If I’m interested in a business career and don’t get into Ross, what is the better option - LSA at Michigan or the Kelley school at Indiana?
Either would be great. Study what you prefer and which would be more exciting for you. Money being equal.
Um is a more selective school or to some more “prestigious” than IU but Kelley school as a subset is an equal.
I think an economics degree from UM and a finance degree from IU KSOB are dead even. It will come down to grades and you.
It is important to understand that a liberal arts degree and a business degree are very different paths. If you go through LSA at Michigan you will major in one of the liberal arts (perhaps economics which can get very theoretical at the higher levels). If you go Kelley you will take a business core with introductory classes in subjects such as accounting, finance, IT, marketing etc. and then you will major in one of those disciplines. You can find success at both schools, but they are different paths. I would take the time to carefully look through the coursework you will likely take (can be found online) at both the Kelley School and as a liberal arts major at UM and see if one curriculum is preferable to you.
If you want a career in business & you want to study business, then IU-Kelley is the clear answer. But much depends upon your concept of a career in “business”. For example, do you envision yourself working for a major corporation or as a management consultant flying around the country & advising businesses how to improve ?
If your interest is in finance, then you need to be in a business school. If you want to study economics, then Michigan might be the better choice.
What is the COA (cost of attendance) for you at each school ?
Also, consider that with an undergraduate business degree, a traditional two year full time MBA program may not be “necessary” in order to advance your career as a one year specialty masters degree should be adequate depending upon your goal.