I am finishing my regents bachelor's of arts degree in the spring. I was getting a degree in business admin and had to move across the country 4 classes shy of completion, so rather than take the time to do a business admin degree (which would have required close to 40 credits as a transfer) I am getting an RBA instead.
So... this leaves me with two choices. Try to market my RBA and just say hey, I know the degree is in this, but as you can see my coursework is business OR get an MBA.
My biggest issue with the MBA is that I already have $30K in undergrad loans to repay. I need to take an online program and I am looking at program's such as Portland State and they are all in the $30ish K range.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get an MBA for cheaper?? The only thing I can think of is getting a job with tuition benefits, but I really don't want to work and go to school. I hate the idea of spending so much more money on my education but on the other hand, if I am going to invest 3 decades of my life on a career, then I should probably bite the bullet and get the MBA.
Can I get some thoughts on this? Especially any creative financing ideas!
All the online master's programs I have seen are similar cost too. But, I would look hard at every local school - even ones up to 2 hrs away. We have one university about 2 hrs away that does "mostly distance" and "all distance" learning but costs about 1/4 of what the online places do. I was looking there for my master's in library media studies and it literally would have cost $12k instead of $30-40k.
It HAS to be an online program because of my husband's job. We move every 1-3 years with his job and we have no idea when/where we move. So, no time to establish residency and complete a degree.
Also, my gpa is horrible. It just flat out is. I think I will be under a 3.0 when I graduate, probably a 2.9. It is really frustrating. I AM smart, I have just had other stuff going on and had to put school second, third, or fourth a lot. I do have some impressive extra stuff I can add to a grad app, and I can hopefully do really well on my gmat... but not sure that I could get any scholarships at this point. Maybe internships...
The moving thing is really tough. But given your GPA, I think the job with tuition benefits might be your best option. I realize it's a really tough way to get things done, but my friends who have done it that way say that it *is* really helpful having the work experience to go with the class theory. Also, there are almost always incentives related to finishing that degree (i.e., a bonus or a pay increase).
I know for me getting someone else to cover the cost of tuition is crucial to my going back to school for my MA. In my case, I'll (hopefully) be getting the school to do that. But a MA is spendy.
As I was reading more about psu's program (Iam really interested in their mba+ program which is like a crunchy mba program) they require 2 years of work experience. I am sure I could get the year I ran my own business to count, but that would only be one. So... I guess I will need to get a job. I really don't see how I can find a job that is going to have tution reimbursement though when I can't commit. Every tuition reimbursement I have seen requires you to stay with the company for X amount of time, which I could not do. In fact, I really don't even see how I can get any job with this moving around. I may just pay for it when it really comes down to it. Try and get my 1-2 years of professional experience in somehow. Part of me says... eh just stay home. LOL
Can I peek in here for a second? If yes, read on, if no, ignore
What do you want to do for a career and how much do you want to work? If you want a full-time career, I absolutely believe that an MBA is an excellent bang for your education buck. Yes, it is generally expensive, but I think it absolutely increases your earning potential whereby it is very worth it.
Do you have any idea when you might move again? And, aren't most MBA programs considered professional degrees and thus not really eligible for in-state tuition reduction? It might not really matter whether you have residency or not, but I'd really encourage you to find a program that isn't 100% online. I think one of the things to gain from an MBA program are the contacts.
__________________
Jonathan
Louisburg Cider Mill
October 2009
"Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
Jesus said until him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And, the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments have all the law and the prophets."
there is a big difference in tuition at the MBA programs I have looked at between instate v out of state. So yes, it is a big factor. I agree Rebecca which is part of the reason I am so in love with Portland State's program PSU GBP :: MBA+ . It is online however, you are required to attend an intense, in person session 4 times a year. So, it allows you to get that face time. I did most of my undergrad at Portland State so that is already familiar turf for me. Plus, I have family/friends I could stay with there. I never had a vision of being a stay at home mom for any length of time. As the cards have fallen, that is what I have been doing the past 3 years, but it isn't my life long dream to be a stay at home mom. I do really want a career, not a job, but a full fledged career, and so it makes sense to get the MBA even if I am paying for it. My husband's job definitely makes things more difficult however, ahem, we are compensated for that (basically, they pay us enough extra money, it is LIKE I have a job). So, my husband is not giving up his job by any means, we LOVE his employer!!! However, what I am really doing now is laying groundwork for the rest of my life, it isn't say, I want to have opportunities when the time is right.
Oh good! So, what is my plan? LOL I am going to wait and go work for a year or two? And I am getting a job by... hm... I need to start volunteering I think.
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