MBA or MA - Canadian Student

[smartdegree]

A degree from one of the bigger name state universities would be cool and all, but I was just thinking that a competency based degree, from one of these smaller online universities would probably be easier.  Wouldn't it? 

I know a masters is not going to be as easy as the whole ''testing out'' process for a bachelors, but I would assume some courses/programs have to be easier than others.
I have to admit, the thought of writing endless essays again makes me sick haha.  I would much rather have more tests/assignments than essays, if possible.  I know I probably don't have much choice in that matter.

Brand name isn't the biggest deciding factor for me, it's more just to check the box.  In my experience, as long as you have a degree from a western country, nobody really cares where it's from to a certain degree.  I know someone who has a Australian MBA, and I doubt anyone has really looked down on it. 

Has anyone on here done one of the online programs for one of those state universities? 
Just kind of wondering what the advantage would be for me to go to one of those, other than the name.  

I believe there are also many online based masters degrees from Canada as well.

As others have mentioned, there is no clear correlation that the more well known a program, the "harder" it is.  In some ways, better programs are easier because the professors are more organized and it's easier to understand the material.

The benefit of something like Illinois' masters in management or MBA through its partnership with Coursera is that you can try before you buy.  You can audit some of the actual courses / specializations for free before enrolling in the masters and then decide if it's for you.  That way, you already have a sense if it's easy or too hard for you.  

https://www.coursera.org/degrees/ms-mana.../academics