Kelley ($) or Broad ($$$)? - Is Kelley THAT much better?

Question

I was admitted into both Kelley (IU) and Broad (MSU). Obviously Kelley is the better school, but is it THAT much better? I'm looking for Supply Chain, consumer products, tech industry.

Broad offered a total of $45,000 in fellowship/assistantship, in state tuition, health insurance, fees, parking, etc. After financial assistance this comes to around $10,000 in student loans.

Kelley offered a total of $16,500 for an assistantship, but out of state tuition. After financial assistance this comes to around $66,500 in student loans.

Which program should I attend? New to this forum and site, thank you for your help!

CobraKai · Answer

Check out the latest employment reports:

Kelley  https://kelley.iu.edu/GCS/EmploymentStats/MBAFullTime/page20163.html 
Broad  https://mbacareers.broad.msu.edu/employmentstatistics/full-time-mba-2012-2013/

Kelley's Median Salary is $102K compared to Broad's $90K. That's significant. Broad's class size is 75 vs. Kelley a little over 200. There's a pretty big gap in reputation along with the alumni network you'll get, especially since both schools place mainly in the midwest.

Have you explored what it takes to establish in-state residency in Indiana? That could really reduce the overall cost of your MBA.

Congrats on the admits!

joshdyk87 · Answer

Unfortunately I'd have to have lived there 12 months for in state qualification. The difference of $60,000 is a bit daunting, especially because supply chain management is most likely not the 102k job, like the consulting and financial side of the MBAs. Or am I wrong on that?

The other influence is MSU is an hour away from where my wife and I currently live. She wouldn't necessarily have to find another job, and I could possibly commute. Everything about MSU is more convenient, but that's not a long term motivator.

CobraKai · Answer

No, you're right. The Ops median at Kelley is $97.5K Also wasn't aware of your wife's employment situation, so having an income while you're at school is a factor as well. Not only that, but going to Broad could mean moving once - after graduation - as opposed to twice at Kelley.

After factoring in the personal situation, I can see why Broad makes more sense than Kelley. Plus, they've got a better football team.

joshdyk87 · Answer

She is a nurse, so she could certainly get a job anywhere. Bloomington, and Indianapolis, offer many opportunities. There probably wouldn't need to be any gap in employment for her, just another aspect of the convenience draw that we have with MSU.

I believe the gap in salary is less than $10,000 in this industry, though IU certainly offers more growth in my future career (I'm 26, and could consider a change at some point down the road). However, the consideration would be connection to Chicago, that is the ideal location for us post graduation. I believe both Universities are well connected, so that could be a draw.

Problem too is, IU has a better basketball team :-D

CobraKai · Answer

Not this year

https://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings GL on your decision - good problem to have!

Kelley ($) or Broad ($$$)? - Is Kelley THAT much better?

Kelley or Broad?

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