<p>The title may seem a bit misleading, but it basically sums up the point.</p>
<p>I am majoring in business at the undergraduate level. My two choices of schools come between Northeastern University or the University of Pittsburgh. At the University of Pittsburgh, I would be double majoring in Business and Statistics (or Mathematics), and at NEU I would just get a BSBA in Finance & Insurance. Both programs (double major at Pitt or the three co-op program at NEU would take 5 years) The NEU program is ranked slightly higher (by Businessweek - #22 vs #86 for Pitt) but USNews rankings are closer (about 10 apart).</p>
<p>The cost can be a factor as well. I am planning to go for an MBA. NEU's program would cost about 40K a year (including room/board) not factoring in any co-op salary. Pitt would cost just about 20K a year. Pitt doesn't have an active co-op program, but is ranked slightly higher overall. Also, I don't know how much the co-op factors into tuition in a five year plan.</p>
<p>Opinions please! Basically, does the co-op program at NEU make it a much better choice (despite being double the cost)? Thank you.</p>
<p>If anything, Pitt is ranked higher than Northeastern by US News by a few spots .Not that rankings are that meaningful but I would be curious as to why you feel Northeastern is more prestigious than Pitt. They are pretty comparable and Pitt has been around since 1787. I guess prestige can be somewhat regional. I’m originally from Pennsylvania and now am in Virginia. Pitt and its’ programs are much more well known to me ,for instance, than Northeastern. I’ve heard that Northeastern has good coop programs but that’s about all I know.</p>
<p>I know Pitt is better ranked. I am specifically talking about their “prestige” in business, in which NEU ranks in the top-30 for undergraduate business.</p>
<p>NEU is no more prestigious in business than Pitt. Tp 30 in business doesn’t mean much when most top schools do not have business as an ungraded major.</p>
<p>I understand. I am most likely going to Pitt. I was just making the comparison between two schools that do offer undergrad business and are ranked.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh does have a co-op program, but it appears to be within the engineering division, so recruiting for business majors at co-op recruiting events may be just incidental. However, if you do find a job lasting longer than a summer, many schools would allow for a relatively simple withdrawal and readmission, even in the absence of a formalized co-op program (but be careful if courses for your major are offered only once per year (either fall-only or spring-only)).</p>
<p>Specific to your post, I don’t know that many would consider Northeastern more prestigious than Pitt, even in business (at least in the finance world). </p>
<p>More generally speaking, I think the tradeoff of money vs. prestige (ceteris paribus) comes down to how important the brand name of one’s degree is in their chosen field. </p>
<p>For instance, someone aiming to become a teacher at a public school is probably better off sacrificing prestige for a better financial package (and this is not even factoring in earnings power and debt service ability). On the other hand, if one is dead set on management consulting, choosing a full ride to, say, UMass Amherst rather than pay a larger tuition bill at Amherst College would be shooting them self in the foot.</p>
<p>Of course, the rub is knowing what you want to do post-college so that one can plan adequately… which is, more often than not, too much to ask of high school seniors.</p>
<p>You are majoring in FINANCE and want to know if $80,000 (plus compounded interest, perhaps on some of that) is worth a bit more prestige? That’s pretty funny! </p>