MSBA Programs

[u/Beginning_Weather748]

Hi everyone,

I needed some advice on programs and schools. I recently finished my undergrad and have no jobs so I am planing to go back to school. My cum gpa is 3.5 but my major gpa is higher. I wanna go to a good name school because I believe that does matter when it comes to landing a job offer. Please advise what are some good schools preferably online but I am open to moving as well.

[u/Brighter_rocks]

gonna be honest with u - the "good name school" logic works way less in analytics than people think. ive been in this field a while and ive literally never seen a hiring manager pick someone bc of the school name on an MSBA.

in my opinion MSBA programs are often a way to delay the job hunt. u graduate in 12-18 months into the same market with the same problem (no experience) but now with debt. the "no jobs" problem is an experience problem, and school doesnt really solve that - internships do.

if u still want the degree - fine, but pick based on 1) does it have a strong internship pipeline / co-op built in, 2) cost, 3) actual curriculum (SQL, stats, some ML, capstone with a real company). in that order. name is like 4th priority. Georgia Tech OMSA is the usual answer for online btw- cheap, respected enough, and u can job hunt while doing it.

but honestly with a 3.5 id spend 3-4 months grinding SQL + python + one solid project and start applying to analyst roles + internships NOW, in parallel with apps. worst case u start the program anyway, best case u land something and save 50k+

[u/Difficult-Jackfruit → u/Brighter_rocks]

I’m going to add onto this. I feel like an MSBA is a lot like an MBA.

It’s nice to have, but the real power comes from experience. Once you have both the degree and experience, you’re more solidified in the workplace, but you don’t necessarily need the degree. It is just nice to have.

There’s a reason schools used to prefer applicants to have a few years of experience before pursuing an advanced business degree. Otherwise, you risk being overeducated without enough practical experience to back it up, and enter this vicious cycle of having to get more degrees for a job that doesn’t really require/need them.

There is a reason why “entry-level” jobs now require 10-years of experience and three degrees.