MSW...Private vs State University

[kucing11]

I am in the process of applying to the MSW programs at Cal State LA and USC. I think I stand a fair chance at getting admission to both and if that ends up being the case, I would be torn about which to attend. I like both of their programs, but the obvious dilemma is in the tuition fees. Choosing Cal State would mean graduating with little to no debt and thinking about the debt I would incur at USC (assuming I get no scholarships/grants) literally makes my stomach turn.
For me money is money (or I wouldn't be in this field) and I am not into the prestige of going to a big name school, but USC is consistently in the top 10 for MSW programs. It seems that there are many more opportunities there such as intercultural immersion programs, research, and a wide range of electives, not to mention the "Trojan network." Is it worth the price tag?
I would appreciate any feedback!

[starkarcadia]

Kucing11,

Great questions!! I'm almost in the same position right now and would love some advice too. Any takers????

Thankyou.

[psychgirl05]

....

[Therapist4Chnge]

All things being equal.....public, because the cost can be significantly less.

[pingouin]

At 22 when picking MSW programs to apply to, I went with glamour and blew off my family's suggestion of the state school that would allow me to live at home. I accumulated a fair amount of loans and still have a little bit of them left. (Could have paid them off by now, but got a deferment while taking pre-med classes in the last few years and used my money toward that tuition.) Although I believe I got a great education, I'm not convinced I couldn't have gotten the same at other cheaper programs.

At 32, when trying to decide what med school to attend, the choice was easy. Good reputation at 65K/year including living expenses? Or good reputation at 45K/year including living expenses?

To me it's a no-brainer- as long as both are good programs, go with the bargain and don't accumulate more debt than you absolutely have to. Your mileage may vary.

Regarding MSW rankings, as with med school rankings they're generally based off of research funding brought in by the school, not by quality of clinical training. In my mind, then, they mean squat unless you're jonesing for a research career. The fact is that you do a large percentage of your learning in your practica. And the fact is that most practicum sites contract with multiple schools in their respective areas. Therefore, you're likely to have the same opportunities for field work whether you attend Glamorous Program A or Lowly State School B.

[Krisss17]

Actually that's a tough one. I'm trying to decide between a state school and NYU. I'm doing my BSW at my local state school, but when I go for my MSW I'll be able to go in as an advanced student. At the state school it would take two years even with advanced standing, the only difference is I would take 12 credits of electives versus foundation classes. At NYU it would take 1 year. Since I live an hour away from that state school, I'm looking at additional costs for traveling.

So I need to think of the lost opportunity costs. While it would probably cost the same to go to school 1 yr NYU = 2 yr State School, The second year I could already be working towards my licensure so I can get my LCSW faster.

I would suggest do a side by side...Look at the pros and cons and see which you will of the cons you would be able to compromise on and which you would not.

[brightsideup]

The prestige and networking alone might be worth shouldering that extra debt. However, in my mind, that alone is all your getting over the state school. If thats not important to you, go with the cost-effective solution.

I did my MSW in Texas. In one of my internships there was an MSW student from UT Austin, Baylor University, and a local community college that contracted MSWs through a lesser known university. Honestly, I really didn't notice a difference as far as preparation or intellectual ability. I think, if the program is accredited by the CSWE, the only difference in education will be in sequence.

In my opinion, a lot also depends on your professor. You can go to a great program and get a bad professor, a professor you don't click with, or a professor that doesn't necessarily teach in the way you want to learn. That in mind I would find some way to look up the professors. Look at what research the faculty does. If you find professors that match your interests they may be able to help you more. I would also ask current students what they thought of the the programand specifically certain professors. They are the primary delivery method of your education!

[Therapist4Chnge]

Originally Posted by brightsideup

The prestige and networking alone might be worth shouldering that extra debt. However, in my mind, that alone is all your getting over the state school. If thats not important to you, go with the cost-effective solution.

I think the networking can be accomplished through state-level associations, getting to know your faculty, and finding practicum/training placements that match up with your areas of interest. You can go to a great school, but if they don't teach in your area of interest.....it won't serve you as well.

There are certain disciplines where school ranking is very important (law, business, etc), though that has much more do to the Haves and Have Nots and Good 'ol Boy system which is still alive and well in those sectors.

[Ecomaster]

I also faced this dilemma myself in researching for my MSW. I ended up going to a cheaper state school vs a more expensive state school. Personal motivation and ability to utilize available resource will open doors for you no matter which school you go to as long as it is CSWE accredited. The CSWE accreditation is important. The rest is all personal circumstances. For myself leaving without a penny of debt is more important than perceived prestige and tons of student loans. It is also my experience that at least in Norcal where I am from, your overall portfolio of experience is far more important than where you simply went to school, not to say if there are equal candidates, that an agency wouldn't use additional criteria, but in the greater scheme of things, your experience weighs far more.

Good Luck.