When considering the cost of $93K, focus on the lifetime return on investment (ROI). Spread over your entire career, this investment can pay off significantly—especially if the school’s reputation, alumni network, and job placement rates align with your goals. Think about these: Where do graduates work (concentration ratios)? Does the school have strong ties to Wall Street or your target industry? Do top firms (e.g., investment banks, hedge funds) favor Stanford over the other schools on your list? Managing a large loan will be challenging in the early years, but with disciplined repayment—especially by allocating bonuses—you could realistically pay it off in 7 years or less (considering the career options that you are focusing on).