Top Law Schools

So I am interested in the opinion of TLSers out there. Basically, given these two options are either one of them reasonable? Neither? My preference?

Here are the COA numbers for both schools after factoring in scholarships and what my s/o can kick in. I will be paying for the rest through loans:

Duke: 118k
Vandy: 79k

Things I would like to do in order of my preference: DOJ (dream)> PI (something I find interesting)> Big Law (not in NYC or Cali)>move back home, open my own firm, live in my parents basement, eat cheetos and watch reruns of the west wing.

Lsat and gpa: 171 3.6x

I'd go with "My Preference".

40k is right on the border of what I would say schools like Duke are worth over schools like Vandy. So tough call.

Since BL (Non-NYC/Cali at that) is only goal #3, I would consider Vandy pretty hard. Tbh I would end up choosing Duke though.

Good luck with your difficult decision.

Edited to change my mind lol

But neither of them are egregious decisions (in the mind of tls)? I just know there is a lot of doubt on here about the amount of debt one should undertake.

So if not California/NYC biglaw, what market would you like to be in?