Kelley ($$$) vs. Goizueta ($$)

Same advice ...

If you want to live in the SE USA, Emory. Otherwise Kelley.

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What other than cost contributes to that?

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I don't think Kelley is a stronger program than Emory and Emory will certainly be better in consulting. Cost is nothing to overlook, but I personally rather be in Atlanta - bigger city, more networking opportunities. Emory has a better brand in my opinion.

Thank you for your reply.

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I can see doing either one. abhimahna, do you have any thoughts on consulting?

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Both schools have their own strengthens. Kelley is really good school for marketing while Emory is a better option for consulting (if you are a domestic student). As per current stats, 49% of the class at Emory is going to consulting this year. Good luck

Stats:

Indiana: 650,000 alumni (from the whole university)
Emory: 149,000 alumni (from the whole university) ... loads more networking opportunities with all those Indiana alumni (even if they don't have a degree in business, they make a living doing something!)

Nearly equal numbers of women and international students at both schools except for the number of international students (as a %) is 2x at Kelley.

Incoming intellectual diversity ... 58% of the incoming class at Emory was in either finance or consulting ... whereas only 32% of the incoming class at Kelley was in those two pre-MBA industries. Based on a variety of other factors, Emory appears to generate more 'specialists' and Kelley more 'generalists'.

MBB Consulting ... occasionally, both BCG and Bain will recruit at Emory, while only Bain will occasionally recruit at Kelley.

Based on surveys, and while the differences are very slight, the students at Kelley do seem to ENJOY their diversity more than the students at Emory. In fact, based on a variety of inputs, it appears to me that Kelley would easily be in the top five or six of a list of MBA programs for "lots of diversity and the diversity being embraced" (the others being, in no certain order, Michigan, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin and Penn State).

US News & WR gives top 12 rankings to the following programs at Kelley -- Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Information Systems. Emory has no programs ranked in the top 12.

Average salaries appear to be higher at Emory (although, without looking into the weeds, I can't remember if the data I've got on Kelley includes averages signing bonuses or is just median salaries) ... and ... both schools have 97% of their most recently reported class has jobs at 90 days post graduation.

Emory places 45% of its class in consulting. Kelley places 21%.
Emory places 12% of its class in technology. Kelley places 19%
Emory places 11% of its class in CPG / Retail / E-Commerce. Kelley places 16%.
Emory places 3% of its class in healthcare. Kelley places 12%.

All told, Emory has four industries into which it places at least 10% of the class. Kelley has six industries. To me, that means the educational environment is more diverse and allows more people to have more success in meeting up with an attractive Plan B -- and given the unknowns in this economy, that has value (to me).

Regarding geographic placements ...
Emory places 51% of its graduates in the southeast ... plus 19% in the northeast and 12% out west. Their low is 5% in the southwest.
Kelley places 47% of its graduates in the midwest ... plus 15% out west, 14% in the southwest and 11% in the north east. Their low is 2% in the mid-atlantic.
Neither one places many students internationally (3% for Emory and 4% for Kelley).

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Those are parts of my thoughts as to why, for you, Kelley would be a better choice at this time and in this economic environment ... UNLESS YOU WANTED TO LIVE IN THE SOUTHEAST USA.

Thank you so much for such an in depth assessment. I am currently in Florida, as is my family, so I do see value in the southeast. However I don't know how much Emory places here versus mainly Atlanta. I much prefer Atlanta or Florida over the Midwest but I am really torn by Kelley's marketing outcomes which exceed those of Emory.

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Do what I did.

Call the career services of the schools I'm interested in ... giving them my current resume ahead of time ... and ask them what they think my odds look like to do what I'm interested in doing ... then, try to figure out of they're telling me the truth / giving me good advice, or not. If you like the SE USA, Emory is a very good option.

No matter where you go, you'll have to hustle. The smartest, most business-oriented people in the world are also getting MBAs ... and some are super competitive and will want to kick your butt. So, you will have to hustle to get where you want to go ... whether you go to Kelley or Emory.

As I tell my kids, if you don't know, then ask people who have the answers, not some moron (like me) who doesn't. Call the career services at both schools, ask your questions, listen to the answers, and make a decision.

Let us know what they say.

Thank you for your inputs! Much appreciated.

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Congrats for both schools

Both schools are stronger in different branches. Kelley is known for marketing and Emory for consulting. It depends on which goal comes first for you. I would choose the school based on the balanced goals. The consulting recruiting firms in Kelley are mostly is 2nd tier, while in Emory you have MBB plus other 2nd tiers as there are main offices in Atlanta.

A lot depends on your goals and location preferences. For me, goals take priority over location preference, but that is just me. I can give you a sense about Goizueta.

If you are someone who wants to get into consulting, Goizueta might offer more/better opportunities or atleast get your foot into the door of the interview room. MBB recruits 1-2 candidates each every year. Big4/SKP/ATK/Accenture/ and other consulting firms have a good presence and pipeline. Some students have also been able to get into firms such as LEK which dont recruit on campus. As for marketing, there are a lot of firms offering leadership programs or structured marketing opportunities majorly in the Atlanta region. These include firms such as Coca-Cola, UPS, Georgia-Pacific, Kimberly-Clark among many others which have established pipelines from Goizueta. Apart from these firms, you can always hustle and branch out if you a solid preference.

I cant comment on opportunities at Kelley, but I'd like to believe that they are no less. I know that Big4 recruits from Kelley as well but the location gives Goizueta a boost as far as consulting is concerned.

You need to put a value on the benefits you might get from Goziueta, if any, and see if that value makes sense for you.

In a nutshell, if you arent too sensitive about consulting, I'd go for Kelley. All the best!

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

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Analyzing the cost and program focus, Kelley seems like the more favorable option for you in this scenario.

Programs:

Kelley: Strong marketing program
Goizueta: Stronger reputation in consulting

While Goizueta has a slight edge for consulting, Kelley offers a well-regarded marketing program which aligns well with your interest. Additionally, Kelley students still land consulting positions, so you wouldn't be completely shut out from those opportunities.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

Career Services: Investigate the career services departments at both schools and see which one offers stronger support in marketing and consulting.
Location: Kelley is in Bloomington, Indiana, while Goizueta is in Atlanta. Consider your preference for a college town environment versus a major city.
Fit: Try to visit both schools if possible, or attend virtual information sessions, to get a feel for the campus culture and overall fit for you.
Overall:

Considering the significant cost advantage and a strong marketing program, Kelley seems like a better choice for you. However, if consulting is your absolute priority and the location or program offerings at Goizueta are a major draw for you, then it might be worth the higher cost.

Remember, the decision is ultimately yours. Weigh the pros and cons carefully based on your priorities and preferences.