Rejecting Dream School For Cheaper School

I was lucky enough to get accepted into 2 programs this year, but I’m having to reject my dream school for a cheaper one.

I had been applying to School A, an in state school, for 3 years now and finally got offered a position. During this year, however, I finally started applying to out of state schools and really fell in love with School B, which is out of state.

School B had great staff, nice students, and awesome facilities. It felt like they actually got to know me during the interview, and I was excited at the idea of going somewhere new. This place felt weirdly ‘right’ to me, and I was super excited to maybe get in.

I had interviewed with School A 2 months prior and only heard radio silence. Then the day I was supposed to hear back from School B, I got an email from School A telling me I was accepted. After two years of being rejected I had already given up on that program and was only focusing on School B who accepted me the following day.

I’m now torn because I really wanted to go to School B, but School A is significantly cheaper since it’s in state. It’s 40k versus 85k, and although I loved School B that is too large a difference to ignore.

I tried calling School B to ask about financial aid, but I was told most of the payment for tuition is done by loans. There are a few scholarships, but they tend to go to in state students.

I really want to go to School B, but I’d take on an extra 45k not even including housing. Everyone tells me School A is a great school, but I didn’t feel like I fit in. But it’s a reputable school that’s only 40k, and that has trumped pretty much anything else.

I should be happy to finally get in, but I can’t shake the depression over having to reject School B. I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t help it. It’s been a few weeks since I got in and today’s the deadline to tell them my decision. I was told I could ask for extra time to make my decision, but unless 45k magically appears out of thin air, I have to pick what’s right for me financially. It just kinda sucks.