I'm currently at Tufts and have gone to a few of the MPH rounds they hold here - the MPH program at the school is especially good, with emphasis on community health. The program has workshops with MBA students as well (since a lot of the topics overlap) and I know the new director was the CEO of Tufts Health Plan (the HMO if you're not from the area). And no, if you max out on loans, you will probably come out with $350,000 in debt, not $500,000 - which is still a lot if you add in undergrad loans and such. But how much more is BU? BU definitely has a better trauma center, probably 'cause it's next to Dorchestor and all crime-ridden south part of the city. Both schools have great research as well and opportunities (including funding) to do it. Don't worry about cash either. If we wanted money, we'd be i-bankers and venture capitalists rather than future doctors. Good luck!