<p>It’s good to have such choices, OP! These are great schools you’ve worked very hard to be in a position to attend. Lots of students look back on their h.s. careers and wish they had done what you did. </p>
<p>This is not an either/or situation. It is not education OR money. It’s not Duke OR Pitt. It is: when all the factors are taken into consideration, including among other criteria money and educational experience, which is the best fit for you and your family?</p>
<p>To suggest it is an either/or situation is a logical fallacy AND it is a scapegoating: I HAD to choose [lesser educational experience] because [name your rationale; in your case, money]. Own up to your responsibility to make the best decision you can based on what you know now. Choices aren’t free, Dude, but they are better than no-choices.</p>