<p>I'm wondering because I go to a less-known university (Kennesaw State University) and I'm sure I could get into a better one like Georgia Tech or Emory (well aware they arent top 10 but lot better than KSU). I'm just hesitant because I'm living at home at KSU which means no debt/loans graduating but if I transfer, I will probably have to take loans. Which if in the long-run, will be a huge impact, I'm fine taking the loans. I just don't want to take loans knowing that the college name on my degree really had no impact on my success after college.</p>
<p>Additionally, if I plan to get a graduate degree (either a M. Acc or MBA), would my undergraduate's college name even matter?</p>
<p>Investing is risky. High risk, high reward. Low risk, low reward. You need to look at outplacement after graduation. Where do graduates of KSW go to work and what do they earn and where to they attend post-grad versus where you want to go? </p>
<p>That will help let you know if you’re getting your money’s worth. Nobody else is you but you can gauge if there is some ceiling on how far your school can help you go compared to others. </p>
<p>Debt isn’t bad if it produces a greater return on investment then you owe.</p>
<p>Honestly. after 3 years of stellar work experience and/or an MBA. No one really cares about your undergraduate school.</p>
<p>On the flip side, it would seem investment firms like to hire fresh out of college kids to run the 20 hour work days. so the older you are the less likely they will hire you for entry level positions. And without work experience the only thing they can really bank/rely on is school name and GPA.</p>
<p>College pedigree is important in a few situations</p>
<ul>
<li>You just graduated and have limited work experience. I need something else so I look at college + grades</li>
<li>I am a top tier firm and have so many candidates so I can be choosy. I might even filter by college.</li>
<li>A big name university has a stronger alumni circle. More people to network with and more firms during recruitment season. </li>
</ul>
<p>Ultimately ask yourself how much help you think you will need to get your foot in the door? Are you the type who will work hard regardless of where you go or do you need a leg up against your competitors? If you are the type who hustles and will make it work, save your money and go to KSU. Going to a big name school won’t guarantee you a job but they tend to have more suitors for on campus recruitment.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone here except I read a pretty good article that elite mba programs may have a bias towards applicants from elite corporations. They will take someone from Goldman’s over Gelfoyle and Morgan Stanley over Leo Dorfman (yes, I just made up a couple names which you never heard of which is my point). Those companies require some academic heft with a name behind it to get into.</p>
<p>So, it is possible ( I can’t say anything in absolutes) that the reputation of the school can have a long term impact if you have a specific goal to follow a somewhat narrow path. Otherwise, everyone’s advice is absolutely accurate here.</p>
<p>Well i’ve pretty much determined that I dont want to work for the top-tier level of business, it just seems very life-consuming even with the high salary. I just want a decent entry level job that pays $45,000+ with a possible chance later in life to move into a position like CFO for a small/medium company if I chose. I don’t want to graduate knowing no matter how many years of experience I get, I will be salary capped at $60,000 cause my degree name isn’t elite.</p>
<p>I’m definitely one of those types who will get by no matter what happens but at the same time, I’m just wanting to make sure my degree name isn’t going to force me to beg for an interview at every company. I remember reading on the law school forum that if you dont go to a top school or know the right person, you will never even get the interview, no matter how good your interview skills or expertise in the field was. That’s my concern.</p>
<p>^ Law and business are completely different. Don’t read too much into advice for 1 profession and think it will apply to another. If you are in law school and want to do corporate law, you most definitely need to either go to a top tier law firm. The difference is supply. Prominent law firms like Wachtell probably hires about 20-30 associates. You have hundreds of law students from Harvard, Yale, Columbia etc etc all applying for those 20-30 positions. If you do not go to a top tier school, your application won’t even reach their desk.</p>
<p>Whereas in business, you can be an accountant for a big name bank or if you want a small retailer. There are less restriction. Small retailers will not need big name M&A lawyers.</p>
<p>School and grades will help you get your first job. After that, it is all up to you on what you learn, how you learn, who you meet, and seeking opportunities. A degree won’t dictate you making “60k” for the rest of your life. Plenty of people who graduated from no name colleges and worked their way up to CEOs. </p>
<p>Also, if you ever do end up becoming a CFO, you’ll be compensated well. CFOs for 20-30 million dollar companies tend to be in the 200k range.</p>
<p>I do think the undergrad matters, but in your case I don’t think it is worth all the additional debt. If you can get into a top Masters in Accountancy program you should be recruited for a job from there.</p>
<p>While there is an advantage to going to a “bigger name school” I just don’t think it is worth going $100K in debt. I might have a different answer if you said the debt would be a much more moderate amount, but the level of debt you are talking about would be crippling as you start your adult life. I’d stay put and try to get into more of a big name program for your masters. Some really good schools offer one year Masters in Accounting programs (offhand I know of Notre Dame, USC, UMichigan and I’m sure there are lots more). I’d consider taking on a certain amount of debt for the master’s program if it means a better school because that would likely be only a 1 year program (at least for a masters in accounting).</p>
<p>@Happy1 Well the $100k of debt would be for graduate school. Going to Emory or GA Tech for my undergraduate would probably be $12,000ish for GA Tech and $20,000 for Emory (Emory is private and does a lot of financial aid so im not sure exactly).</p>