<prompt> Human: Ive gotten into a rather bad disagreement with my family recently, as we have different stances on student loan debt. I have the opportunity to attend one of the best schools in the world for the field I want to go into, but it will cost around 100k more than attending a tiny Christian college my family is Presbyterian, but Im an atheist or the state school, neither of which even offer the major I want nor have any sort of reputation in the sciences. I want to become a neurosurgeon, and Ive done some rough calculations of how the debt will grow by the time Im done with medical school, and even though itll be substantial around 150k by the time Im done with medical school it seems manageable to me in the long run. My mother is furious with me and I mean tearing up and screaming about how shes raised an ungrateful bastard for even considering taking on any student loans theyve offered to pay for medical school since my undergraduate costs are almost entirely payed for with scholarships if I attend the less competitive schools. It seems to me that given the debts relatively small size compared to a surgeons salary, it will be worth it in the long run to attend the better school, but I admit that Im not old enough to have built up a lot of life experience or corresponding wisdom. Is student loan debt as bad as my family seems to think, or are they being irrational about the issue?  <response>: Student debt can be a very cumbersome thing to carry as you start in life. Just look around this sub to see tales of unmanageable debt loads due to schooling. They are also not able to be discharged in bankruptcy.There are a few factors to consider in this:- It is highly likely that Parent Plus loans will be needed to get you up to that 100k. So this would be debt that your parents would be legally responsible for. They will also probably have to cosign on loans that are in your name. So those student loans do not just affect you. If they are unwilling to cosign or take out Parent Plus, then what?- You are still in high school and you obviously have a very specific goal in mind. But many people change majors in college. 100k in student debt is not a number you want to reach for anything besides being a doctor.- Is there really only one state school and that one school does not have pre-med? Seems unlikely you wouldnt be able to get into med school from a states flagship school.- If you decide to go against them and are somehow able to take out loans yourself, then they may rescind their offer to pay for med school. So you total graduation debt will be much, much higher. Are you prepared for that?- Since you want such a specific specialty that means many additional years of residency. Student loans come due 6 months after graduation. With years and years of residency before you become a neurosurgeon and start making neurosurgeon money, you will be making medical resident level of money. Would you be able to make the student loan payments on that level of salary?- If you have most costs paid for at the 2 schools you dont really want to go to, then I am assuming you would eligible for scholarships at other schools as well. Is there a different university you could go to that does not require going 100k in debt, but that has more of what you are looking for? 