Master of Applied Economics Choices

Hi Everyone,

New here but I've been lurking for the past year and a half or so. I have a couple of options for graduate school and would like some input if anyone has any. Just a quick background on myself, I went to a non-target school in California and started out as an engineering major but switched to economics so I have a pretty bad cumulative gpa but good major gpa. I'll have 2 years of work experience in data analytics once I start grad school. I applied to a few Masters in applied economics and MSF programs and I've narrowed down my decision to UCLA's master of applied economics and UCSC's MS in applied economics and finance.

In the short term I would like to work in economic consulting but post MBA I would like to move to asset management (I've seen posts on here about people making the jump post MBA). I also plan on finishing all CFA exams before I start my MBA. I am looking for any input on which master's program to pick, here are some pro's and con's I have for both so far.

UCLA: Pro: Brand name, program is heavily mathematical/quantitative and has classes on portfolio management/theory, econ consulting firms recruit on campus Cons: Cost ($80k overall), new program, seems to be mainly international students, not a lot of placement data

UCSC: Pro: Cost (Under $40k overall after financial aid), both quantitative and finance material, more alumni from program, more established program Cons: Non target

Essentially I am worried about passing up on a school like UCLA because of its cost, as I already have some student debt from undergrad. I also don't want to necessarily pick UCLA just because of the name if the program is new and there isn't good placement.

Again thank you for any help or input.