I got my BFA from Rutgers, which was about 45 minutes on NJ transit, into Penn Station, so it's close enough you could go into New York all the time. The program was nice. There's an MFA program too, and you take classes with MFA's, but it doesn't hurt your assignments any because they keep the program small, 2-3 stage managers or so per year for BFA's and same for MFA's. It's got great people there. It's hard maintaining shows plus the GPA you need to stay in the program (in gen ed plus theatre classes), but good financial aid too. My final year alone I stage managed in one of the large spaces, production managed the blackbox space, did my internship out of state, PA'd a Bway stage manager for a fundraiser for the school on the stage of the Majestic while Phantom was dark, and stage managed the MFA actor's showcases in New York and Los Angeles. It's a hard program, a lot of demands, but I'm thankful for it, just embrace the experience. You get some really cool teachers that work in the field, not just in stage management but in all subjects. I'd recommend it, and it's close to New York.