The last time I submitted a post, it was in order to distinguish between several types of online MBA programs.
This time I’m trying to decide between the ROI found in completing an MBA 100% online or one that has virtual and residency components.
Babson MBA Fast-Track: 21 months | Residency every 7-weeks for 3-days | $75k base program cost
Northeastern University: 24 months | 100% online | $65k program cost
I know what I’m getting with Northeastern. However, I’m finding that if I’m going to dedicate the next 2-years of my life to an MBA program, inclusive of the costs invested, I want to get the most out of it as possible. Therefore, an online MBA from Northeastern, although good, would limit me to different classmates every 5-weeks (not cohort based), and 100% virtual.
Babson has the entrepreneurial spirit and ranking, residency requirements, and cohort. Therefore, I get to play with innovation and creativity while establishing a solid network and experiencing the face-to-face interaction with professors and fellow classmates. I’m just concerned the added costs in traveling: airfare to and from, rental cars and hotel stay will increase the program cost to an approximate $85k or so.
My perspective is this: I want a FUN program. My goal is to get into leadership, strategy or technology consulting with a big firm like PWC, Deloitte, Booz Allen, where using innovation and creativity goes a long way. So, I’d like a program that has some form of entrepreneurship coursework via specialization or built-in. However, I’m not too interested in all the finance-related material of most MBA programs. I find that I like curriculum of Leadership programs, i.e. Purdue University Hybrid MS Leadership. It has more people-oriented content as well as a little bit of Finance, which is great for me.
Also, I came across University of Texas Austin MS Technology Commercialization, which is entrepreneurial-minded, but more focused on getting technology to market. Therefore, it would work best with Product Development, Business Development, etc.; however, I’m worried it may limit my options. As I’m not too certain what I’d like to do with my career, I enjoy the flexibility an MBA brings with me. And I’m not sure how employers view an MBA vs MS Leadership.
Am I all over the place here? : )
Hi Raven 350,
You do appear to be all over the place. Geteducated has a wide selection of MBA courses. At $75k for a MBA, the ROI is hideous. There many cheaper. Again Geteduacted can help.
Have you looked at Califonia InterContinental University? It is DETC (nationally and internationally accepted accreditation) – if you move your career overseas. It is also under $20K. The faculty is a terrific bunch of business and academics. They have just want you want and the courses are demanding with cohorts per class. All online. Good luck!
Vicky, thanks for the feedback!
I had heard of the MSTC program through UT Austin some time ago; however, at that time it was only available on-campus, but is now available online with 1-2 residency requirements including an international trip. I was smitten with the program emphasis of technology entrepreneurship, but felt it was more focused on bringing technology to market rather than Babson’s focus on being able to do anything! So, I didn’t want to be stuck to technology-related entrepreneurship, but having the know-how to take any idea irrespective of what it is and creating value out of it.
However, as I want to pursue a career in leadership/strategy or technology consulting, I believe I’d have more options with Babson’s MBA than UT Austin’s MSTC. Another “however,” I eventually want to work with new and emerging technologies (those often found in annual CES shows), being at the forefront of the latest developments in unique tech like Corning Glass. That is my true passion.
Must see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6Cf7IL_eZ38#!
I feel like pursuing UT Austin’s MSTC is great for:
1) Price $46k
2) Duration 1-year
3) Technology-focused entrepreneurship/ commercialization/ business development/ product development
4) Online component and convenience
5) Great institution and faculty, large alumni network
However, it may not be as good for consulting…. (?) That needs evaluation.
Babson is great for:
1) Ranking and establishment of best entrepreneurship program in the country, or world for that matter
2) Entrepreneurship of anything, not just technology focused offering more flexibility
3) MBA brand and emphasis on innovation and creativity
4) Consulting and/or any field for that matter including the specialities of the MSTC program – more flexibility and mobility
Decisions, decisions….at approximately $40k more than UT Austin MSTC, which is inclusive of residency requirements (travel and lodging costs), Babson is the heavier pill to swallow in terms of expenses. It’s also a year longer in duration than UT Austin’s MSTC program. But given its flexibility and wider perspective on business, it may be the smarter of the two looking down the road.
Hmm….
Hi Vicky!
First and foremost, I do look forward to your responses with great anticipation, so thank you! After digesting your response, I must say I have to agree with everything you said.
