Kellogg (PT) vs Fuqua (FT w/ $$)?

Hey Everyone,

I was fortunate to be admitted into Kellogg’s Evening & Weekend program and Fuqua’s full-time program. Having a difficult time deciding between the two so interested in hearing your feedback on which program you would recommend attending. Listed below is a bit of background on myself, b-school priorities, pros/cons list, and finances. Both are excellent schools and I’ve tried to be fair in my assessment of each one.

While I don’t doubt the power of the Duke name, I am leaning towards Kellogg simply because deep down I would regret not going to a higher ranked/better brand school such as Kellogg. Realize this comes down to where I believe I can best achieve what it is I’m looking to get out of business school and that no one can make this decision for me but would like to hear your thoughts to make sure I am looking at this from the right angles and not missing anything. Appreciate your vote and any other comments that might come to mind!

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Background Info

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Current Job: Project Manager at Rolls-Royce Aerospace.

Post-MBA Goals: Pivot to MBB technology strategy consulting for five years and then transition into corporate strategy at tech company developing either autonomous vehicles, drone delivery, or air taxis (think Amazon, Uber, Boeing, Tesla, etc.).

Financial:
Duke: Negotiated a 60% scholarship package. Cost = 2 years @ $94k/yr (living expenses included)
Kellogg: $21k tuition support from employer that I will need to pay back since I plan to leave company upon graduation. Cost = 3 yrs @ $84/yr (living + travel expenses included)

Notes:
-No issues with relocating to Durham and building a new social circle but I do currently have a strong community in Indianapolis
-Kellogg classes are on Saturdays and there's a high likelihood I will have the flexibility to spend some of Friday doing school work by working remotely from Chicago
-Pros/Cons analysis below is listed in order of highest to lower priority

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Pros/Cons Analysis

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Ranking & Brand
Kellogg Pros: US News #6 (tie) in 2020. Historically bounces between #4 & #6. Certainly could be wrong but my observations are that there is a perceptions that Kellogg is a in a league above Fuqua.
Kellogg Cons: -

Duke Pros: Great national and global recognition but Kellogg historically outperforms it in rankings.
Duke Cons: Main goal was to get into the best b-school I can. 5 yrs from now I would regret passing up on opportunity to go to a higher ranked school

Pivot Probability (i.e. probability I will successfully pivot from engineering to MBB strategy consulting)
Kellogg Pros: PT students utilize all FT student recruiting resources/network and participate in OCR with FT students. 2016 study conducted by Admissions suggested 54% of PT students successfully pivoted industry and/or function upon graduation.
Kellogg Cons: Only one opportunity to participate in OCR the semester I graduate

Duke Pros: 35% placement into Consulting for 2018
Duke Cons: -

Level of Debt
Kellogg Pros: Estimated $240k LESS in financial losses upon graduation (based upon Fuqua scholarship, tuition, living expenses, foregone salary, and signing bonus. Can post calcs if requested)
Kellogg Cons: $21k of employer tuition assistance to be paid back upon graduating since I plan to break contract early and leave company (i.e. 'claw back' clause)

Duke Pros: -
Duke Cons: Estimated $240k MORE in financial losses upon graduation (based upon Fuqua scholarship, tuition, living expenses, foregone salary, and signing bonus. Can post calcs if requested)

Extracurricular
Kellogg Pros: Plenty of PT clubs that align with my career interests (e.g. Consulting, Strategy, High Tech)
Kellogg Cons: Most students are working and will simply not be as involved as FT students are. PT campus is 1 hr away from activities on FT campus. Cannot be as involved with clubs as a working PT student

Duke Pros: Plenty of time to get involved with tech, consulting, strategy, volunteering clubs
Duke Cons: -

Cultural Fit
Kellogg Pros: Everyone I interacted with was incredibly helpful. Culture of mutual success.
Kellogg Cons: -

Duke Pros: Resonated slightly more with the positive energy, family vibes, and campus overall atmosphere at Fuqua. Felt a stronger sense of community between Fuqua FT students over Kellogg PT students after visiting both schools.
Duke Cons: -

Social Life
Kellogg Pros: Allowed to work remotely from Chicago on Friday's which will allow me to get more school work done and free up some time for social activities
Kellogg Cons: 3 hr Indianapolis to Chicago commute adds layer of intensity especially during the winter. Estimating 85% of my weekends will be dedicated towards school rather than social activities

Duke Pros: Lots of involvement from trips, section classmates socials, apartment pool parties, dinners, etc.
Duke Cons: Full-time experience at Duke sounded incredible but I've already done a ton of traveling and partying as an undergrad/working professional. Spent half of my life living abroad between South America, Asia, and Europe.

Grow Network:
Kellogg Pros: Alumni network responsive and incredibly helpful as I've contacted various individuals for guidance on navigating my decision process. Positive reflection of not only student culture but also active alumni base
Kellogg Cons: Less opportunities to network both inside and outside of the classroom due to time constraints and mentality of PT program.

Duke Pros: More opportunities to network both inside and outside of the classroom
Duke Cons: Missing out on globally renowned Kellogg alumni network.

Note: Created a decision matrix in excel with composite scores based on personally assigned grading criteria weights/scores and both schools came into at a dead tie! Unable to post the image here but happy to share this analysis with anyone that may be interested.