So to get back to the OP's question...
I was accepted into some better ranked schools and waitlisted for Vanderbilt. I seriously examined all my opportunities and decided even if Vanderbilt calls, I won't go (though I'm sure I'd be declining through gritted teeth, LOL). As much as I loved the facility and program there, coming out of graduate school $100k in debt means a decade+ of paying off student loans when I had found another program which met all my desires for graduate school yet would cost me much less.
The reality is all of these programs are accredited which means they all offer at least the minimum necessary training to be an Audiologist. Some have better funding, others better research and others better facilities or connections. You have to look at the individual program (throw away the rankings - they mean little in the grand scheme of things) and decide which best suits your interests.
I chose Wayne State and it's ranked waaaayyy down there, though I suspect that is going to change in the near future. Their program is unique. Two years ago they contracted out the clinical aspects of the program to the Henry Ford Hospital Audiology department which means I'm going to be taught by actually practicing audiologists (unlike many programs stocked with professors who only teach because they want to continue their research). I had the opportunity to speak with two different AuD's from the program and I loved the young, fresh approach to the program. It's still evolving and they are actively examining ways to improve it. They have structured the program to provide clinical rotations through the campus clinic (year 1) to Henry Ford (year 2) and three sites in year 3 including the Children's Hospital and a mandatory private practice rotation. To me, this is a clinical degree and I want as much real clinical experience as possible. There are fascinating research opportunities at the school as well so my Capstone should be a great learning experience, but I'm not interested in doing research for the long haul. I want to be a clinician. By the end of the four years I will have 3000+ clinical hours in a variety of settings. By the time I'm done I will have had the exposure to know which direction I want to go in my career. If that wasn't enough to cinch my decision, the funding opportunities certainly were. It's entirely possible to attend graduate school there for next to nothing due to the plentiful graduate scholarship opportunities.
So ask what makes the pricey program "much better"? Is it because the program better meets your future expectations; has research in your area of interest? Or is it just because the program is ranked higher? Granted the connections from a higher ranked school could get you into a more choice fourth year setting, but sometimes the seemingly worst environments offer some of the best learning opportunities. Just be sure not to make your decision based on the ego of saying you attended this school or that school. Really examine the program options you have and select the one that best suits all aspects of your situation. Cost of moving, cost of living in that city, availability of family (living near family can be a huge financial aid - free dinners at Grandma's add up), areas of interest, funding opportunities, research opportunities, clinical exposures... etc.
My feedback is choose based upon the realities of the program and how well they suit your end goals. Going 100k in debt is a huge burden that you will carry for a long time after school. Be certain that extra cost is going to benefit you in some manner. 70k/yr sounds like great money when you're an impoverished student, but once you buy a home which always seems to need something repaired, have to buy a new car because your grad school car finally up and died, have your first or second child and are now planning for his/her college fund... that $800/mo student loan payment will take a big bite out of your budget.
This whole process has been so exciting and emotionally twisting! Good luck in your decision and congrats on starting grad school!!
~ AuDitty
You're absolutely right though. I keep rethinking what they said about paying for the connections you make, not just the education. They just offered so many different opportunities for research that it would be difficult for my other contender to match! The research is just so stinkin' cool!!! I'm totally hooked.
