Rochester Institute of Technology Online EMBA?

I would look at the Univerrsity of Florida. They are about $50K, AACSB, but no residency.
If you want to spend big money look at Thunderbird.

 

Carnegie Mellon (Tepper):
FlexMBA (combination of online, on-site MBA): $69K
FlexMBA Online MBA : Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon

 

Thanks Folks - I agree (Randell) about U of FL - great program, but it looks like a 2 year commitment, which I was hoping to avoid. Willing to do it for the right program though, so we'll see.

Major56, Carnegie Mellon is awesome, and is somewhat local for me (I'm from central PA), so that would be a huge plus, but it's a 3 year commitment... I just can't wrap my mind around such a huge time investment.

I seem to gather that the consensus among those of you who have trodden this [MBA] path already, is that RIT is not worth the price tag. Therefore, despite my continued interest in the program, I'm going to seriously consider cheaper alternatives, and take a closer look at some of the other similar programs.

Good feedback so far - thanks again.

 

I'd look at UNC-Chapel Hill. Their EMBA has three delivery formats and if you don't qualify for that they also offer an online standard MBA. Executive MBA Program - EMBA Program - UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Best of luck.

 

But....

the networking opportunities from CMU would offset any "time disadvantage." If money is not an object - and based on your original post, you could swing the cash....I'd look HARD into this.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what rank will you be leaving the Army at?

Shawn

 

I've got to agree with Shawn here. If you were going full-time it would be another story, but as it is a part-time program it's not as if you're giving up a year's salary to attend. In the grand scheme of things, three years is a relatively small time commitment.

 

My thoughts too Shawn...

 

OK fair points - I'll take a second look at CMU.

Shawn I'm an E6 and will most likely be the same when I leave... Probably pick up promotable status but that's about it.

 

If price is not a deal killer … again Carnegie Mellon could be a serious consideration.

There have been several promising ideas /suggestions per your inquiry; nonetheless and ultimately per your personal /professional needs—it will be your call. That said and reviewing your initial posting … Ohio University (Fisher) would appear to meet essentially all your criteria:

1. Brand name
2. AACSB
3. Residencies /networking opportunity
4. Three non-traditional MBA option tracks: 1) MBA Online (2-years; requires some residencies) and/or hybrid cohort 2) EMBA (17-months) or 3) Working Professional MBA-PMBA (3-years)
5. No GMAT (exception: PMBA; however, GMAT waiver w/undergraduate 3.4 GPA and another graduate degree)
6. Competitive tuition (online MBA): total program tuition is $35,105 (in state)/$35,770 (out-of-state), including fees and books. The tuition cost covers the cost per credit hour, the cost of your books and course materials, as well as hotel and most meals for your campus workshop(s).

PMBA: $41,695 (non-resident) / $25,350 (Ohio resident)—program length: 3-years

7. Residencies (online MBA): All MBA candidates are required to attend one on-campus, weekend-long (Friday afternoon-Sunday) Professional Development Workshop. Students also have the option to participate in two more workshops throughout the program, but those are not required.
8. Industry experience: must have a minimum of 2 to 5 years of professional work experience.

 

Washington University in St. Louis (Olin): EMBA
No GMAT

Format
•Program begins in April and September
•Classes meet monthly on Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Knight Center
•Program length is 20 months

* The program is available in St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver or Shanghai.

"Cost for the 20-month program for executive students entering Class 44 in April 2014 is $108,500. Meals, textbooks, tutoring assistance, study materials, parking, and lodging for the residencies are included in the tuition."
Olin Business School | Executive MBA Programs

 

Major56 - very cool; it almost seems like every time you post I discover a new and intriguing program to check out. I'm very much interested in the Ohio University PMBA - I met a guy tonight who did his undergrad there at the Athens campus, and he loved it. Apparently the school is like the best thing since sliced bread (according to the excited alum I met). The program looks extremely cool though.

In other news - I spoke with an admissions guy from Washington State University - they discount tuition for active military to about $658 per credit, and the Executive MBA takes about 18 months to complete, in a cohort format. There are no residencies, but the program is well ranked, and no GMAT is required. I don't like the idea of no residencies, but I will probably look into that program as well. Thoughts?

 

For the money and a brand name b-school; the Ohio (Fisher) MBA could be a hard deal to trump. The Olin (Washington University-St. Louis) program is ranked higher, nonetheless, there's a sizeable gap in program costs among the two. I believe both Ohio U. and Washington U. St. Louis as well discount to active duty military personnel.

Nothing against the Washington State MBA; though IMO, the two aforementioned would be considered by most superior in name recognition.

