Which is the best business/math/data college and career path?

CMA22
Wed, 12 Jan 2022 18:22:02 +0000
Business Majors

My D22 has an interest in business, more specifically in accounting or data analytics and possibly supply chain management.

She likes math and statistics, but with practical application, not the highly theoretical.

At first, she considered majoring in applied math or stats, but realized a lot of the programs are geared toward applications in engineering and computer science. She would be more interested in statistical modeling/data science for business, government, or nonprofits. She likes to solve problems but she doesn’t LOVE programming.

When preparing her applications, she ultimately decided to pursue undergrad degrees in business/accounting at most schools, rather than math.

Here are three options she is now considering and her non-business-major parents would like advice on the smartest path in terms of landing a job in her areas of interest and getting the most bang for educational buck:

1. Enroll in a 3+1 program in Accounting, which would give her a Master’s in Accounting and qualify her to take the CPA exam after 4 years. Out-of-state tuition with decent merit.

I have read on several threads here that it is better to work after undergrad for a few years, THEN go get your MBA if you want to pursue a business career. But she could still do that even if she has the accounting master’s first, right?

2. Major in business administration at a top 20 undergrad business school (in-state tuition), minor in statistics, get a job, and return for MBA down the road.

3. Major in math and economics at a private small liberal arts college, then ??? I feel like the LAC sets her up to go straight to grad school, so it could be harder to land a job, but I guess the best path would be to get some stats-oriented job and then seek an MBA after a few years. This is the spendiest option, but some employers might like the critical thinking skills/breadth of a liberal arts education and it could provide versatility if she changes her mind on career path.

I dunno. Reactions? Thoughts? Advice? Experience?

7 posts - 5 participants