Finding the Best Return on Investment for Your MBA in Washington DC (Part II)
Washington DC is littered with powerful people and exciting opportunities. You could find yourself sitting next to the Fed Chair at the symphony and then running into a Senator at the bar later that evening. So, what better place to start your business education and career than the true seat of power for the entire Western World?
Before investing in an MBA it’s essential to make sure that the school you choose will give you the tools you need to excel in your industry without breaking the bank.
In our first installment to the Washington DC ROI series, we talked about the metro’s schools that give you the greatest bang for your buck. In part two, we delve into even more schools that have topped our list of programs that offer the best return on investment (ROI) for your MBA in DC.
The Best Washington DC Return on Investment (Part II)
Kogod School of Business—American University
With alumni who’ve gone on to positions such as CEO of Goldman Sachs and Executive VP of Turner Classic Movies, it is no secret that Kogod School of Business prepares its students for a range of highly coveted leadership positions. The average starting salary for MBAs is $78,556, which exceeds the $75,166 cost of tuition. Moreover, an average 88 percent MBAs receive job offers within three months of graduation. The full-time MBA is a 49-credit program that lasts for 21 months. Most of the courses are completed during the first year. Kogod’s program includes weekly Business Leadership Luncheons, wherein students can engage in personal conversations with senior executives from companies like Marriott International, IBM, and PayPal.
George Mason University School of Business
At the George Mason University School of Business, students can hone their leadership and management skills while gaining perspective on the intricacies of the ever-changing world of international business. Business school students at Mason can choose to take their classes at either the Arlington or Fairfax campus, both of which are easily accessible from Washington DC. For aspiring MBAs based in Virginia, Maryland, or the capital, this school’s return on investment is undeniable. Residents of the aforementioned areas pay a full tuition of $45,600, and the average salary for graduates is $86,000. Though the tuition is significantly higher for students from outside of Virginia, Maryland, and DC, at $84,072, the significant average salary still makes stellar choice. The 48-credit program involves an optional week-long global residency, offered once students complete the core curriculum. In the past, global residency locations have included places like Singapore, Buenos Aires, and Prague.
Check Out Part 1: Return on Investment – Getting Your Money’s Worth in Washington DC
McDonough School of Business—Georgetown
There is no denying the prestigious reputation of Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, which was recently named by Forbes as one of 35 best business schools in the U.S. Students in this program have the opportunity to experience real-world work problems through the Global Business Experience, during which they consult with an international company. At the Global Business Conference in DC, students then present their projects to an audience of their peers. A Georgetown degree carries enormous weight, and in recent years the average starting salary for MBA grads has leapt to a remarkable $108,000. The Georgetown name, combined with rigorous curriculum, a prime location in the nation’s capital, and the undeniable financial success of its alumni make McDonough’s overall return on investment undeniable.
George Mason School of Business Welcomes New Dean Maury Peiperl
Maury Peiperl, Dean of the George Mason University School of Business since August, is quickly learning and already taking real steps to transform the institution.
New George Mason Real Estate Fund Offers Hands-On Experience for Students
Real Estate students at the George Mason University School of Business have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through the newly established Gunston Hall Realty Ventures LLC.
The Boston vs. Washington DC Full-Time MBA Battle
Choosing the right city for your MBA program can be a bigger choice than it seems: given the connections and opportunities an MBA typically provides, the city where you pursue your degree will likely be the same city where your career begins and grows.
Even if you’ve narrowed down your business school search to the east coast, you’ve still got a number of top metros to choose from. So regardless if you’re looking south to Washington, D.C., or north to Boston, both metros will likely offer a number of benefits for up-and-coming business professionals.
Both D.C. and Boston offer a number of exceptional full-time MBA programs, giving a prospective MBA a lot to think about. Below, we’ll break down some of the biggest differences in location, programs, and job placement for each metro.
Location
As long as you can deal with snow, Boston is a multicultural hub of business that covers a variety of industries, from startups to high tech and the creative economy. Massachusetts is home to 30 Fortune 500 companies, with massive corporations like General Electric and Liberty Insurance Group centered within Boston. However, as the city continues to grow and improve, the cost of living is also climbing, with Boston ranking eight overall as the most expensive city in the United States.
