I am a prospective student trying to decide between these two schools. I really liked both campuses, more-so UW than IU, but I keep being told that the campus won’t help my future, only the education quality. I know IU has a far better business school that is only getting better, but, in the grand scheme of things, is there much of a difference between a 7th ranked business school and a 33rd? And this is where the dilemma comes in. I feel like I want to go to Wisconsin, but I also know that Indiana would be a better choice for my future, being a direct admit to their prestigious college of business. I feel like I would like to choose Wisconsin; however, every time I think that, I feel as though I am making a mistake. Any advice?
Indiana has a strong business school, but so does Wisconsin. I don’t know what ranking you are reading, but it is doing you a disservice. A direct admit is helpful and prestigious, but a few things: the campus, the experience, the overall academic strengths of the respective institutions – in which Wisconsin is considerably stronger in a great variety of disciplines – all of these should also play into your consideration. Also, if you received a direct admit to Kelley, this would suggest that you are a strong student overall. That means your chances are quite high for succeeding in business (and generally) at Wisconsin. You should also know that it is more difficult to be a direct admit to business at Wisconsin – very few are accepted, and those slots are exceptionally competitive. To be accepted during the second year is the most common, and you have very good chances.
For undergraduate business, Wisconsin ranks 18th, according to U.S. News, and higher for some specific disciplines (Wisconsin is close to number one in the country for real estate, and does well in accounting and other disciplines, etc.) You should consider that if you double major, or even take courses in different areas besides business – very likely at any school you attend – Wisconsin will probably be stronger in the other areas. Especially consider courses in economics, which is strongly related to business, and where Wisconsin is significantly superior: it has one of the strongest departments in the country.
Kelley at Indiana is very good, and comes in at number 10. But Kelley is not clearly superior to Wisconsin Business in every way. And if you consider rankings at all, this business ranking should be tempered with the overall university ranking, in which the differential favors Wisconsin by a larger margin (and even moreso in the reputable international rankings, where Wisconsin places in the top thirty for universities worldwide). This is the 2014 U.S. News table for the top 25 undergrad business schools for all business disciplines combined, as reported by another periodical (for U.S. News direct site, you must be a subscriber):
http://poetsandquantsforundergrads.com/2014/06/30/2014-u-s-news-undergraduate-business-ranking/2/
Also helpful to read the pages that describe the ranking methodology. The short of it is that rankings vary widely, depending on which inputs one chooses to emphasize. Therefore, all rankings, and this one as well, should be consulted with a grain of salt.
In the end, you should go with your gut, and choose what feels right for you. That probably indicates where you will feel most fulfilled, and therefore perform the best in college. Best of luck-