<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>I live in Michigan. This semester I am finishing my ABA at OCC and will be transfering somewhere in the Winter to begin my BBA. Both of my parents died within the last three years, and I have no saved funds for college; but I do receive $4,700 in grants every year. Therefore, I need a collage that is inexpensive, yet is very efficient in its courses, as well have some credability when I go for jobs after graduation. I spoke with my current college counselor. He suggested Baker and Walsh. After doing the math, I found that Baker was more inexpensive. (This could partly be do to the fact that I have taken numerous courses at OCC that do not apply to my ABA, yet would to my BBA). I have a relative that went to Baker who stated that she found nothing wrong with the school, and in fact found a job with the school directly after graduation. She, however, was an accounting major, for which Baker does receive high scores. Walsh, however, is known as a business school, and its BBA is all professional and major based. Conversely, Baker's BBA also includes Social Science, Humanities, and Science courses that Walsh does not require. Though this means less money that needs to be put-out for Baker, it also means less actuall business courses. The OCC counselor told me that, Unless I am going to U of M Ann Arbor, the other colleges, along with the U of M off-shoots (ex: Flint), do not really mean much when it comes to prestige. Is this true?</p>
<p>Basically, I am looking for a collage that will give me the biggest bang for the buck. Any and all help you can give would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Thank You.</p>
<p>P.S. My first draw to Baker was the fact that I can obtain my BBA through all online courses. I am drawn to any collage that can offer most or all courses online. Thanks again.</p>
<p>There is an online forum <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/online-degrees/%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/online-degrees/</a> that may be worth a visit.</p>
<p>University of Maryland University College offers extensive on-line programs. <a href="Redirect">url=http://www.umuc.edu</a> - <a href="http://www.umuc.edu/index.shtml">http://www.umuc.edu/index.shtml</a> - UMUC</p>
<p>Is your ABA a transfer program? If so, you should be guaranteed admission to at least one of the public universities in-state. They might not be online though.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>
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The OCC counselor told me that, Unless I am going to U of M Ann Arbor, the other colleges, along with the U of M off-shoots (ex: Flint), do not really mean much when it comes to prestige. Is this true?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I would tend to agree with this.</p>
<p>You may find, however, that employers consider a degree earned face-to-face to be more "real" than a degree earned on-line. This would be a plug for one of the public universities in state, such as Flint or whichever is closest or most convenient for you. Places like Flint could also perhaps help you find an internship in your field, which would again help with future employers.</p>
<p>If your goal is really to have the BBA in hand, the inexpensive on-line program would be meet this goal. This is especially true if you want to keep working where you are currently working and want to have the bachelor's degree for advancement or job security. Also, if your life situation makes it so it is nearly impossible to go to classes except for on line, of course an on line BBA is better than not finishing the BBA.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your hard work and success thus far, and good luck!</p>
<p>"Prestige" may not matter much depending on the area where you will be looking for a job. Often employers will prefer graduates of their local colleges/universities over graduates of other more prestigious universities just because they are more familiar with the local programs. For a second job, prestige may or may not be useful, again depending on where it is you want to work, but after that the only thing that really matters is your work experience (and perhaps specific coursework that would directly relate to the new position). I don't know how much work experience you have. You may already have passed the point where the precise source of your BBA would matter very much.</p>
<p>Have you asked your manager where he/she thinks you should go given his/her experience with recent BBAs? That might give you a lead.</p>
<p>Biggest bang for the buck is almost always a public school (Ivies and scholarships aside). Publics aren't always the right fit for some people and certain situations. But it's public colleges that are taking over the lead in promoting online and distance learning.</p>
<p>UM-Flint offers their business degree online (concentrating in general business, but I'm sure you can mix/match with evening and other classes that fit your schedule). Assuming 15 credits (all in upper-level business classes), it will cost $4374 in tuition and fees per semester, little more than Baker's $2850 (tuition only).
One question to ask is if your associates degree fully transfers into the program. You may need to retake or pass a test if you took Introductory Marketing, Finance or Management at the community college level. That could make the difference between graduating 1 or 2 years.</p>