If you are looking to use your business acumen in a government setting, there are few places better to go than the nation’s capital. With fifteen companies making the Fortune 500 list in the Washington DC metro area, there are a number of opportunities for MBAs to put their business skill to work, even outside of government agencies, with companies like Wal-Mart and Exxon Mobile leading the list. However, DC even outranks Boston for cost of living, ranking as the third most expensive city in the United States.
Washington Full-Time MBA Programs
The Washington DC metro has more than 35 higher education institutions with post-bachelor programs for business students. Featuring some of the top ranked MBA programs in the country, many of the DC programs focus on professional integrity and ethics, attempting to reflect its location in the country’s capital. Many of the MBA programs here also focus on placing business within a global context, encouraging students to gain real-world experience outside of the classroom to gain a better understanding of the global business community.
Full-Time MBA Programs in DC Include:
- George Mason University School of Business
- George Washington University School of Business
- Kogod School of Business – American University
- University of Maryland R.H. Smith School of Business
Boston Full-Time MBA Programs
The Boston metro features some of the top ranked and oldest business schools in the world, which focus on placing students within the global economy and encouraging study abroad opportunities that allow students to get hands-on experience in international business. Given Boston’s reputation as a growing business hub, many of the top jobs in the city may require an MBA.
Full-Time MBA Programs in Boston include:
- Sloan School of Management – MIT
- Harvard Business School
- Questrom School of Business – Boston University
- Sawyer Business School – Suffolk University
- Carroll School of Management – Boston College
Cost of MBA Programs
Cost can be an important consideration when choosing a degree program. The average tuition costs of the Washington DC programs mentioned above is roughly $82,090, though the number may be slightly less for local students. In Boston, the range may be slightly higher. Harvard Business School can cost up to $122,000 per year, but other quality programs in the Boston metro can also be found as low as $91,040.
Job Placement and Salary
The cost one is willing to spend on an MBA is often largely determined by the potential salary that can be made after obtaining the degree. Given that both Boston and DC are among the U.S. cities with the highest cost of living, salary may be an important determination in selecting a city to start your career. Thankfully, both cities offer the chance for high earning potential. According to PayScale, Boston MBA graduates can earn anywhere from $53,725 on average to $173,940. In Washington DC, where there is a slightly higher cost of living, salaries can range from $58,402 to $147,715.
Getting Paid: The Highest MBA Salaries in DC
Our nation’s capital is more than just Hollywood for craven people.
Lehigh Business Heading To Forté Foundation Forums
From mid-August and into the fall, the Forté MBA Forums will be held across 12 cities in the U.S., Canada and UK. Representatives from dozens of highly-reputable business schools will be in attendance for the 12-city event, including the Lehigh University College of Business and Economics.
Michael Tarantino, Director of Recruitment and Admissions, will be attending the August 14 event in Washington DC as well as the August 29 Forté MBA Forum in New York City. There, prospective MBA applicants will have a one-on-one chance to learn about the school and its advantageous MBA programs. Lehigh currently offers a full-time One Year MBA and the award-winning part-time Flex MBA, along with multiple dual MBA opportunities.
Forte has offered a more richly detailed account of the upcoming events:
”The format for these events is highly interactive. Each event will consist of two panels, the Alumnae Panel and the Admissions Panel. The Alumnae Panel will include a moderator and four to five panelists from various industries and career stages. The Admissions Panel will include a moderator and three to four senior admissions officers to discuss the MBA application process. Women will have the opportunity to network with school representatives during the entire program.”
On the event, former attendee Madeline Keulen notes, “The Forté Forum event provided the exact insights we were looking for. Most of the schools I was interested in had representatives at the event who could speak to the specifics of their programs, and panels of alumni enhanced the richness of the experience through their personal stories of why they chose to pursue an MBA. I have a much better sense of where I’d fit best.”
The August 14 event will be held at the Renaissance DC Downtown Hotel at 999 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 and the August 29 forum will be held at New York I, Goldman, Sachs & Co., 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282.
For more information on the events and the many other upcoming Forté MBA Forums, visit the official Forté website.
Check out more of Lehigh University’s upcoming events here.
