Hi Ross
You just spoke my mind out there. I made the same list while looking for my masters. The Businessweek’s top 30 design programs contributed majorly. Have you made a final decision for it? I’ve got admission in Domus Academy, the MBD course. But I’m still in my dilemma for the course too. The description for the course,however, is like destiny calling.
I’m not a forum person, but just for your thread, I felt like signing up, so thanks for starting this convo with the aim to brainstorm our way to the right career path, cheers 
me at prateekbatra dot com