Hi,
My son is a DA to the business programs and has narrowed down his undergraduate business school choices to Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. He wants to major in finance (and will choose a co-business-major) and work in international business consulting. He wants to work in the Chicago market when he graduates. He loves Kelley and much prefers Kelley, but says that “Gies is the wise financial decision.” I know he’s leaning towards Gies because he doesn’t want to ask me to spend twice as much for Kelley. Kelley’s admitted student visit and posts on this forum make me feel as if he is making a mistake not attending Kelly. But, is Kelley worth paying twice as much? Will it really help him get a better job? As a parent, I’d love for him to attend his favorite school, but I’m very hesitant to spend an extra $100K total for Kelley. I can afford it, but is it really worth it. Advice?
UIUC Gies:
- Cost after scholarships $24,500/yr
- Able to do lots of short study abroad programs (10-12 day business studies), plus a semester abroad. UIUC makes it very affordable by reducing the tuition cost.
- Likes that Gies has approx. 700 students vs. Kelly’s 2000 students/class
- He’d like to get out of IL and wishes U of I had more non-IL students
- Campus and school spirit not as strong as Kelley and Carlson MN
IU Kelley:
- Cost after scholarships $49K
- Highest ranked business school (Gies/Carlson #19, Kelley #10)
- Loves the campus and school spirit
- Study abroad costs, even for a short 8-10 day business study program ($3K min), are very high
- Worried that the almost 2000 students/class could affect his opportunities/internships
MN Carlson:
- Cost after scholarships $40K (plus he received a $3,500 scholarship for study abroad)
- Loves the campus, but bus school is far from the main campus where he would live
- Ranked close to Gies, but he could attend Gies for $15K less/year
- Likes that Carlson has approx. 700 students vs. Kelly’s 2000 students/class
- Tougher to land a job in Chicago than if he went to Gies or Kelley