UNC Kenan-Flagler (45% $) vs Notre Dame Mendoza (85% $)

Hello,

I am thrilled about getting admission offers from a few programs of my choice. However, I am struggling to make a decision before the deposit deadlines.

It would be good to get the views of the experts before I take an important step to further my knowledge and career.

Background
- Male, international without US work authorization,
- Based in New Delhi, India. Working as Non-Technical Product Manager in a Cloud Security company
- Post-MBA goal: I have no technical know-how. Want to learn analytics, business courses and apply that in Product Management role at Tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon. Plan B is to specifically work in analytics role such as Marketing Analyst and work my way up to become a Product Manager

UNC Kenan-Flagler (45% fellowship)
Pros
- STEM concentration in Business Analytics and Management Science
- Consistently ranked in the top 20
- STAR program
- Collaborative community (although this might be the case with all the B-schools)
- Access to Research Triangle and Tech employers that visit the campus
- Weather

Cons
- 2019 employment report for the international is concerning. Only 80% of the students without work authorization got the jobs (3 months post-graduation)
- Business Analytics concentration is new, there is no opportunity to get feedback on the concentration
- Cost of attendance is almost double

Notre Dame Mendoza (85% fellowship)
Pros
- Notre Dame brand
- Stronger alumni base if I consider students from other programs as well (Although, I am not sure how helpful will the alumni from other programs be in terms of networking, especially for internationals)
- Dual Degree (MBA/ MS in Business Analytics) - STEM
- A strong liking for the course structure - more emphasis on analytics, and the dual degree program is almost 4 years old now
- Lower tuition fees, cost of living, and higher fellowship - Cost of attendance is almost half

Cons
- Companies do not visit the campus for recruitment. One would need to individually apply to the companies and hope for the best
- Travel to Chicago for networking
- Lower ranked program
- Location, harsh weather

I am personally inclined towards UNC, but I cannot ignore that Mendoza has a better course in analytics and will cost me only half.

bb, woody93, ankurgupta03, stonecold