Kelley Direct ($) vs UIUC Gies
Both programs come up fairly often here among online/PT options, curious what others think now that I’ve been accepted into both.
Background:
- Late 30’s parent of a 3 y/o
- Working in higher ed and largely plan to stay in higher ed
- Live in Chicago area earning $80k working remotely
- Want the MBA as leverage/flexibility to move into a leadership role with my next employer (promotion is unlikely in my current remote role)
- Employer ed support is proportional to per-credit price (meaning pricey programs get steeper discounts)
Program cost:
- Gies: 3 years @ $18k total, w/ employer assistance ($21k if compressed into 2 years)
- Kelley Direct: 2 years @ $43k total,** **w/ $30k scholarship + assistance ($31k if stretched across 3 years)
My thoughts:
- Gies still has the edge on affordability, though that gap is much smaller.
- Gies will be less of a weekly time commitment and offer more flexibility in terms of staggering coursework. Very valuable with a young child.
- I’ve met multiple Gies alums from similar backgrounds who loved the program.
- Kelley will be more rigorous and offers more electives/tracks
- Kelley has far more career services
- Kelley’s in-person components are an asset
- In general, I do think I need more of a “leveling up” experience than a “check the box” experience
- I might also apply to Olin’s Flex program, which is be priced similar to Kelley and offers a smaller cohort that usually includes a sizable presence of people from education backgrounds