I looked up http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/04/index.html and Penn state is ranked higher than Syracuse. However from what I have been able to gather from this forum, Syracuse is ranked higher than Penn state for an online MBA. I know that the BW list for full time MBA only, but was hoping to use that as a basis for selecting my MBA course. I would want a course with some residency requirements...
There is a difference between Penn State-Smeal (FT) and the online iMBA from Penn State. The latter has nothing to do with the former save that they are part of the same general university system. It's akin to University of Maryland-College Park (the prestigious Terrapins) and University of Maryland-University Campus (which has the online programs and is probably average to below average as B&M onlines go). That said, many people would not know the difference between a Penn State online MBA and a Penn State FT Smeal SOM MBA. But if you want to take online MBA classes where you're assured of instruction from the same well-known and sometimes famous profs who teach at the FT program, then you're stuck with schools like Duke, Indiana (but even they are somewhat "tainted" by being mixed with profs from UI-Indianapolis, but nonetheless a prestigious DL program and officially part of the Kelley SOM), Arizona State, Syracuse, UMass, Nebraska, Auburn, UT-Dallas, Florida State, Florida, etc.
Many of the profs teaching at IUPUI also teach at IU Bloomington. I have taken classes at both locations and I honestly feel the better profs were at IUPUI. They actually did what they were teaching during the day ... and well, then taught it that night. You do not get the same type of instruction at IU. Both locations have been Kelley for close to 5 years. I actually finished my last 10 hours at IUPUI - it was a blessing in disguise. As the door was coming to a close at IU (bad recruiting year). I was able to land a very good job in Indy b/c of going to IUPUI (there is more, I will save the board the story). little fauss is correct on his assessment of the subtleties of different schools / degree offerings. However, I am 99% sure the MBA from Kelley notes the same thing, regardless of location (Indy, Bloomington) or method (online, traditional, evening).
Hey, remember, I put "tainted" in quotes. I think the Kelley MBA is one of the top DL offerings by any school in the country.
Thanks little faus and Steve. Actually I am currently doing my MS in IT from UMUC. Not a bad experience till now ( Still have 3/4th of the course to go). Having said that, for my MBA I would want some "name recognition" and residency to meet fellow classmates. So have started doing my "homework" for which place to do my MBA.
Oof! Didn't mean to critiize your alma there. Well, for that matter, my UG school is nondescript. Besides, being the weakest sister in the U of Maryland system is a mite better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, now, isn't it, and it's not likely that you're getting a garbage education. And most of us don't even know the difference between the Terps and UMUC (in fact, I think "University College" has more snap to it than "College Park" on a diploma or resume). I agree with your desire for a little name recognition with the MBA. Best schools for DL with name recognition are: Duke, Purdue, Indiana, ASU, Florida, Florida State, Syracuse, UMass, Nebraska, Auburn, one of the Texas A&M programs, Worcester, Penn State (even though not Smeal, still not junk), Georgia System, Texas System, Michigan-Dearborn or Flint, Wisconsin Whitewater or Platte, Wyoming, Colorado State, Colorado --Colorado Springs or Denver.
