Yet Another Duke ($) vs. Vandy ($$) Forum

[FriendCatcher]

All right, I know variations on this have been posted before, but I decided to try it again, considering the specifics of my situation don't seem well covered in the other threads and also due to Vanderbilt's new LST data http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/vanderbilt/. If it's too similar to other threads, my apologies.
Anyway, my specifics below, in a never-ending wall of text:

Vandy @ $120K
Duke @ $158K
GPA: 3.5
LSAT: 170

These numbers represent a sort of a worst-case estimate, as my SO will be employed and so everything really heavily depends on her situation. The information above is predicated on a situation where she isn't able to assist much at all. Best case, she makes the same or more as she does now (with cost-of-living adjustments), in which case I estimate that around $25k can be knocked off those numbers (i.e., it would put Vandy under 100K). The COA I've posted would be covered by loans (I already worked other sources of income into the original estimate). The scholarships from each school are 95k for Vandy and 67.5K for Duke, each for all three years.

My goal is to work in the Southeast, specifically NC (where I'm from and where I attended UG) or adjacent (that is, not Texas or Florida). I am definitely not interested in DC, NYC, etc. To be frank, I am not entirely certain 100% which path I will take (I am certainly not averse to BigLaw, although I'd prefer a clerkship straight out or smaller firm work), besides the geographical specifics of the situation.

The two schools are both so close in terms of getting me what I want, I just wonder whether it's worth the extra ~$40k to go to Duke, especially when the newest job reports are so similar (although I am confused as to how Vanderbilt improved its part-time and short-term numbers so drastically; will this perhaps end up being corrected and make V's numbers more like previous years?). I've always had the sense that Duke's weight isn't quite as heavy in its own backyard, since it sends so many people up North, but last year they had about 10% of their grads stay in NC, so I wonder if that view's valid. However, I get the sense that there's a lot more opportunities at OCIs and support in career development at Vandy for my goals than at Duke. On a final note, I'm not particularly excited with the idea of moving back to the Triangle already. Not only did I go to a certain other school near Duke for undergrad but I also have family there, so I've spent a fair chunk of my life in the area. However I've been living in a much larger city halfway across the country for the last five years and when I visit now it feels a little constricting in its size. I do however really like Nashville, which also seems a better location for my SO's career needs.

Anyway, any advice is helpful!

[transferror]

Yes, Duke is worth an extra 40k. The small percentage of Dookies staying in NC is a combo of self-selection and smaller markets. If your SO gets a job in Nashville and the debt for Vandy drops below 100k, it would be a fine choice.

[BigZuck]

Duke is definitely worth 40K more IMO. Also, at the debt levels you're talking about, you better start wanting big law. It's hard out there for splitters, unfortunately. I wouldn't pay 120K for Vandy if you want small firm work.

The personal stuff is for you to decide bro.

[FriendCatcher]

Duke is definitely worth 40K more IMO. Also, at the debt levels you're talking about, you better start wanting big law. It's hard out there for splitters, unfortunately. I wouldn't pay 120K for Vandy if you want small firm work.

The personal stuff is for you to decide bro.

Yeah, I should note that what I meant with the biglaw statement is more along the lines of "it isn't my first option at this point in time, but with the debt figures I'm considering, I understand I better be prepared to go for it hard."

Also, I included the personal stuff to give a better view of the softer aspects of my consideration, since, prima facie, Duke is the better choice in many regards.

Really appreciate the help; just thought I'd provide some clarification.

[arklaw13]

If your goal is to work in NC and you grew up there and went to undergrad there, I wouldn't pay $40k more for Duke. If you wanted NYC or DC, sure. But I really doubt you;d get $40k worth of an advantage in getting back to NC from Duke.

[PrideandGlory1776]

Duke is worth 40k more. Go to Duke.

[3L2014]

you want to end up in NC, and you are seriously considering Vandy? This is madness. MADNESS.

[twenty]

If you want NC, I'd even take Duke over CCN.