Babson or Boston College?

Question

I'd like to get some feedback from fellow Bostonians on this topic of Babson College vs. Boston College. I would like to eventually start my own business some day and thus plan on concentrating in entrepreneurship. I have almost 3 years of W/E in an I-Bank and would like to work for a small start up firm or in a management role after graduating (some type of experience that I could apply to my own business later on)... it may be hard to land a job doing this type of work without an internship since it is somewhat of a career change from my current role.

I received admission to Babson's 1 year program with a $20k scholarship, but would have to forego an internship since the program is only 1 year. This one-year program would save a ton of money though when compared to a 2 year program.

I also received admission to BC's 2 year dual degree MBA/MSF program with a $15k scholarship.

BC seems to have a slightly stronger reputation in New England, has a higher selectivity rate, and is ranked higher than Babson in most of the overall rankings (US News, WSJ, etc.). I would also gain a Master's of Finance in addition to an MBA. BC also has an MBA concentration in Entrepreneurship.

Babson still reigns as #1 in entrepreneurship and has much better facilities than BC, but BC does have the better location - right next to the T and closer to Boston.

More companies do tend to recruit from Babson due to the larger enrollment of full-time MBA students, but only 72% of students landed a job upon graduation in 2007. I believe almost all of BC students secured a job upon graduation, but not many companies recruit on campus at BC due to the small class size.

Any thoughts?

riverripper · Answer

I would say BC overall has a much better rep as a school. The Carol School of Management is a great undergrad program so its well know in the business world. Obviously Harvard and MIT are the best schools in the Boston area, then its a tight race between Tufts, Brandies, and BC. Babson is a well regarded business school but the overall name BC will carry more weight in the northeast.

Babson is a well regarded ent school but I am not sure the 1year is the best option. I think unless you are returning to the same industry post grad then you are better off with the 2y and an internship. BC's program is probably too small for its own good, it does hurt their recruiting efforts with variety but the companies that do go hire people. Your placement and pay will be strong coming out of BC but you may have to pursue more things on your own if the companies you want arent showing up.

My vote is BC, in my opinion its the best of the rest in boston for MBA's (BC, BU, and Babson)

jbguy · Answer

I agree with riverripper. BC has a very good reputation, unless you are talking to ND grads. It is very strong in the Northeast and well-known around the country. Babson is well-known in the Northeast, but not as much in other regions. You may want to think about that if you ever plan on living elsewhere.

playoptions · Answer

riverrippper and jbguy - thank you both for your input. Do you think cost should be a factor in the decision between the 2 schools? For example, Babson's 1 year program would only cost about $60k worth of loans ($80k total cost for 1 year less $20k scholarship). Total cost includes housing, tuition, medical, personal exp., etc.

On the other hand, the total cost for BC is about $90k ($60k total/year less $15k scholarship * 2 years) PLUS the opportunity cost of not working during the second year (vs. Babson's 1 year), let's just say I make another $90k right out of grad school. That brings the total cost to $180k.

BC would cost $120,000 more in loans than Babson. Do you think it's really worth paying this much more for going to BC... will it pay off in the long run?

kryzak · Answer

my question is, if Babson is almost ALWAYS ranked at the top (over Stanford, MIT, Haas, Harvard) with entrepreneurship, why wouldn't it be a no brainer to go there if you want to do entrepreneurship, no matter what industry? Just curious.

playoptions · Answer

Yes, it's ranked #1 for entrepreneurship, but that does not necessarily mean it is the best MBA program for me. If you were interested in international studies, Thunderbird is ranked #1, but would you choose Thunderbird over a much higher ranked and more prestigious school? I know Babson is #1 for Entrepreneurship, but I question the reputation of the school itself when compared to more reputable schools in the region that also offer Entrepreneurial studies.

riverripper · Answer

I think specialized rankings for ent are overblown in a lot of ways. I can see the benefit of leaning one way or another based on Marketing, Finance, Management, and Operations. However, I would say you need to compare them against peer schools. Someone wanting ent isnt going to turn down MIT for Babson. Its a good school but thats where a lot of its focus is, it might teach you a lot about ent but in a way I think you are better off going to the better school here. Especially the 2 year program. I know that 1y is cheaper but still think that the 2y is the best way to go.

700willdo · Answer

you say babson has 72% employment rate upon graduation. I would say that is as good as most elite schools have. On the other hand you say BC has 100% employment upon graduation. That is unheard of!!! Most schools hover around the 70-80% employment rated upon graduation.

riverripper · Answer

Actually the top schools all have 85%+ some like HBS, Kellogg, Dartmouth have over 90%.

Per the new USNews, BC has 82% at grad and 98% after 3 months. Babson has 70% at grad and 92% 3 months after..

xerox · Answer

This is a very subjective oppinion on Babson, and it is all I know about Babson.

I have a friend who dropped out of Babson MBA because the course was very often about how to stretch the ethics to make things work, and people were quite into it.

According to her, it was sort of like:

How do we sell guns in Darfur without getting our reputation stained too much?
Well, if there is a law that prohibits action X, is there a law that also may provide a loophole in order for the prohibition of action X to be somewhat questionable?

Also, according to her, being black herself was a problem at Babson.

If you need more info, PM me, and I will help you contact my friend.

playoptions · Answer

i was actually just going to post the US News numbers too! Well, not all BC students secure a position upon graduation, but the numbers are still much better than Babson's.

I was leaning towards Babson, but you really got me thinking twice about BC now Riverripper...

kryzak · Answer

interesting. If the specialty rankings mean nothing, especially since it's purely just a poll by peer school deans, then why does Thunderbird stand atop of international business year after year after year (and similarly Babson, even featured in Business week in 2006 for entrepreneurship)? Very puzzled.

Remember, % employment rate is NOT the bets indicator for how good a school is sometimes. On the new US News rankings, there were some schools with high 90's and 100% employment rate after 3 months, ranked way out of the top 20. In this sense, I actually agree (for once) with rankingsgod on that point.

togafoot · Answer

i mentioned it in another thread. employment stats are only of those who reported.

Those who did not report are not included in the stats, so you never really get a true reflection.

As for speciality rankings, there must be some use for them other than marketing, particularly if it requires the schools input.

GMAT4Lyfe · Answer

I really like the 1 yr Babson program, especially if you are planning on staying in the northeast, babson is known to every company in the area

a good friend of mine is currently enrolled in the 1 year and should be graduting in a few months, he is telling me that 75% of the ppl have jobs lined up already...

I myself and puzzled by the whole BC vs Babson deal but the 1 year MBA is verrry attractive to me....

Babson or Boston College?

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