Bxdty

I'm a college senior, and I'm applying to full-time jobs for the upcoming year. I just got an offer for approximately $70k for a data analyst position. I attempted to negotiate salary (after my recruiter told me it was negotiable and told me about the procedure), and according to a friend who works there, the head of the department really wants to hire me and was pushing for the salary increase after reading my letter of justification. However, this apparently really pissed of HR, so HR stonewalled her.

Their HR just called me today and let me know that they are no longer willing to negotiate salary, and they are only giving me 4 days (till the end of the week) to accept the position. I explained to them that I'm still in the interview process for other companies which will take longer than 4 days, but they don't seem to want to budge (they basically told me they'll call back on Friday to see if I made a decision, and if not, they'll maaaaybe reevaluate my extension request, but most likely not).

While $70k for a first job is nothing to balk at (and I'm very grateful to have the option), I already have some qualms about the job. It doesn't seem to be particularly challenging / intense (most of the people aren't CS majors or know much code), and this whole HR mess is really making me question whether I want to work for a company that's going to put me on the butt-end of interdepartmental drama before I'm even hired.

I have an offer in a different city where I would work as an actual engineer (albeit most likely for a slightly lower salary) doing super cool experimental tech projects all day, but the only issue with that is I'd prefer to stay in my current city where all my friends / SO will be next year.

I'm also in the 2nd round of interviews for a software engineering position at a very well-known company here that will pay significantly more than either of the positions, so I'm not sure if I should give up that chance at a very high-paying job for an assured $70k at a job I don't think I would like as much.

I know these are amazing options to have, so I don't want it to seem like I'm complaining or unappreciative, but this is a pivotal decision for me coming out of college, so I'm really worried about making the right decision.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. According to my friend there, they were willing to negotiate with him (and gave him a significantly higher offer after negotiations) when he started there last year, so he's not sure why they're being so difficult this year.

Also, I posted about this on Reddit, and a lot of people suggested I accept the job and then renege if I find something better. This does make sense, but is it really the best option here? I don't want to be a dick to the boss who was fighting for me because realistically it's them who will suffer, not HR, but I do understand that HR is a representation of the company, and I shouldn't feel bad about doing what's best for me financially.