Cost Effective Online MBA Options - Europe
Hi all, I'm someone who has ~4 years of work experience in the USA now but may need to take a hiatus from work for various reasons. I figured a decent way to keep myself busy is do an online MBA (or master's degree, but MBA definitely is what interests me the most). Here's a breakdown of my options that I've looked at so far. I want it from a European institution since I already have US degrees for undergrad and grad school, and my wife is European so we'll be looking to relocate in a few years. I speak Portuguese, Spanish, and have a defensible level of Italian.
These seem to be the most cost effective but also accredited programs that are from a country where I do speak the language or see myself getting more fluent soon enough. They also accept the amount of non-executive working experience I have I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone who has either done these programs or heard much about them.
Note that I also disqualified ESMT Berlin since German friends have told me MBAs aren't really recognized in Germany (and I don't know German), and EADA Business School since I missed the application deadline but also it seems to not have much recognition outside of Barcelona.
1. University of Liverpool
Triple crown accredited and seems to have a really solid alumni network and global name recognition. Cost is around $33,300 USD, with a possible 15% discount from either an executive scholarship or regional scholarship. Also seems like the standard track takes about 2 years, but has flexibility to extend if needed.
2. Porto Business School
Also triple crown accredited, looks like it has a big focus on tech/AI and innovation (I come from the tech field), cost is around $32,800 USD with no scholarships I really qualify for. Looks also like the Católica in Portugal has more prestige with MBAs from the research I've done, but no online option there. Standard track takes 17 months.
3. MIB Trieste School of Management
The Italian option that looks the most cost effective, with a cost of around $32,800 USD but with a possibility of reducing tuition by 20-30% from scholarships. Standard track takes 2 years. However, despite the Triple Crown, the research I've done into Italy seems like MBAs there are very much Bocconi or nothing, so I'd be weary of it being more "wasted" here in terms of reputation, and if I wanted to go with Italy I could do an online MBA with Unimarconi that, while not triple crown accredited, would get me an Italian degree for $6500 USD -> https://uniathena.com/master-of-business-administration
4. University of Bradford
Another UK option with triple crown accreditation, with a cost of $28,700 USD but little to no scholarship options for online MBA students. Also seems like an established UK brand, but reviews have been very spotty to almost non-existent. Seems like a decent option if I want to vary the amount of years it takes (if I get busier later on).
5. The Alternative Route
Do a Micromasters from MIT (Supply Chain Management or Finance?) and RIT (Project Management), go for Scrum Master certifications, perhaps the MBA from UniMarconi for the European flair. All of that will add up to perhaps $9,000 USD, but will require much more organization from my part. If I want to "check the box", perhaps I check a whole lot of boxes and instead show that I like to further my education and knowledge, but still in that general management direction.
I'd appreciate any and all feedback about any of these programs or routes from people who know or have any insight into them, or just general feedback! Hope you have a great day!