KnowledgeKick

I currently work in the NYC/Pilly Tri-State area. I would also consider living in Florida, which is why I included 2 Florida schools. Please comment on where they would have the most influence by taking into account alumns, etc. My undergrad degree was from Rutgers in Finance (only 3.2 GPA). The cost of attendance is important to me as well.

I have an interest in Investment Banking but would be open to all other positions in the Finance Industry. Please only rank and comment on these schools (not Wharton, HSB, other top schools, etc.).

-Rutgers University $25k-$30k
-Penn State University $50k-$55k
-Syracuse University $65k-$70k
-University of Massachusetts (UMass) $25k-$30k
-Florida State University $25k-$30k
-University of Florida $45k-$50k

P.S. Do you think it's better to get your MBA from a different school than Undergrad? Do employers like that? Should I downgrade Rutgers in my choices because I went there for my B.S.?

kkuo12887

Rutgers has the advantage of being close to NYC. Aside from that, I'm not sure it's leagues better or worse than the other b-schools you mentioned.

KnowledgeKick

Bump please.

KnowledgeKick

Florida isn't a definite. I just like to keep my options open. Every winter I wish I was somewhere sunny. For now, I'm in the NYC area and I'm just trying to capitalize on my (limited) options.

I'm leaning toward UMass being #1 on my list. I say this because: I already went to Rutgers, so I can tap that alumni stream and still go somewhere else who has alumni too. UMass is less than half the price of PSU or Syracuse. People have mentioned that UMass is represented to a degree on Wall Street. Finally, if I DO move to Florida, or somewhere similar, the UMass degree will still hold some esteem because it is from a school in the northeast.

UF and FSU are basically tied for second at this point. UF seems slightly better, but FSU is half the price.

Can anyone agree with my thinking here or chime in with their opinions?

KnowledgeKick

Can anyone give me some insight? Please?

limabeans

Since you want to stay in finance, I suggest you stay with Rutger's. Ay least it's in the tristate area. If not, then consider other alternatives. I'm not a fan of Fl grad schools, but I honestly don't know them. I'd venture to guess that Fl isn't big on finding a job later, just b/c I think of it as a retirement state. To figure out what you're looking for, consider alums or alum services. How is their placement?

So why would you consider PSU? Or MassU? Why not UConn? Or a CUNY? Since costs are an issue, I'd say stay away from privates, like SU.

FutureVpFinance

Avoid Penn State like the plague