Backup option to Illinois iMBA


Posted Jan 23, 2019 23:56

Hi all,

I recently applied for the Illinois iMBA (Fall 2019 intake). I interviewed last week and was told I would be notified of the admissions decision in late February. I know this is a fairly competitive program so I'd like to have a couple of backup options. My background:
- BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering
- 7 yrs of technical and project management experience
- currently managing team of 8 (PM's and engineering support staff)
- looking to learn more on the business and move into a technical Director role in the next 3-5 yrs
- green card holder, living in Seattle

I already have $40k in loans for my BS and MS so I'd like to maximize my company's tuition reimbursement program ($5k/yr) and minimize out-of-pocket. Shooting for online programs in the $25-35k range and considering the following:
- UMass Amherst
- Durham University
- U of Cincinnati
- Ball State
- Nebraska-Lincoln

Any others you'd recommend? I'm open to programs in Europe not only US.
Thanks in advance !
Hi all,

I recently applied for the Illinois iMBA (Fall 2019 intake). I interviewed last week and was told I would be notified of the admissions decision in late February. I know this is a fairly competitive program so I'd like to have a couple of backup options. My background:
- BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering
- 7 yrs of technical and project management experience
- currently managing team of 8 (PM's and engineering support staff)
- looking to learn more on the business and move into a technical Director role in the next 3-5 yrs
- green card holder, living in Seattle

I already have $40k in loans for my BS and MS so I'd like to maximize my company's tuition reimbursement program ($5k/yr) and minimize out-of-pocket. Shooting for online programs in the $25-35k range and considering the following:
- UMass Amherst
- Durham University
- U of Cincinnati
- Ball State
- Nebraska-Lincoln

Any others you'd recommend? I'm open to programs in Europe not only US.
Thanks in advance !
quote

Posted Jan 25, 2019 12:53

That UMass program is well regarded and typically places near the top of the FT's Online MBA Ranking, with decent salary growth stats. Assuming you are looking to stay in the US, that's probably your best choice, IMO (although the Nebraska-Lincoln program is also well regarded...)

The Durham program would be worth considering if you're looking for a wider, more international network.
That UMass program is well regarded and typically places near the top of the FT's Online MBA Ranking, with decent salary growth stats. Assuming you are looking to stay in the US, that's probably your best choice, IMO (although the Nebraska-Lincoln program is also well regarded...)

The Durham program would be worth considering if you're looking for a wider, more international network.
quote

Posted Jan 26, 2019 07:47

appreciate the feedback !
appreciate the feedback !
quote

Posted Jan 28, 2019 19:15

You're not considering any in-class programs? Foster has an excellent Evening MBA program, centrally located in Seattle. The benefits of doing an MBA locally over through distance learning would be networking opportunities with locals; this can often lead to jobs. May be out of your price range though.
You're not considering any in-class programs? Foster has an excellent Evening MBA program, centrally located in Seattle. The benefits of doing an MBA locally over through distance learning would be networking opportunities with locals; this can often lead to jobs. May be out of your price range though.
quote

Posted Jan 29, 2019 05:51

[quote]You're not considering any in-class programs? Foster has an excellent Evening MBA program, centrally located in Seattle. The benefits of doing an MBA locally over through distance learning would be networking opportunities with locals; this can often lead to jobs. May be out of your price range though.[/quote]

The UW Foster programs are excellent indeed but unfortunately way out of my price range. Their evening MBA is $85k and hybrid online is $75k.
[quote]You're not considering any in-class programs? Foster has an excellent Evening MBA program, centrally located in Seattle. The benefits of doing an MBA locally over through distance learning would be networking opportunities with locals; this can often lead to jobs. May be out of your price range though.[/quote]

The UW Foster programs are excellent indeed but unfortunately way out of my price range. Their evening MBA is $85k and hybrid online is $75k.
quote

Posted Jan 29, 2019 18:45

Have you considered MacQuarie University's Global MBA? A Coursera based MBA program that directly competes with Illinois iMBA and is also AACSB accredited. Similar price range.
Have you considered MacQuarie University's Global MBA? A Coursera based MBA program that directly competes with Illinois iMBA and is also AACSB accredited. Similar price range.
quote

Posted Jan 29, 2019 21:06

Since this person is in the US and is in a more traditional corporate setting, Illinois is a much better option than Macquarie.
Since this person is in the US and is in a more traditional corporate setting, Illinois is a much better option than Macquarie.
quote

Posted Jan 30, 2019 15:11

Plus, the MGSM program hasn't even launched yet. Even though it's offered through a world-class business school, it's still somewhat of an unknown. I would stick with the tried-and-true option.
Plus, the MGSM program hasn't even launched yet. Even though it's offered through a world-class business school, it's still somewhat of an unknown. I would stick with the tried-and-true option.
quote

Posted Feb 03, 2019 01:46

Thank you all for the input.

I had not looked into MacQuarie, but I agree with Duncan and Razors Edge. It is a new program and Illinois has a stronger reputation.


Thank you all for the input.

I had not looked into MacQuarie, but I agree with Duncan and Razors Edge. It is a new program and Illinois has a stronger reputation.


quote

Posted Feb 04, 2019 19:34

MGSM's program being *new* doesn't necessarily make it a risky choice. We're talking about an internationally - accredited business school, delivering an MBA with one of the premier online learning platforms.

