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 !

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.

appreciate the feedback !

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

What university will be in Georgetown?
I hope the tuition fee is as low as Illinois.

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.

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.

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.

[Edited by George Patsoulis on Feb 08, 2019]

Odds are, it will be UMD.

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