Columbia University vs Temple University (Sport Management/Sport Business M.S. Programs)

Graduate School
1

I’m having a lot of trouble deciding between these two programs. Here is what I am thinking. Any input or advice/suggestions is really greatly appreciated whether it’s specifically about the program or not.

Columbia University
• Ranked #2 globally (and in the U.S.)
• Entire program could cost around $72,000
• Average salary of graduates 3 years after graduating is $94,600
• 95% job placement 3 months after graduating
• Living expense as well as my actual apartment will suck compared to where I will live in Philadelphia.
• Likely will finish the program in a calendar year.
• Although it is in NYC, the program doesn’t seem to be directly well-connected to the sport teams in NYC.
• For the required internship, you find the internship yourself and then it has to be approved by them.
• Sports analytics concentration seems a lot better than the Sports analytics concentration at Temple.
• Reputable school (idk how much this matters though in my field)

Temple University
• Ranked #11 globally (#10 in the U.S.)
• Entire program could cost around $40,000
• Average salary of graduates 3 years after gruating is unknown because the report only showed the top 10. Number 10 was George Washington University with $50,951 so it would be less than that.
• 90% job placement 3 months after graduating
• Living expense is not as expensive as NYC (obviously) and personally I would enjoy living in Philadelphia more than NYC
• Likely will finish the program in two years
• The program has a good relationship with most or all of the teams in the Philly area. (I’m interested in professional sport)
• For the required internship, they help you land the best internship for what your goal is.
• Sports analytics concentration doesn’t seem bad, but it definitely doesn’t feel like it is on Columbia’s level.
• Seems like I would get better work experience while in the program at Temple than Columbia.

*All data is taken from the Postgraduate Sports Business Course Rankings 2016 and from people I have talked to within both programs.

Based off all that, if you were in my shoes what would you do?

2

I am not answering to this question but rather just point out a fact. Temple is NCAA Division I FBS whereas Columbia is at the same level but FCS. Temple has much better athletics as they are in the American Athletic Conference. Plus the Owls play in Lincoln Financial Field even though they are trying to move on-campus. Back in the 2015-16 school year, Temple had over 69,000 fans show up against Penn State and Notre Dame. Their basketball program is great and I have not heard of baseball but I wouldn’t be surprised if they went to the CWS. Columbia is meh, and to be honest I was pretty surprised that they offered a sports analytics program. Columbia does not exactly value sports a lot lol Professional sports wise, you will be fine at either because NYC and Philly both have outstanding professional sports programs. Good luck! :slight_smile:

3

Thanks, I really like Temple better but I don’t want to regret the decision. It seems like I will learn a lot more with Columbia’s sports analytics concentration than Temple’s.