McCombs vs. Kenan-Flagler vs. Marshall - Best for RE Finance?

If accepted at all three of these MBA programs, which would you choose? Definitely considering cost of living, careers post grad, and the education itself +network among other aspects. I would like to stay in the southwest (CA,AZ,TX) upon graduation and would be targeting a position with a large development firm such as Hines/Related/Tishman etc..

2014 US News Ranks:
15 - McCombs (Texas)
19 - Kenan-Flagler (UNC)
27 - Marshall (USC)

Thanks in advance.

4 Comments
 

I know this may be easier said than done, but choose a school based on where you foresee yourself spending the majority of your career. A huge part of an MBA is being able to utilize the Alumni network and these are obviously strongest in the regions nearest the university.

McCombs seems like a great program and the Texas real estate markets (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio) are doing awesome and projected to do very well over the next 10 years (Houston could slow a bit b/c of oil). The UT alumni network is large, very close knit, and very powerful throughout the southwest.

 

Either would be good both schools lead to good RE jobs. I will say though there will probably be more students to compete with at Kenan-Flagler (# of students interested in RE careers) than McCombs for what that's worth.

 

as much as i love to dismiss US News rankings, i would agree that UT or UNC are better programs than Marshall, esp if your goal is NY. but again, like REV says, this stuff is very regional. it's not like we're comparing M7 schools.

 

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