I’ve always enjoyed the curriculum found in Leadership programs. To echo your thoughts, they are more focused on the human capital side of things, and are genuinely more fun if you enjoy people over hardcore business, which I do. However, my only fear with pursuing a Leadership program is although I would be learning a great a deal of how to manage and motivate people (as most Leadership programs are designed for that), I worry it may become limiting in some factor if I don’t also have the business acumen often found in an MBA.
So I have been scrutinizing programs that would offer a mixture of everything: creativity, innovation, people-focused coursework, a little finance/accounting/econ, but more importantly, would be different than your typical MBA (too much finance/accounting) or MS Leadership (too much people-focused courses). I also felt Leadership programs would be looked-down upon when compared to an MBA if I wanted to pursue a career in consulting, marketing, product development, technology management, etc.
That being said, I was drawn to Babson for its entrepreneurial focus and strengths in creativity and innovation. Yes it carries its share of coursework in Finance, Stats and Econ; however, there’s also technology, organization (people-focused), strategy and international content. I feel the network I’d gain would help immensely with pursuing a career in consulting, marketing, international opportunities, or perhaps jumping into a start-up venture with fellow classmates.
Have you ever come across the program: MS Technology Commercialization, with UT Austin McComb SOB? I was reviewing that program and it’s also an entrepreneurial-centric program; however, it’s more focused on bringing technology to market. It’s 1-year in length, and also available online with minor residency requirements including an international trip. At $46k, it’s roughly $29k less than Babson, and comes from a well known institution. The only concern is it may be too focused on technology commercialization, limiting your career prospects to: product development, technology transfer, commercialization, technology-based start-ups, etc.
I was wondering your thoughts on a brief comparison between pursuing that kind of program vs Babson’s MBA.
Always a pleasure!
Raven
You are really good at summing up the pros and cons when comparing different online masters. Very nice comparison!
It is of course a big decision and I am always surprised when people spend little time weighing the pros and cons on such an expensive item — plus it does make a difference in your career positioning long term, which affects your earning potential.
I can’t add anything else accept to agree is option A worth $40 more than option B?
There is no right answer other than which one “buys” you the most of what you what from a degree.
However, I wish we could build a compare an online degree tool that was as flexy as your mind!
Vicky
[b]Raven350 wrote:[/b]
[quote]Vicky, thanks for the feedback!
I had heard of the MSTC program through UT Austin some time ago; however, at that time it was only available on-campus, but is now available online with 1-2 residency requirements including an international trip. I was smitten with the program emphasis of technology entrepreneurship, but felt it was more focused on bringing technology to market rather than Babson’s focus on being able to do anything! So, I didn’t want to be stuck to technology-related entrepreneurship, but having the know-how to take any idea irrespective of what it is and creating value out of it.
However, as I want to pursue a career in leadership/strategy or technology consulting, I believe I’d have more options with Babson’s MBA than UT Austin’s MSTC. Another “however,” I eventually want to work with new and emerging technologies (those often found in annual CES shows), being at the forefront of the latest developments in unique tech like Corning Glass. That is my true passion.
Must see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6Cf7IL_eZ38#!
I feel like pursuing UT Austin’s MSTC is great for:
1) Price $46k
2) Duration 1-year
3) Technology-focused entrepreneurship/ commercialization/ business development/ product development
4) Online component and convenience
5) Great institution and faculty, large alumni network
However, it may not be as good for consulting…. (?) That needs evaluation.
Babson is great for:
1) Ranking and establishment of best entrepreneurship program in the country, or world for that matter
2) Entrepreneurship of anything, not just technology focused offering more flexibility
3) MBA brand and emphasis on innovation and creativity
4) Consulting and/or any field for that matter including the specialities of the MSTC program – more flexibility and mobility
Decisions, decisions….at approximately $40k more than UT Austin MSTC, which is inclusive of residency requirements (travel and lodging costs), Babson is the heavier pill to swallow in terms of expenses. It’s also a year longer in duration than UT Austin’s MSTC program. But given its flexibility and wider perspective on business, it may be the smarter of the two looking down the road.
Hmm….[/quote]
Hi Raven,
Welcome back.
Still puzzling out which online masters is best for you, I see.
I can throw in my two cents.
See also our great article:
[url=http://www.geteducated.com/expert-advice/online-mbas/350-best-online-business-degree-masters-degree-in-leadership-versus-online-mba]Online MBA vs. Online Masters Leadership [/url]
The question of Online MBA vs. Online Masters Leadership is a great one and one we hear quite a bit about for the very reasons you mention. Leadership degrees did not even exist a decade ago but have become very popular as Non-MBAs for those who really want to focus on the people aspects of the corporation — what motivates people, what makes a good leader, how do you create a motivational corporate culture.
