BYU with 16K vs GWU with 60K

Question

Hi Friends,

Like everyone else on this forum, I am also facing a dilemma. My options are not big but they are killing me with confusion. I have an admit from BYU with 8k per scholarship and an admit from GWU with 30k per year offer. The BYU program is already very affordable and with the scholarship it gets a little more inexpensive than GWu in terms of tuition. Also the living expenses in Provo are much within my reach as compared to DC. Tuition for me almost same with BYU being a little cheaper.

BYU is also a more reputed and higher ranked program than GWU, That said, GWU offers a great location and I really like the curriculum of the program (the CAP, Mentorship program and the career trek). Both Universities claim to have strong alum network. Should location play as an important factor while choosing an MBA program? I am planning to graduate from Finance track and I think that location is important in making connections specially for finance people.

I am so confused that I cannot make my mind at all. Any type of opinion, response or advice is very welcome and highly appreciated.

Regards,
Roli Shukla

Flyte · Answer

Without knowing your goals this could be hard; however, BYU punches above its weight and GWU's MBA program has been a trainwreck for years. Go to BYU.

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roli9020 · Answer

Thanks a lot for your view.. lemme tell you that you are not the first to say that.. As for my goals, I know I am not going to a top 20ish program so I'll have to put in a lot more efforts than otherwise in terms of networking and all.. I just want my efforts to be fertile and I was wondering if location could play some part in that.. I am from Finance and would like to stay in finance.. 
Appreciate your opinion..

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teleste · Answer

BYU has a solid MBA program. It's inexpensive, it's on one of the best maintained campuses in the world, and it's located in a great spot if you're a nature lover. That said, it is not the setting everyone wants for their MBA. BYU has a very unique culture. I would reach out to some current students there to get a better feel for it and decide if it is what you want. I would say this goes double for MBA candidates who are international students, and triple for those who are not LDS/Mormon. So if any of that applies to you, do your due diligence. If you like what they have to say, it seems like it could be a good option.

GWU will let you experience DC for a few years. That could be a lot of fun. However, your COL there will (likely) be in excess of 3x what you'll pay at BYU. The loans add up pretty quickly...

GWU will let you experience DC for a few years. That could be a lot of fun. However, your COL there will (likely) be in excess of 3x what you'll pay at BYU. The loans add up pretty quickly...

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I agree with the above this would come down to cultural and personal fit for me. Very different setting with probably pretty different student communities. Also, factor in where you would like to be post MBA these schools are on opposite sides of the country and are probably seen as more regional programs so keep this in mind

roli9020 · Answer

Thanks a lot.. I am an Indian female, so culture is quite compatible for me.. I am only concerned about opportunities at Provo..
Some ideas about that?

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teleste · Answer

BYU has pretty solid employment statistics. As Flyte mentioned, they seem to punch above their weight year in and year out. So it is certainly possible to go to school in Provo and land decent gig after graduation. As VeritasPrepDozie mentioned, the job placement is fairly regional: 65%+ of BYU's class stays in the West or Southwest https://marriottschool.byu.edu/recruite ... asheet.pdf 65%+ of GW's class stays in the Northeast or Mid Atlantic https://business.gwu.edu/wp-content/uplo ... s_2015.pdf So that is worth keeping in mind. If there are any particular firms you are interested in, see if those firms recruit on-campus at either school...this may also help you make a decision. FWIW, both programs are small. BYU has ~150 students per year, and GW has just under 100. Small programs generally do not have as robust on-campus recruiting as larger programs do. This is especially true for small MBA programs that are in small markets. It is just difficult for companies to make a trip to an out-of-the-way location to visit with so few students. So in either case, I think you should plan on taking advantage of national career fairs (like the NBMBAA career fair in New Orleans this Fall) as part of your recruiting. Good luck with the decision!

roli9020 · Answer

Thanks again.. I have spoken to a few current students at BYU and from what they say the school offers plenty of opportunities that make up for the location part.. BYU students make trips to both coasts and school also route students towards various career fairs.. Also keeping in view the support I received from this forum (thank you everyone), I am pretty sure BYU is a better pick..

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