MBA vs MSF vs MBA/MSF at NEU

Hi guys! I recently had a thread which helped me decide which schools to go for my Masters. Now that I decided NEU, I'm not sure which degree will suite the best for me. I figured someone with more experience can help and of course any type of input are greatly appreciated. The reason why I chose NEU is because it's AACSB accredited, I get a 25% discount (double husky program), it's 100% online and GMAT is waived with 5 years experience (less stress for me). These are my options:

MS Finance
-Cost ($1250 x 30 credits = $37,500 - 25% = approx $28,000)

MBA
-Cost ($1250 x 50 credits = $62,500 - 25% = approx $47,000)

MBA/MSF
-Cost ($1250 x 62 credits = $77,500 - 25% = approx $58,000)

When I get my BS (Finance & Accounting management) from NEU (CPS) in a couple of months, I plan to find a budget analyst position (or similar) or something corporate finance and move up from there. Now which do you think is the best degree for me? I'm leaning towards MS Finance because it costs less, and I'll be able to obtain it faster. I would consider the MBA or the MBA/MSF but the cost and time is holding me back. My current employer does not really offer much as far as tuition reimbursement so I'm on my own until I find a new one but that's not really a gaurantee that the new employer will offer that as well.

However, if the MBA or the MBA/MSF dual degree is worth it in the long run, and will give me the assurance that I won't be paying for my student loan 'till I'm 35 (I'm only 24) because my new salary after the degree will pretty much cover it, I'm willing to consider.

Thoughts?

 

Another thing to think of:

The MS in Finance would open doors teaching college finance courses. Also, if you want, you could pursue a PhD in Finance and make 6 figures as a full-time prof.

 

62 views and 1 reply? :thumbsdown:

Stefan- Thanks for the tip! I didn't know that....

 

The MBA has the flexibility of being more valuable if you change careers to something in business other then finance. You are young and this is more common than you might think. Hard to say if it is worth the cost though.

I would be really tempted to also get the MS if I did the MBA, although realistically, I don't know how much it will help you above the MBA.

I realize you want online, but I would urge you to look at UCONN's part time MBA because I think it is close to you, it is about 10K cheaper, it is as good of a school, and I think there is some benefit to doing an MBA in person (both in learning outcomes and connections). I would have a tough time shelling out 50K (much less 62K) of my own money for an online MBA that did not really stand out in some way (very highly ranked, unique, etc). Also, UMASS has on online MBA that is quite a bit cheaper and still local and reputable. I realize Northeastern is ranked a little higher in most respects, but I don't know how much of a difference that will make and you will save 25K.

 

That's possible, but very difficult to do these days.

 

I will echo what Mark said and urge you to consider some other programs. I don't see NEU's program being worth what they are charging. I think UMass-Amherst would serve you just as well as and costs significantly less. I know NEU is a "tier 1" school, but their b-school is no more highly regarded than the b school at Amherst.
I heard the following statement several times in one form or another before and during my time in business school; essentially there are three tiers of b-schools, the top 20 programs, the programs ranked 21-50 and then everybody else. Essentially, once you get outside of the top 20 programs, and certainly outside of the top 50, all programs are perceived as being essentially equivalent. What I am getting at is you should look at some other programs that cost less money.

 

MBA/MSF :banana::banana::banana::banana:

 

Okay, well I was misinformed by NEU. Appearantly the online programs are not eligible for the "double husky program". Meaning the cost is EVEN MORE than what I anticipated :scared1: I checked UMASS-Amherst and the cost is definitely appealing... But for now, I guess I'm back again to square 1 =(