Leadership masters are really great for people types or those in HR, human capital, psychology, industrial quality control, marketing and building one’s own unique business/brand. They are much more “fun” degrees than the traditional MBA which does often have required courses in econ, calc, finance and accounting. The MBA was originally designed for bug business Corp 500 types.
Much the same can be said for a [url=http://www.geteducated.com/online-mbas/9-online-mbas/93-online-mba-or-masters-in-management]Masters in Management VS. Online MBA[/url].
The management degree focuses on the softer side of business — human capital.
Now, most entrepreneurs are creators and more into the human side than the finance side of business so newer MBAs curriculumn patterns at schools like the [url=http://www.geteducated.com/profiles/show/online-degrees/babson-college/f.w.-olin-graduate-school-of-business/134/452/master-of-business-administration]Babson Online MBA [/url], which is known for its entre emphasis, are more creative in their design from the get go. The Babson MBA is really picking up some great plugs on the reviews side for its east coast rep in the area of entre, which you keep coming back to and its courses are creative.
Of course being from Indiana I have to say [url=http://www.geteducated.com/profiles/search/schoolID=155&SS=Search%20by%20School%20%3E%20Purdue%20University%20%28%20IN%20%29]Purdue University and their online and hybird degrees[/url] — likes their campus degrees — carry a good deal of clout. This school is very well known among tech heads, geeks and engineers so that name carries weight in the the tech world that can come in handy in the job market.
I don’t know of ROI is so tied to on-campus, online Vs. hybrid.
Except as you point out it is going to cost a lot more to attend those
campus residencies!!
I do know that research in online learning shows that attending campus residencies does NOT improve the actual learning or learning outcomes. WHAT it does improve is networking / peer connectivity by having you meet and network with faculty and fellow students.
I’d invest MORE in a residency if I wanted that great face-to-face networking time which really can be worth its weight in gold if you buy into a top brand name and go to a school like Babson or Purdue where plugging into a great alumni network can be career gold!
I see you want to be involved in “PWC, Deloitte, Booz Allen” or that ilk.
My last advice would be that these firms LOVE the MBA and they LOVE top brand names, so
I’d stick with the schools you mention and look the hardest at Babson or Purdue.
Good Luck!
Vicky Phillips
[b]Raven350 wrote:[/b]
[quote]The last time I submitted a post, it was in order to distinguish between several types of online MBA programs.
This time I’m trying to decide between the ROI found in completing an MBA 100% online or one that has virtual and residency components.
Babson MBA Fast-Track: 21 months | Residency every 7-weeks for 3-days | $75k base program cost
Northeastern University: 24 months | 100% online | $65k program cost
I know what I’m getting with Northeastern. However, I’m finding that if I’m going to dedicate the next 2-years of my life to an MBA program, inclusive of the costs invested, I want to get the most out of it as possible. Therefore, an online MBA from Northeastern, although good, would limit me to different classmates every 5-weeks (not cohort based), and 100% virtual.
Babson has the entrepreneurial spirit and ranking, residency requirements, and cohort. Therefore, I get to play with innovation and creativity while establishing a solid network and experiencing the face-to-face interaction with professors and fellow classmates. I’m just concerned the added costs in traveling: airfare to and from, rental cars and hotel stay will increase the program cost to an approximate $85k or so.
My perspective is this: I want a FUN program. My goal is to get into leadership, strategy or technology consulting with a big firm like PWC, Deloitte, Booz Allen, where using innovation and creativity goes a long way. So, I’d like a program that has some form of entrepreneurship coursework via specialization or built-in. However, I’m not too interested in all the finance-related material of most MBA programs. I find that I like curriculum of Leadership programs, i.e. Purdue University Hybrid MS Leadership. It has more people-oriented content as well as a little bit of Finance, which is great for me.
Also, I came across University of Texas Austin MS Technology Commercialization, which is entrepreneurial-minded, but more focused on getting technology to market. Therefore, it would work best with Product Development, Business Development, etc.; however, I’m worried it may limit my options. As I’m not too certain what I’d like to do with my career, I enjoy the flexibility an MBA brings with me. And I’m not sure how employers view an MBA vs MS Leadership.
Am I all over the place here? : )[/quote]