Best school for undergrad preparation?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hypothetically speaking, assume that you are absolutely certain that you either wish to pursue a doctorate in financial economics or a MBA in finance. Considering ONLY their abilities to place you in (1) and prepare you for (2) a top-tier graduate program in either the above mentioned concentrations, as well as their costs of attendance (3) and career placement (4), which schools (in order of preference) would you choose for undergrad if you paid one half (in loans) and your parents the other half of COA, and why?
A) Northwestern (Econ, COA~$51,720)
B) Georgetown (Finance or Econ, COA~$53,800)
C) University of Ill-Urbana-Champaign (Econ, COA~$24,714, instate)
D) Indiana U-Bloomington-Kelley Bschool (Finance, COA~$36,342 out of state)</p>

<p>P.S. I know there are other important factors than these 4, but I was most interested in your opinions on this particular scenario. Thanks for your advice, it may play a significant factor in my future.</p>

2

<p>Your undergrad degree is almost meaningless for an MBA. It's what you do AFTER your UG that counts.</p>

3

<p>I would say you should go to UIUC, simply because UIUC has strong connections with the industries (Youtube for example), and so you can get opportunities for internships, which are important for MBA.</p>

<p>That aside, it's also much cheaper, and although Georgetown is probably more prestigious than UIUC in general, UIUC is still well-known. So not much difference in terms of reputation really....</p>