I interviewed at Midwestern and fell in love with the school. I think in a few years it will truly be one of the elite programs. (Not that it isn't an elite program right now, it will just be more established and reputable) However, I hate bringing up the money issue but I personally couldn't bring myself to shell out the money to attend MWU when OSU is an option. I wasn't accepted to MWU, but when I sent in my deposit to OSU it was like writing myself a $100 K check! How could you turn down in-state tuition for a guaranteed 3 years with the possibility of 4 years if your spouse works in-state? I know that the OP isn't married so the 4 year isn't an option, but the cost of attendance is significantly cheaper at OSU. When I talked to some of the students at MWU they mentioned that they would be graduating with close to $400 k in debt! As much as I love MWU, I love money in my pocket more. You'll be patting yourself on the back every day for the next 30 years.
Arizona truly is a great place to live with the housing market, you can find some very affordable condos and houses. However, Columbus isn't too shabby either. You'll be able to find some very affordable housing options whether you buy or rent.
It's a tough decision if you're just comparing the schools across the board without considering money. MWU is very tempting with all of its bells and whistles (digital everything, new facilities), it makes Ohio look like it was built in the dark ages. However, OSU has been producing strong dentists for years, making me believe that facilities don't play that large of a role in the quality of education one receives. Both schools seem to have terrific faculty, and the students seemed happy. At the end of the day, I've come to terms that the education you receive is entirely dependent upon what you put into it, so you might as well save some money in the process! Good luck in your decision OP.