I could imagine that a case where somebody based in Australia wanted to do the Macquire program simply because of the brand recognition and network, for example.
MGSM's program being *new* doesn't necessarily make it a risky choice. We're talking about an internationally - accredited business school, delivering an MBA with one of the premier online learning platforms.

I could imagine that a case where somebody based in Australia wanted to do the Macquire program simply because of the brand recognition and network, for example.
quote

Posted Feb 04, 2019 20:20

The difference between the two is really the target outcome: Illinois is for traditional MBA roles and Macquarie is more for entrepreneurs and people in the gig economy.
The difference between the two is really the target outcome: Illinois is for traditional MBA roles and Macquarie is more for entrepreneurs and people in the gig economy.
quote

Posted Feb 05, 2019 12:17

Iowa also launched a new online MBA for $31k

We will be seeing more and more schools offering online options!

I am curious to see what will pop at edX :) They started offering some very affordable top ranked programs and MBA will be announced "soon"

[Edited by George Patsoulis on Feb 05, 2019]

Iowa also launched a new online MBA for $31k

We will be seeing more and more schools offering online options!

I am curious to see what will pop at edX :) They started offering some very affordable top ranked programs and MBA will be announced "soon"
quote

Posted Feb 05, 2019 20:11

[quote]Iowa also launched a new online MBA for $31k

We will be seeing more and more schools offering online options!

I am curious to see what will pop at edX :) They started offering some very affordable top ranked programs and MBA will be announced "soon"
[/quote]

I have contacted edx regarding what mba program they will offer but they probably can’t begin the program this year.
[quote]Iowa also launched a new online MBA for $31k

We will be seeing more and more schools offering online options!

I am curious to see what will pop at edX :) They started offering some very affordable top ranked programs and MBA will be announced "soon"
[/quote]

I have contacted edx regarding what mba program they will offer but they probably can’t begin the program this year.
quote

Posted Feb 07, 2019 18:29

I have a feeling it won't be an MBA from one of its top partners like Harvard or Berkeley but maybe a lower ranked school that's not already offering an online MBA. In the Georgetown range, for example.
I have a feeling it won't be an MBA from one of its top partners like Harvard or Berkeley but maybe a lower ranked school that's not already offering an online MBA. In the Georgetown range, for example.
quote

Posted Feb 07, 2019 23:54

What university will be in Georgetown?
I hope the tuition fee is as low as Illinois.
[quote]I have a feeling it won't be an MBA from one of its top partners like Harvard or Berkeley but maybe a lower ranked school that's not already offering an online MBA. In the Georgetown range, for example. [/quote]
What university will be in Georgetown?
I hope the tuition fee is as low as Illinois.
[quote]I have a feeling it won't be an MBA from one of its top partners like Harvard or Berkeley but maybe a lower ranked school that's not already offering an online MBA. In the Georgetown range, for example. [/quote]
quote

Posted Feb 08, 2019 00:41

Georgetown is a reference to the university of that name in Washington DC, rather than a university in Georgetown, the Malaysian city. Georgetown does currently have an online business masters, and it's well above the pricing for state universities like Illinois.
Georgetown is a reference to the university of that name in Washington DC, rather than a university in Georgetown, the Malaysian city. Georgetown does currently have an online business masters, and it's well above the pricing for state universities like Illinois.
quote

Posted Feb 08, 2019 08:12

[quote]Georgetown is a reference to the university of that name in Washington DC, rather than a university in Georgetown, the Malaysian city. Georgetown does currently have an online business masters, and it's well above the pricing for state universities like Illinois. [/quote]


Illinois is amazing that it offers mba at such price level.
[quote]Georgetown is a reference to the university of that name in Washington DC, rather than a university in Georgetown, the Malaysian city. Georgetown does currently have an online business masters, and it's well above the pricing for state universities like Illinois. [/quote]


Illinois is amazing that it offers mba at such price level.
quote

Posted Feb 08, 2019 10:38

[quote]I have a feeling it won't be an MBA from one of its top partners like Harvard or Berkeley but maybe a lower ranked school that's not already offering an online MBA. In the Georgetown range, for example. [/quote]

Well yeah... it will be from a university that is willing to offer at the price range
So far they have some pretty good partnerships, like the Computer Science master from Texas-Austin, a bargain for 10k, and the Data Science degree from UCSD. (both are near the top ranked in those fields). So there is good chance their MBA partnership will worth it.

Soon they will announce Business Analytics from University of Edinburgh Business School :)

[Edited by George Patsoulis on Feb 08, 2019]

[quote]I have a feeling it won't be an MBA from one of its top partners like Harvard or Berkeley but maybe a lower ranked school that's not already offering an online MBA. In the Georgetown range, for example. [/quote]

Well yeah... it will be from a university that is willing to offer at the price range
So far they have some pretty good partnerships, like the Computer Science master from Texas-Austin, a bargain for 10k, and the Data Science degree from UCSD. (both are near the top ranked in those fields). So there is good chance their MBA partnership will worth it.

Soon they will announce Business Analytics from University of Edinburgh Business School :)
quote

Posted Feb 08, 2019 12:57

Odds are, it will be UMD.
Odds are, it will be UMD.
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Posted Feb 08, 2019 13:20

I thought about that as well, because of the Micromasters program, it fits the style, and Maryland is a major contributor to edX
But they already have an online MBA, and it is already connected to the Micromasters, so it would be strange to offer another one
I thought about that as well, because of the Micromasters program, it fits the style, and Maryland is a major contributor to edX
But they already have an online MBA, and it is already connected to the Micromasters, so it would be strange to offer another one
quote

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