Best Minnesota MBA Schools and Programs

Search Schools in Your Area
Once you choose your MBA concentration do a search of schools in proximity to your school or work. Even if you plan to enroll in online classes only, it’s a good idea to have the school within driving distance just in case you need to use the facilities for meetings or take a class on campus. Some hybrid programs require you to visit campus once or twice a year for lectures or events. Take notes as you research each school and keep them in a file or folder on your computer so you can refer to the information if you need to. If you’re considering more than a few schools, you might want to make a table of pros and cons so you can easily cross reference the information when making your choice.

Distance isn’t the only factor you should look for. Each person has different life circumstances, so make a list of what is important for your personal success. Look at the classes required for each program within your chosen concentration and make sure they’re what you want to learn. Check to verify the program will accept your undergrad degree, and if you plan to work in a specialized field, such as healthcare, look for elective courses that will mesh well with your long-term plans.

Search Programs Offering MBA Majors

Compare Student Graduation and Employment Data
All schools put their best face forward when it comes to enrolling new students, so make sure you look a little deeper so you know the degree will get you where you want to go. Check the enrollment rates against the graduation rates; if there’s a high dropout rate it may be a warning flag. Look for statistics on post-grad employment and make sure the employment areas are agreeable to your long-term plans.

Look for successful graduates of the program and send them a quick email asking what they liked best and least about the program. Contact current students and ask if they’re satisfied with the coursework, scheduling, and professors.

Ask your coworkers for their opinions of the school and MBA program and if they know anyone who you can talk to about the degree. Remember, you’re going to invest a lot of time and money into your education and your questions now can be very valuable in the long run.

Estimate the Cost of the Program
Check out the financial aid and tuition department of your short list of schools. Look for extra fees besides tuition so you have a full picture of the costs. For example, at the University of Minnesota full-time MBA tuition is listed as $38,208 but there are extra costs such as books and service fees that add over $12,000 to that amount. If you plan to live on campus instead of using the online program, you can expect to pay an additional $14,000 per year. You’ll also need to calculate travel expenses and possibly family expenses such as daycare, so there are invisible expenses as well.

Online tuition is usually computed by semester hour. For example, in 2018 an online MBA program is $1535 per credit hour. Again, there are added expenses such as fees, books and course materials you’ll need to add to get a more accurate estimate of the total cost. While an online program won’t require travel expenses, you’ll have to have the self-discipline and available time to do the coursework, so you may need to use a daycare service in order to have the time needed for your studies.

Compare the Classes with your Schedule
Just because an MBA program and concentration meet your long-term requirements doesn’t mean it’s doable, especially if you’re working full-time. Check the days and times of the classes you’ll need to take and make sure they coincide with your work and life schedule. If they don’t, check with your employer and see if there is an option that will enable you to attend that class or classes around your work schedule.

Inquire with the school in regard to the class times for future semesters. Ask if the days and time slots are fairly consistent or if they are different every year. While the school won’t be able to guarantee there will be no changes, they can tell you if it’s common or not so you can make tentative plans for the future semesters.

Look for Tuition Help Through Businesses or Your Employer
If you’re currently employed, ask your employer if they cover tuition for employees who are working on their graduate degree. Many companies encourage their workforce to continue their education, so you may be eligible for tuition reimbursement as well as time allowed for classes. If you’re not employed check with local businesses to see if they sponsor graduate students.

If you have a dream job in mind check with that company and see if they have an education program in effect. They may have a sponsorship plan that pays for part or all your tuition in return for a specific employment agreement during and after your graduate work.

As you work through the process of choosing and enrolling in your MBA program, remember to take notes and write down your questions. It will not only make the admissions process easier it will give you a useful habit once you begin your studies.