College with my girlfriend?

Hi im a junior in high school and my girlfriend is a senior. She is going to fordham next year in new york for school, and i really want to go with her. WE have benn dating for over a year and are extremely close. WE talk all the time about a long future and i gave her a promise for engagement ring last week. However, my dad says fordham is not good enough to be worth the money. I dont want to go to school in new jersey (where i live) but we still really want to be close or together. How can i convince my dad that fordham is a good choice for me, or are there any schools within an hour or two or Fordham of equal or higher 'goodness'? thanks for the help