I don’t see any issue here of forgoing academic prestige for cost. First, there isn’t much difference in the prestige of these schools. Second, even if there were, what tangible difference is it likely to make? What objective evidence do you have that, after controlling for GPA and other qualifications, any of these schools has a significant advantage over the others in graduate admissions or hiring? </p>
<p>Third, if your family’s total income is only $15K/year, how are you going to borrow more than the federal student loan limits (<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized)?%5B/url%5D”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized)?</a> Who will co-sign for your loans?</p>