Hi everyone. I have been accepted into the SMU(Southern Methodist University) in Dallas, Texas and UNT(University if North Texas) in Denton, Texas MBA programs. I am deciding on which school to accept the offer from. I am planning to major in the Business Analytics and Finance concentrations. Looking at working as a Business or Financial Analyst.
I won’t go into debt for either school. The difference would be how much money I will come out with in my pocket. The difference would be $14,000 that I wouldn’t get if I go to SMU.
SMU is a higher ranked school and program and is located in Dallas where I plan to live. Would an MBA from SMU necessarily open larger doors for me than getting it from UNT when looking for jobs ?
I appreciate your thoughts.
SMU is better known nationally, but business analytics & finance are great concentrations as both are in demand.
Most important for you is to investigate placement data from each MBA program. Request information about internship placements as well as post graduate employment statistics. Examine the type of employers where most of a particular school’s graduates are placed.
I am unfamiliar with Univ. of North Texas MBA program, but some schools have special programs designed for certain employers. For example, the online University of Phoenix places a high number of graduates with one of the nation’s major banks. I suspect that it is a program designed in connection with the employer to fill a need just like some employers develop business data analytics programs with certain universities.
Also important regarding selection of an MBA program is where you have been school & work, and where you want to go career wise.
Additionally, better to have two different schools’ alumni network & placement office working for you. So if you graduated from UNT undergraduate school, then SMU may be the better option.
Also, do you want to remain in the same region after completing your MBA ? If so, then it may be a closer call as local employers should be familiar with & recruit at both schools.
In short, investigate each school’s placement in light of your desired career plans.
SMU is stronger in your field of interest and has better job prospects, especially if you want to work in the Dallas area.
Definitely SMU. It is a nationally ranked university, and is well-respected in Dallas. You’ll have a great alumni network, and you will probably also get a better education there.