The Best MBA Programs For “Value”

SECOND TIER SCHOOLS DOMINATE THE VALUE RANKING

Overall, you’ll find three schools from Texas (the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech) ranking in Value Colleges’ top ten for value (with the University of Texas-Dallas coming in at 17th).  Seven Big 10 public schools – Indiana, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Maryland – all made the top 20 for value.

Here is how Value Colleges ranked the top twenty full-time MBA programs for value:

1. Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management
2. Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
3. Dartmouth College, Tuck School of Business
4. Georgia Tech University, Scheller College of Business
5. University of Texas, McCombs School of Business
6. Texas A&M University, Mays Business School
7. University of Wisconsin, School of Business
8. University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School
9. Penn State University, Smeal College of Business
10. Texas Tech University, Rawls College of Business
11. University of Washington, Foster School of Business
12. University of Florida, Hough Graduate School of Business
13. University of Connecticut, School of Business
14. Purdue University, Krannert School of Management
15. Michigan State University, Broad Graduate School of Management
16. Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business
17. University of Texas-Dallas, Jindal School of Management
18. Emory University, Goizueta Business School
19. University of Maryland, Smith School of Business
20. University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business

HOW DO GRADUATES PERCEIVE THE VALUE OF THEIR DEGREE?

That’s the quantitative approach. However, the “best value” ranking from GraduatePrograms.com is more for those with a poetic bent. Unlike Value College’s empirically-driven rankings, this one is grounded purely in qualitative sentiments. Based on online surveys with over 10,000 current and former graduate business students, GraduatePrograms.com used a 1-10 scale (with 1 being lowest and 10 being highest) to measure alumni satisfaction. In particular, the survey asked students to evaluate several categories, such as financial aid and education quality, to learn if their MBA program was worth the cost. The totals were then averaged.

And Georgia Tech, which ranked fourth on Value College’s ranking, took the top spot with GraduatePrograms.com, posting a 9.88 score. So why does the Scheller elicit such passion among its students? According to one graduate in Forbes, the program delivers on its value proposition. “As an IT professional, I don’t believe any other program in the country provides a better mixture of reputation and cost. Having a Georgia Tech MBA on my resume has opened doors and has also allowed me to network within an esteemed community.”

Another student, writing in Bloomberg Businessweek, also credited the school’s ability to expand his world. “Being able to work in a multidisciplinary team with PhDs and law students gave me a fresh perspective on the commercialization process. I was also able to meet and interact with VCs, angel investors, and patent attorneys as part of my program.”

BRIGHAM YOUNG RANKS FIRST AND SECOND IN VALUE

With a 9.83 score, Brigham Young – Value Colleges’ top-ranked program for value – finished a shade below Georgia Tech. But Marriott’s value goes far beyond low tuition and strong outcomes. The Marriott experience is also a major draw for prospective MBAs. And it boils down to an extremely supportive environment from starting with administration all the way down to students.

“The BYU MBA program provided me a fantastic foundation for a successful career and a well-rounded experience,” writes one student in Forbes. “The faculty and staff were amazing and the support for my family was wonderful. I wouldn’t trade my experience!”

Another graduate in Bloomberg Businessweek reinforced these sentiments about Marriott. “The best thing about the BYU MBA program was the level of collaboration and teamwork. Everyone was deeply invested in the success of their classmates. We were all stronger and better because we motivated, encouraged, and helped one another.”

Just a hundredth of a point behind Marriott, you’ll find the Yale School of Management. Here, community and curriculum differentiate the program. “I was drawn to Yale SOM for its integrated curriculum, the caliber and accessibility of its faculty, as well as the reach and responsiveness of the entire Yale alumni network,” writes one graduate in Forbes. “The experience gave me the opportunity and tool set to career switch into a completely different industry and accelerate my personal and professional growth.”

“We are extremely collaborative,” adds another Yale grad in Bloomberg Businessweek. “Everyone wants to help you out in whatever way they can, both professionally and personally. Hugging is the norm (don’t shake a Yalie’s hand in a social setting, it’s awkward). We love each other.”