IU Kelley (non workshop) vs Rutgers Business school (undergrad)

Based on the most helpful WSO content, IU Kelley has a stronger reputation and better placement for investment banking (IB) and consulting roles compared to Rutgers. Kelley is considered a semi-target school, especially for middle-market (MM) IB and consulting, with its Investment Banking Workshop (IBW) and Consulting Workshop being key pipelines. Even outside the workshops, Kelley has a solid alumni network and resources for breaking into these fields.

However, the $100k cost difference is significant. If you’re not in Kelley’s workshops, the advantage diminishes somewhat, and you’ll need to work harder to leverage the alumni network and resources. Rutgers, while not as strong for IB or consulting, is free, which gives you financial flexibility and less debt pressure.

For MM IB, consulting, or product management: - If you can manage the debt and are confident in networking and maintaining a strong GPA, Kelley might offer better prospects. - If avoiding debt is a priority, Rutgers can still work, but you’ll need to be proactive in networking and internships to stand out.

Ultimately, weigh the financial burden against the career opportunities you aim to pursue.

Sources: Undergrad Business: IU (possibly) Kelley or University of Rochester, Why IU Kelley Is A Target School, Is IU-Kelley or UMD-Smith a better school for going into IB, Why IU Kelley Is A Target School, Northwestern ECON vs IU Kelley vs Vanderbilt ECON