Best value MBA

[Pats20]

I have been looking into MBAs and agreed it is subjective to what you are trying to get out of it.

Personally, the standing of the MBA program isn't as important to me as being a recognized name school.  I am looking for a checkmark, but I want good brand recognition and to stay under $25k.

So I have primarily been looking into R1 research universities.

BU program of $24k is likely what I will try to do mainly because I am in the northeast and the name carries an extra weight up here.  Although it is a lengthy program.

Illinois at Gies is a good name and R1 school at $24k but it is a very long program of 72 credits.  The masters at 11k for 30 credits I would consider but it seems much harder to get into and currently accepting applications for Fall 2023, so you won't be able to start this soon.

University of Maine is just under $20k from the main R1 school and a 30 credit program.

The other program that I have been considering is The University of Louisiana at Lafeyette, this program is 33 credits and costs only $12,800.  While not a well recognized MBA program the school itself is a R1 with good brand recognition and with accelerated 8-week courses can be done in 10 months.


There are other reasonable brand names that are not from the main R1 campus that you can get for under $15k: University of South Dakota, LSU Shrevport.
And a couple UMASS locations Lowell, Dartmouth, Boston for under $20k (big one Amherst is like $35k)

Great advice. I agree, sometimes the branding carries  more weight than what the degree is in itself. That may be the case with MBAs.  BU is 45 credits but claims the degree can be completed in 2 years at 15-20 hrs per week. Hau is a two year program if you don’t transfer in credits from what I’ve read on here. From A  Cost perspective They’re both priced great.  Financial ROI. = who knows. Maybe in time we will hear from some graduates of these programs and what it’s done for them.