Tepper($) vs Kelley($$$) vs Kenan-Flagler($$)

Question

Good problem to have but a problem nonetheless.

POST MBA GOAL: Marketing/ Brand Management(Advertising/Sales if possible). I understand as an INTERNATIONAL Tech is basically my only choice.
Also 99%sure I'm not going into consulting, so don't have a Plan B yet. Also no preference in location.

School Net COA:
Tepper $130k = $190k - $60K(~40% Schol negotiated from 50k)
Kelley $73k = $153k - $80k(~75)
Kenan-Flagler $124k = $190k - $66k (50)

Going to reject KF here, no STEM yet; even if it is going to get it, it will be some specific concentration; also relatively less international friendly.

Tepper
+ Great for Tech
+ Better Location
+ Slightly higher job offer %
- Expensive
- Although small cohort size, larger than Kelley. I would prefer a smaller class if I have an option

Kelley
+ Great Marketing School
+ Much Cheaper. Could graduate with little to no debt
+ Very responsive Admin, Alumni, and Current Students
- Middle of nowhere
- Slightly lower rankings (23 vs 19 for Tepper)

Both are stem for all majors.
I understand that Tepper is a better school and brand, but is it worth having extra $60k debt. Any thoughts?

bb · Answer

Congrats on your admits and scholarships blowice27!

I would not hesitate to attend Kelley... Tepper is in Pittsburgh and closer to the airport and while I like that city most people end up leaving for work so it is not as big of a deal. Being in the middle of nowhere provides a more diverse alum base since everyone has to leave and go somewhere.

I would save the $60K and not have much of a question about the differences in rankings. Even MIT folks are facing headwinds in recruiting for internships and that's quite a difference in rank vs. the Kelley/Tepper - see this topic https://gmatclub.com/forum/recruiting-t ... 45232.html so I would not blink much at $60K and would take the offer....

Congrats!!!

FinanceMan · Answer

I am on the differing side of bb (no disrespect of course 😃). Kelley is a good school, do not get me wrong, but I believe Tepper is a much better program. I believe the analytical approach to business-education that Tepper takes is far and away more beneficial for the student versus the curriculum that Kelley offers. You only get to do an MBA once so I would spend the extra $60K and get a brand like Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business on my resume. If Kelley was your only option, then it would be a no brainer...but you have a better option with Tepper in my opinion.

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jinggujijakurai · Answer

I did my undergrad in Kelley bro, if I'm you I won't go to Kelley.

bb · Answer

Thanks so much for chiming in!

Really appreciate it. Any additional color you could add perhaps as to Why's?

FinanceMan · Answer

I am curious as well!

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bb · Answer

I have compared the raw employment reports from pre-pandemic and they looked solid for both schools

Tepper:  
Class of 2019

Full-time graduates: 231
Full-time graduates known to be seeking employment: 205
Full-time graduates employed at graduation: 78%
Full-time graduates employed three months after graduation: 91.2%
Average base salary: $124,058

Kelley:  
Class of 2019

Full-time graduates: 201
Full-time graduates known to be seeking employment: 181
Full-time graduates employed at graduation: 77.9%
Full-time graduates employed three months after graduation: 94.5%
Average base salary: $115,725

variantguy · Answer

I haven't personally heard of too many brand management or CPG marketing roles being open to internationals, plus from what I've understood talking to students who landed those roles (mostly domestic) - relevant positional and geographic experience matters a lot since marketing is a very culture-driven and consumer-driven function. Also, you may want to check with current students on how many of those marketing/brand management roles can be STEM-designated. You could always try BD/Sales/PMM roles in tech companies and from there try to break into BM roles later on. Just a thought.

The reason why I bring this up is, when evaluating schools for career outcomes, you should try to put more weightage on your Plan A (which in your case seems to be tech). You should certainly consider your Plan B and C and so on too since an MBA is all about backing yourself and taking calculated risks, but at the same time be realistic about it. If a BM or CPG marketing role is a moonshot, then you are essentially comparing Kelley vs. Tepper for tech recruiting. And if so, Tepper will be a much stronger brand than Kelley.

The 60k is a sizeable consideration, and since money and financial risks are very subjective matters, I can't comment much on that aspect.

Good luck with your decision!

bb · Answer

You are absolutely right variantguy and blowice27 CPG H1B numbers are abysmal

https://gmatclub.com/forum/top-mba-h1b- ... 43153.html

blowice27 · Answer

Thanks  bb ,  variantguy ,  FinanceMan .

Here’s what I was thinking. There is good chance that I’m upper tier at Kelley and Mid at Tepper.
So if I’m able to secure a job at either one, how long will it take for Tepper’s brand to make up for 60k. Plus I’ve wanted to do an exchange, which Kelley will allow because of less cost.

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variantguy · Answer

I think this relates to the larger, more philosophical question - "Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond?"

"How long will it take for Tepper's brand to make up for 60k" is a difficult question to answer, because how do you put a monetary value to something as intangible as a brand? You could compare the average salaries + joining bonuses in Tech at Tepper vs. those at Kelley to see if there's any difference. My hunch is there may not be. The difference could be in your probability of landing those roles, and again, only you can decide if the increase in your odds, whatever crude approximation that is, is worth the $60k or not? You can also think of the value that a more established cohort might add to your future network (since you are telling us that at Tepper you'd probably find that). And did you mean an exchange program at another school? What options does Kelley provide, and do they cover the cost of exchange as well?

blowice27 · Answer

variantguy yes I meant an exchange program at another school. My point was because cost at Kelley will be less, extra burden of doing of an exchange will probably be manageable. But I won't be basing my decision on this cost

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variantguy · Answer

blowice27  Got it, makes sense. Do you mind sharing your motivation behind an exchange and what options do you get at Kelley?

blowice27 · Answer

It's the same motivation for MBA as well. Personal Development and getting to know new people. And possibly getting to know how business is done in other countries. https://kelley.iu.edu/programs/full-tim ... broad.html List of partner schools.

blowice27 · Answer

Thanks for the help everyone. It finally was a very personal choice and I’ll be matriculating at Kelley. I believe that I’m capable of being successful at either, so I’m going to bet on myself and save 60k.
This is in contrast to last year where a deferred admission to higher ranked but expensive UNC. Because of the pandemic, things are little different this year, but I’m completely content and happy with Kelley. It’s a great school and I’m okay with grinding that much harder.

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bb · Answer

Congratulations blowice27 ! That's fantastic news and a great choice with the scholarship! Time to start planning things and get busy!

Hopefully this is fun time (though still stressful with getting the finances, visa, medical and other things in line). Thank you for sharing your decision!

Tepper($) vs Kelley($$$) vs Kenan-Flagler($$)

Tepper vs Kelley vs UNC

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