Choice Questions

You might want to ask about the depth of the alumni pool and what kinds of networking opportunities are provided with alums while you are a student. What kind of career counseling and networking resources will be available to you after you graduate?

7. Does the program align with my values?

Nearly all MBA programs offer at least a course in business ethics, but some programs have ethical management and business practices built right into their missions. This is particularly true of programs based in religiously affiliated universities. Michael Price, a director of admissions at Bethel University, alluded to a “framework of Christian values,” adding that “we don’t require students to be Christian, just to be open to the values that might inform ethical decision-making.”

Steve Zitnick of Augsburg College cites his school’s strong Lutheran tradition of vocation, community service, and inherent intellectual freedom, while Ann Shields, the Twin Cities recruiter for the MBA program at the Catholic St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, mentioned a commitment to environmental concerns that reflects a religious view of stewardship of the earth.

8. Can I afford it? Will I see a return on my investment?

Tuition costs at metro area MBA programs range widely. Metro State comes in the most affordable, charging $262 per credit.  In keeping with the Catholic scholarly tradition to quality, low-cost education, the Saint Mary’s University MBA program only charges $395 per credit, compared to $605 a credit at Capella and $945 a credit for Minnesota residents at the Carlson School. You should also factor in the cost of books, computer software, commuting costs, and student fees. All programs offer financial aid packages, and some offer scholarships and fellowships based on academic merit. Some companies will partially and even fully reimburse employees for tuition costs.

As you consider the cost of your MBA program, it can be useful to take the long view. Perhaps the networks you develop during the program will alone be worth the investment of time and money. Will you make enough money after the MBA to pay off debt incurred during the program? What are your chances of being hired or promoted? Bethel’s MBA program, which was established in 2005, has already seen many of its first students promoted, according to Price. Ninety-seven percent of Carlson School graduates are employed within three months.

The good news overall is that MBA graduates seem happy with their experience and the results. Richard Montauk, the author of How to Get into the Top MBA Programs, wrote that “most people feel they lived life more intensely at business school, met the most interesting people they’ve ever known, and formed their closest friendships there,” adding that “almost no one who attends a top program ends up regretting the experience.”