 

Major56 -
I realized today that you and I (at least in the last few posts) are talking about two different Ohio schools - I think you are speaking about Ohio State, whereas I've been looking at Ohio U; it's almost humorous - I was getting confused about the "3 year PMBA" you mentioned, but today I finally realized what you're talking about, and looked up the FISHER school's programs at OSU. Haha - glad I cleared that one up. That being said, the OSU EMBA looks like something I'd be interested in, if qualified; the 3 year program looks like too long of a time commitment though.

So far I'm juggling the ideas of Ohio U, RIT, Cleveland State, and Scranton. Going to try for Cornell-Queens but my chances are pretty slim so I don't think it's actually on the table. Tepper would be ideal, but again, really long time commitment. Purdue is still a very slim possibility - also Pepperdine, but I think there were some issues with Pepperdine (not recalling them at the moment).

Still shopping...

 

There are so many available for consideration...

 

Can you folks take a look at Virginia Tech's program: Overview | Executive MBA | Virginia Tech and let me know what you think?

It looks very similar to the RIT program, except you meet every other Friday & Saturday. Also, because it's a public college in VA, and because I live in VA (in-state student), I think the post-9/11 GI bill would cover 100% of tuition, leaving me with just the travel/technology fees. Can anyone speak to the reputation of VA Tech? The only thing I've ever heard of them was in regards to the shooting a few years ago. Thanks.

 

VT is a solid school, primarily for engineering. I don't know much about their business school. I'm sure it's a good school inside the university, it just gets overshadowed because UVA has McIntyre at the undergraduate level and Darden at the graduate level, which are both top-10 programs nationally. VT has a very strong alumni network and if you get in-state tuition that might be your best bet.

If you're interested in in-state tuition George Mason's PMBA might be another consideration. It can be finished in 23 months. Professional MBA Program | George Mason

 

I actually was considering Pepperdine myself and attended a Pepperdine FEMBA infosession. Their FEMBA and Online MBA is right around 80K. And their EMBA is around 110 K and is less than 20 months to complete I think. I know a full time MBA alum (former supplier of mine) and an EMBA alum (former manager of mine). Both rave about the programs and I was going to use either of them as an alum referral for a tuition discount which is $2,500...not much but better than nothing. However, strangely they don't accept the alum referral discount for the Online MBA. BTW both of my contacts discouraged me from the online MBA, go figure. Both stressed to me that MBA's were more about networking not so much the content. In fact one of them even told me in hindsight he regretted not applying to USC because of the networking aspect.

Also here's a list of EMBA's for under 50 K. The list on the bottom shows the tuition and the time for completion. This article is from 2011 but the info should be pretty accurate still.

Executive MBAs for under $50,000? Yes, they exist. - Fortune Management

 

Steve - I admit it's a bit caveish (guy living in a cave?) of me to not know more about VA Tech, but I'll use the excuse that I've only been in DC for a year and a half.... however, good to hear they have a solid reputation/network here in DC. Right now they're probably my number one contender behind Cornell (still waiting on the resume pre-assessment). I see you're also a GW alum - what do you think about GW's EMBA/MBA program? I looked into it and was initially interested until I noticed the price tag: 99k is way too steep for a MBA that's not from one of the top-tier b-schools.

AUTiger - thanks for the feedback. I agree VA Tech probably does get overshadowed by Darden, which also offers a great EMBA program; I'd consider them, but I don't have the time or the resources to pour the amount of academic/GMAT prep that would be required to contend for a slot there. George Mason is another school I'm considering - a reputed regional school with in-state tuition, offering a 16 month EMBA. I'd have to take the GMAT, but I think I could swing admission without too much prep/study time. We'll see - thus far, VA Tech looks like one of my top options, but I'm not sure if GMU might look better on a resume.

Taylor - good feedback as well. I think at the end of the day, Pepperdine is simply too pricey considering their ranking - I'd only be willing to descend that far into debt for a name like Cornell or UVA or UNC on my resume; I don't think I'd do it for Pepperdine. That being said, I've seen the under 50k article you linked to; very cool - definitely something I'm going to need if I opt for a program outside VA (which could very likely happen, considering my initial and continued interest in RIT).

Good thoughts so far - I heard from VA Tech today and they offered to let me come audit a class either tomorrow or on the 8th of June. I'm going to call them back and ask about my chances of admission based on the resume review before I spend a Saturday afternoon in class. We'll see how it goes.

Virginia Commonwealth University also offers a similar EMBA program - has anyone heard good things about them?