Baruch MBA vs. NYU MSRE
So I'm beginning the hunt of grad school for 2021 and want to hear your guys' input. Would you take a Baruch College MBA over an NYU MSRE? I've yet to determine if I want CRE for a career, which is why I am considering an MBA.
Pros for Baruch are: cheap AF tuition, like $40k for an MBA (unheard of), located in NYC, decently strong alumni in CRE and allows for concentration in RE finance (should I choose to stay), diverse student base, "best ROI for an MBA"
Cons for Baruch: ranked like 60-something in US News, not as respected as NYU Stern or Columbia, heard campus and employees are dirty/mean, lack of campus feel
Now we all (should) know about NYU so I won't list the pros and cons for that, but reminder that NYU MSRE costs around $90-$100k JUST for an MSRE...
Baruch has a solid reputation in NYC, definitely a value+. NYU is well known int'l and probably has the largest real estate alumni network in the world (it's a large program and been around decades).
There is also a new MSRE being offered by Fordham from their Columbus Circle location, it is mostly former NYU professors and administrators. They are basically copying the NYU program but are much cheaper (clearly NYU > Fordham overall, but Fordham is super solid for NYC rep purposes and a better value).
I think you should figure out whether RE is really where you want to stay. The NYU program is pricier, but frankly will open doors that few other degrees can. If you don't need that, then don't pay for it unless you just want the fancier name on your resume.
Thanks man, you give out a lot of great advice so just want that to be known.
Now, I think I'm set on CRE for the remainder of my 20s (I'm freshly 25) and maybe into the early 30s. I want to see if I can get into REPE or BB originations in the next couple of years which is why I prompted this question.
I just don't know if I want if I want CRE forever. Part of me wants to leave the business world behind at some point, but I can't see that far out right now. Does your answer remain the same given the additional info?
I appreciate the complement!
With the extra detail added, I will add this..
Grad degrees (just like UG) will have declining personal value with time. Meaning, they are most valuable to you upon graduation and then slowly have less marginal impact. This is actually good, because your career progression takes over and you are viewed as way valuable due to your experience/track record.
Thus, if you are interested in 'flexibility' after like 5 or 10 years, the grad degree you get will have little meaning. The network can matter for a lifetime, but whether it was an MSRE or MBA will be totally or nearly meaningless.
This is not say you shouldn't get an MBA now, just that I would really focus on the degree/school that will most propel you over the next five years.
Yeah, actually there are people who get multiple masters degrees or other grad degrees. I don't think it is super common, but ive seen people who's profile referenced MBAs and MSREs (not sure if they really went back, or just got a dual degree that some places offer).
If you look at 'executive MBAs' a lot of those people will have other grad degrees including JDs, MDs, MS's in tax/accounting/econ, and I'm sure some in RE. The EMBA was basically designed for that market of student, older, more experienced, etc (i.e. richer and can pay $$$$, as they are sometimes 2x the cost of a regular MBA at the same place).
If you really need a 'reset' going back to grad school is an easy (but not cheap) way to do it. Frankly, I don't think you would need to do that, unless your career really hit some road blocks. The knowledge of an MBA isn't all that special (trust me, I have one), and after years of exp. you should have a network that can propel you along. Of course, if you want that MBA business schools">M7 MBA pop and get accepted.... otherwise, I don't see why its a good idea, but I mean, that is very individualized.
NYU. The school will open you doors that Baruch cannot even dream of.
Not sure why I'm getting MSd for this but I'll elaborate. Some of the Baruch alumni recommending Baruch on this thread are people who months ago posted threads on how they couldn't get an analyst position after graduation. NYU will get you these jobs. Sure, Baruch is cheaper, but the optionality you'll get from NYU in terms of career is far greater, not to mention the fact that the top jobs will be far more attainable coming out of NYU than out of Baruch. So yes, you end up paying more for NYU, but your earnings potential will also be far greater.