I’m considering enrolling in a school that offers a 5 year BS engineering/MBA degree. I’m looking at Purdue, Rensellaer and U of Cincinnati. Are there other schools that offer this combination? Is this even a good idea?
Why? Not wanting to take the wind out of your sails, but what is your overall goal? A likely outcome is a situation where potential employers won’t be interested for a couple reasons 1)They assume you don’t want to stick around and do engineering because of the MBA or 2)Not interested in hiring for the MBA because you have no experience. Personally, I would ask the schools that offer the program what outcome the students have. I’d be curious myself.
I have to agree with Decide. I don’t see the need for an MBA until you have some experience in the real world. Now, a 5-yr BS/MS in engineering would make more sense to me. Of course, I’m an engineer. So there’s that.
I think this option is more for the folks behind the glass doors than for your average engineer. In other words, your interests lie in management, not in engineering, but you want to be a mid to high level manager in a technology firm.
Also, reading through the Purdue requirements, this is not an easy major nor are they offering you admission as a freshman. It will be up to you to meet the standards of this program, which is going to be another 25% harder than regular engineering. And if engineering comes easily to you, you might more likely want to actually do it, rather than learn how and then just boss around a bunch of people who are doing it. But it takes all kinds and a technical MBA seems like something of value. With the engineering BS, you have tech cred with both management and your underlings.
I would highly recommend some really good internships or summer jobs at a future employer so you don’t walk into somewhere without a clue as to day-to-day ops. Even consider working somewhere in a factory environment or similar, just to pick up the vibe … or as a draftsman programmer.
Obviously, ask the programs about job placements, and … well, report back …
A college resume with an engineering BS combined with an MBA would end up in my round file so fast it would make your head spin!!! I wasn’t about to spend my time and the companies money training an engineer that really wasn’t truly committed to becoming an engineer (which is what the MBA is telling me).
There are lots of threads that discuss this issue, Read them.
^^^On the other hand, if you’re applying to a consulting firm, they would view it as a plus.
You really have to figure out what type of career you want after graduation. If you’re an EE, and want to be a working engineer, then the MBA isn’t of much use and could hurt. If you’re an ISE, or want to work at a consulting firm, then it’s an option.
With a 4+1 BS/MBA/MS programs, you typically don’t have to decide until you’ve finished your 2nd year. You’ll have time to figure it all out. Thinking about consulting? Enter some of the case competitions that are sponsored (many times by consulting firms) on campus. Spend a summer doing an internship/job shadowing, spend time talking with older students, recruiters and professors. You don’t have to make a decision in high school.
Like HPuck35 said, lots of threads on this subject, you should read them. 
Thank all of you for your insight. I really appreciate the time you have taken to respond. You have given me alot to think about.