Columbia vs Fuqua ($$$$$)

If you don't have to borrow much for CBS, that makes the most sense. CBS is definitely higher on the prestige factor than Fuqua (Which i'll add, is no slouch), and if you're aiming for high-prestige jobs like MC or IB, then that makes most sense.

That said, if you feel more at home at Fuqua, you'll certainly have plenty of opportunities from there as well.

Congrats on 2 great admits!

Congratulations on an amazing job getting into 2 tough programs!
Your situation is enviable. By the way, You should add both Fuqua and Columbia to your profile by the way - that would be nice for our record keeping purposes

There are 2 elements involved with most decisions:
1. Tangible - hard dollars
2. Intangible - emotional attachment to a school

It looks like #2 is not present here and you will go to any school based on a hard financial decision (rarely true but still).

Here is a quick comparison by looking at the US News latest stats:

Rankings:
Columbia - #8
Fuqua - #11

Employment Rate:
Columbia - 77%
Fuqua - 87%

Salary at Graduation:
Columbia - 135K
Fuqua - 136K

IB /MC Stats:
Columbia:
Number reporting finance/accounting jobs 233
Finance/accounting low salary $15,000
Finance/accounting average salary $111,193
Finance/accounting high salary $240,000


Fuqua:
Number reporting finance/accounting jobs 71
Finance/accounting low salary $36,000
Finance/accounting average salary $103,176
Finance/accounting high salary $218,000



I feel it is close enough to where I would have taken a scholarship without much thought, esp if you don't care to live in NYC (which will be more expensive to live in than NC during school and after graduation), and if you are going to take a job in Finance in Miami, PHL, or Boston, I am not sure that it matters to be in NYC and rely on the program.

The only areas of weakness in my logic/reasoning (that I can see - others are welcome to poke holes at it, hence this forum), is that if there is a specific employer that recrutis at CBS but not at Fuqua, if you are easily into IB/MC while attending CBS, or if you want to stay in NYC post work. In those 3 case, I would vote for Columbia since being out of work or not finding a good job right away, can cost you $100K in the first two years - easily.

Area that strengthens my claim is that you will have 71 people to compete with for Fiance jobs at Fuqua vs. 230 at CBS, though with a lower average salary, but as mentioned above if you have to live in NYC for that salary, that's almost less....

To get your mind at ease about IB/MC job prospects after graduation (I don't have those stats), I would recommend picking up a guide about each school or researching placements into your specific area with the career centers. Admissions should be able to either get you the numbers or get you in touch with the right people.

congratulations and a tough decision.

I will agree to what bb has said above. He raises some very valid points (with facts). Also, do factor in a relative ease in recruitment at Fuqua because you can put down $$$$ on your resume.

good luck and let us know where you decide to matriculate.