The difference between the two is very slight. It would make no difference to anyone who would be interviewing you. They would put both schools in the same camp. For every person who would say MSM, there is probably a person that would say CSF.

What you should consider when looking at two schools of similar reputation is the ancillary items related to the college or university.

I wrestled with the same question back when I was choosing a college. My heart wanted the one that some, not all, would have considered to be slightly less impressive. My head said to pick the very best. Truth be know, there wasn’t really enough of a difference between the two to have used academics alone as a deciding factor. In hind sight, I know, for sure, that I made the wrong choice. I chose based on perceived reputation.

The truth is once you have been out of school and working for a couple of years, you will not be judged by education as much as past experience.

All students think that schools make a huge difference, and they do. If you are talking about a degree from Stanford versus a degree from Cal State Bakersfield, then yes there is a big difference. But you aren’t talking about two schools that are so far apart in reputation.

The reputation that will matter most will be related to your job performance. Were you on time, did you make wise decisions, can you be counted on, were you a trouble maker, were you supportive?

Yes, a good school will help you with your first job, but even then, as a nurse you probably would be required to be an intern for a time. It is at this time that you will really be able to shine, or just try to skate by.

Those are my thoughts. Hope it helps.

One last thing, I have to believe there are more than just those two schools. Perhaps looking into to others would be a good idea.

Mike