<p>Hypothetically speaking, assume that you are absolutely certain that you either wish to pursue a doctorate in financial economics or a MBA in finance. Considering ONLY their abilities to place you in (1) and prepare you for (2) a top-tier graduate program in either the above mentioned concentrations, as well as their costs of attendance (3) and career placement (4), which schools (in order of preference) would you choose for undergrad if you paid one half (in loans) and your parents the other half of COA, and why?
A) Northwestern (Econ, COA~$51,720)
B) Georgetown (Finance or Econ, COA~$53,800)
C) University of Ill-Urbana-Champaign (Econ, COA~$24,714, instate)
D) Indiana U-Bloomington-Kelley Bschool (Finance, COA~$36,342 out of state)</p>
<p>P.S. I know there are other important factors than these 4, but I was most interested in your opinions on this particular scenario. Thanks for your advice, it may play a significant factor in my future.</p>
<p>NW would probably net you the most success, assuming that your ugrad GPA isn't too much lower than it would be at UIUC. On the other hand, NW is super expensive. $30k more per year. Are you and your parents willing to take a $120k hit? Plus, let's face it, you'll like to tell everyone you went to NW.</p>
<p>UIUC isn't nearly as prestigious as NW, but its business program isn't anything to balk at. Your GPA will probably be higher because the coursework is naturally a little more lax, but you won't have the NW effect to ride on when getting a job (it matters). The biggest plus is that you'll still be at least going to a top-tier college, and at a pretty good price. You won't have to feel guilty about this one.</p>
<p>IU barely ranks higher than UIUC in Business, but the school doesn't have the brand-name recognition that UIUC has in general. Plus, it's expensive. I would avoid this one.</p>
<p>GTown is too expensive, and it's not as good in NW, in general or in business. Plus, I assume you'd have to move out of IL (you said you got in-state to UIUC), and live in the ghetto (GTown is in the ghetto).</p>
<p>Oh wait; did you get into the College of Business at UIUC? If not, then go to NW. You won't even have UIUC's Business Career Services working for you (which is the best part about UIUC Biz).</p>
<p>Even though I will be attending UIUC this fall, I'll have to say that a Northwestern or Georgetown Econ degree may get you job oportunites than a UIUC econ degree.
However, were you in the b-school this would be different.</p>