I’m at the point where I need to choose where I’m going to college, and my options are between my dream school and a state school.

State school- I will graduate with 0 debt, the school is pretty respected and I like the idea of Greek life. I’ve never visited because I am not really interested in this school itself, but the idea of graduating debt free and not living with my parents after college sounds amazing. ~2 hour drive from home. I would also be able to start some classes this summer at a local community college for free and those credits would transfer to the state school.

Dream school- Tons of amazing international opportunities, very well respected school (not Ivy League tho), I love the atmosphere of the school and I have already made several friends at the admissions events. I know I would fit in here and love it! It’s walking distance from a cute town square and also near, but not in, a large city. I’m not sure this college would bring better business aspects than the state school, but I know it’s a very tight woven community and they make a huge effort to set you up with business opportunities working for/with alums. Additionally, class sizes are much smaller and throughout high school, I have found that I focus significantly better in smaller classes. The school itself is much smaller too, so less difficult to travel across campus. ~3 hour drive from home. Fewer of my course credits would transfer here and the summer credits wouldn’t transfer here. The main issue is that I would graduate ~30k in debt.

TL:DR- is attending my dream school worth the debt?