I noticed that both schools offer an online MBA, both are AACSB accredited, but Lowell is 7 credits less and about 10K cheaper. I know Amherst is the flagship campus and considered more prestigious, but not top tier. Does anyone think it's worth the extra money for someone who does not live in New England? Would Amherst open up any more doors? I can't imagine an employer brushing aside a resume because it says Lowell and not Amherst. Am I wrong?
I agree with you. I believe they both have similar utility, especially as an online degree and outside of the NE. If they were the same price, it would be an easier decision. This is all assuming you have a business undergrad less than 5 years old and don't need to take the six 8-week foundations courses for Lowell. Links: UMASS-Lowell UMASS-Amherst
Personally, I would go for UMass-Amherst and I say that as a UMass-Lowell graduate. Isenberg (UMass-Amherst's B-school) may not be top tier, but it is certainly more prestigious than UMass-Lowell. I only went to the Lowell campus twice; once because they needed to see my original DD-214 and the other to get my diploma. To say I wasn't impressed would be an understatement; the facilities are fine, but it looks like someone dumped a university into the middle of a ghetto with a raging river next to it.
I say save the $10,000. Outside of Massachusetts, nobody is going to know the difference between the two campuses, and I say that as someone who has worked in Massachusetts. Speaking of campuses in the ghetto, there are two that come to mind: Rutgers in Camden, NJ (I wouldn't walk that area at night...or during the day, for that matter) and RPI in Troy, NY (the campus is nice, but Troy is affectionately known in the Albany area as "Troylet".)
Save the $10k...the decision isn't even close in my mind. Most employers will want to know if you have an accredited degree, any inquiry beyond that is uncommon. For the few employers that actually may look closer at your resume, the vast majority will see "UMass" and stop there. It just doesn't matter. As far as being in a ghetto. lots of universites are in suspect areas for the same reasons as are military bases and hospitals...the land is inexpensive. University of Baltimore is walking distance from drug and prostitute central. University of Maryland used to be in a decent are, but like the rest of Prince george's County, College Park has greatly deteriorated. Widener University is in a ghetto. Most of the universities in Washington, DC are either in ghettos or are directly adjacent to them. James Madison University is in the middle of cow-town USA. Pug
