Debating between regionally known school vs. nationally known

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>I'm getting ready to graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma from their Community/Public Health program. I have a minor in business. I've been working as a medical assistant for five years. I currently work for one of the larger hospitals in the Oklahoma City area with a very expansive outpatient network. My plan is to get involved in healthcare administration. I settled for my bachelor's program, there were no Healthcare Administration degrees anywhere locally. So Public Health was the next best step. I'm thinking that an MBA would prove more useful than a MHA. I feel like beefing up my business education can only help me, and if I decide to change industries someday it would prove more useful.</p>

<p>Here's the point where I am kind of stuck. I would like to start working on my MBA in early 2015. I would be working full time while doing this and don't have to be done in 2 years. I need more work experience anyways. I'm stuck between two universities.</p>

<p>Oklahoma State University
- Online MBA program (I realize this has less legitimacy with some employers, but OSU is a good school with a brick and mortar program as well)
- More expensive of the two options (around $30,000)
- 45 credit hours (Would probably take more like 3-4 years at the pace I want to go at)
- No concentration for Health Services Management<br>
- Nationally known school
- AACSB accredited </p>

<p>Oklahoma Christian University
- Brick and Mortar, with online options. One night per week, done in 2 years.
- total costs around $18,000 plus books
- Smaller class sizes
- Health Services Management focus
- ACBSP accredited
- Around 36 hours, plus 9 for concentration</p>

<p>In the future I may move to Texas, but I don't foresee myself moving to New York City to work on Wall Street or anything like that. </p>

<p>Any advice is helpful.</p>

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<p>If you plan to stay in Oklahoma or move to Texas it shouldn’t be a problem to go to OCU. I would say, however, that if life takes you to one of the coasts, people may form an opinion about you that might not be accurate (or it might be, I don’t know). If you are at all concerned about that possibility, opt for secular options.</p>

<p>Did you serve in the military? The yellow ribbon programs and tuition deferment programs at many colleges can be excellent. It could allow you to go to a bigger school out of state.</p>

<p>I like the idea of classroom time rather than online - an MBA program is as much about building relationships with people as it is about classroom learning. My LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts have grown substantially, and it will be these people that you will rely upon for advise, employment, and friendship far beyond graduation day. Online classes are a pale comparison. At my school we have happy hour at local pubs every Saturday evening after class, and it builds trust and camaraderie, and is a well-needed break. Of course, I don’t know what to expect in terms of happy-hours at OCU, but I’m sure they have something - and I highly-recommend you take part in whatever social gatherings they offer if you choose to go there.</p>