The name of the school is less important then the 'name' you make for yourself in school. Location is also important for your career, but the name schools tend to have a global audience and focus.

Beyond ccny (which has some very cool folks), take a look at the public programs. you may find a few that match your interests and budget.

Questions to explore before starting on your MLA applications:

-Are you more interested in 'design' or ecology?
-Are you more interested in plants or cities?
-Are there any 'name' LAs that fascinate you (and are teaching)?
-Are you more interested in theory or history?
-Is there a region of the country that you anticipate moving to?
-Do you golf or want to create playgrounds?
-Do you want to work on large or small projects?
-Is mine restoration (or brownfield cleanup) interesting?
-Green roofs or urban agriculture?
-GIS or botanical gardens?
-Landscape urbanism or new urbanism?
-Land art or stormwater management?
-Do you want to teach?

Each school has differing levels of emphasis on these topics and where you go will open doors for possible specialization on your part. Don't just choose schools for getting that first job (which is important), but select a school that will enrich your entire career...

Also look north to the Canadian schools UT & UBC have great programs.

Harvard has a larger endowment than other schools (UPenn and RISD), so it is more likely you will get grant $$$ in your financial aid package. If you are applying to other private or out-of-state schools, then the cost may end up being pretty close. Large state schools won't give you any grants. Also, consider the length of the program and if there is a required summer session.

Just how important is a school's name factor?

What GSD, Penn, etc. offer is not as much the name but the connections. To both other students and existing academics/practitioners. I don't find anyone overly impressed by the GSD tag in interviews etc. but the large number of varied and excellent people that either teach there, offer a lecture there or are somehow or another tangentially connected is amazing. Ive had a summer of very different but excellent experiences which wouldn't have happened if it weren't for connections made in Gund Hall. I mostly agree with Barry about making 'your name' rather than relying on the school's name. But the power of context / connections is not to be underestimated.

If I get into GSD or UPenn should I just accept the debt as a necessary sacrifice?

Unfortunately, yes. I did receive some grant money from GSD (Penn offered an insulting $3,000 per year), but im still borrowing a vast sum of money. From a strictly economic cost/benefit, it may not be worth it. Its going to take me a long long time to pay this off. But I have no regrets and from a whole life cost/benefit, Im happy.

Totally agree with the connections factor and making a name for yourself. Tons of people have passed through Gund Hall, so while you are there, get to know as many practitioners as possible.

If it helps, I think the Guide to Gund says that the average GSD student accrues around 65k in debt.

It's hard to talk about the financial factor unless you get in and get your financial aid check. I applied to GSD, Penn, and U Washington and got into all, but GSD turned out to be the cheapest (almost all tuition covered), while Washington, a state school, turned out to be the most expensive since I was out-of-state.

As far as name factor goes, true, no one will be overly impressed by GSD but neither will they be overly impressed by say Colorado State. What will impress someone is quality work. Look at the studio work done by different schools. What do they publish on their website? Some schools proudly post student work that would make one throw up. Every school has some lemons, but what schools have some bright stars? (students and faculty).

Also, don't underestimate the importance of connections. If your work is stellar and with persistance, you might get somewhere with your standout portfolio, but the top firms recieve so many good portfolios from so many different applicants, the decision on who to interview, especially in a tight economy, usually comes down to recommendations. All of my jobs have come through recommendations, not through cold calls.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful and detailed responses. It's given me a lot (more) to think about ... but that's a good thing.