Brand name State school or Regional School

<p>Hey guys, I have a little decision to make. After having some financial aid issues with my local community college, I have decided to not do engineering because of time, logistics and money. I have decided to go with my original plan, and get a degree in accounting.</p>

<p>Here is the situation. I am 34, married, with a kid, living in a paid for house. I graduated in 2004 from Northeastern State University (local regional school) with a major in criminal justice and a minor in business. If I wanted to, they have a Masters in Accounting and Financial Analysis degree. I would need to take 9 hours of accounting in addition to the 6 I already have, to qualify for entrance, as well as taking the GMAT. </p>

<p>Overall NSU has a graduation rate of 30%, but it is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. When I asked the head of the Masters in A&F if the Big 4 recruited there, he said yes, they had some students get jobs with big 4, but that most students in the program were already working the accounting field. </p>

<p>My other choice, would be to take enough accounting hours from NSU, and transfer to Oklahoma State University and enter their masters in accounting program, which from what I hear has a decent business school (by the way is there anywhere to check and see how good a school's reputation is?) However, the branch of the school that offers a masters or undergrad degree is an hour and a half drive from my house. That would be extremely time and gas consuming, if I didn't want to live on campus and spend an extra 8k a year.</p>

<p>So I guess I am asking, overall, and in the long run, does it matter which school I attend? Should I just go to the close-by NSU, or go for the OSU Masters? Should I call/email some of the "big 4" or other local firms and ask their opinion of both schools? Is that doable or proper?</p>

<p>By the way, to get a BS in accounting at NSU, I would need about 40 hours, and the Master's program is 30 hours.</p>

<p>Any ideas, suggestions, comments, and help is appreciated.</p>