Does Georgetown Masters offer better ROI than other RE masters programs? Tuition comparisons

Georgetown's tuition is substantially lower than other programs. Obviously, there are far more factors in ROI calculations other than just tuition cost, but Georgetown looks a solid option, if you want to work in DC area. You could intern part time during masters, land FT and then finish degree while you work FT.

Tuition only:
Georgetown (part time, flexible, 33 units) - 42k
NYU (part time, flexible, 44 units) - variable depending on what load you take, 68k if you take full load (12 units), 80-85k if you take less than full load
Columbia (full time, 1 year) - 79k
MIT (Full time, 1 year, but can extend to 1.5 years) - 74K
USC (Full time - 1 year, part time - 2 years) - 83k
Cornell (Full time - 2 years) - 104k
John Hopkins (Full time - 1 year, part time - 2 years, 36 credits) - 64k full time, 46k part time

 

IMO, the opportunity cost of enrolling in a full time program adds another $80-150K+ to whatever your tuition basis is, plus lost experience for that year (not easily quantifiable). A major benefit of Georgetown is that it is a highly reputable name/competitive with all of the other programs you listed (probably not #1), but allows students to continue working/getting deal reps/whatever during that time period. Look at your list--NYU is one of the only other programs that offers this flexibility. For me that was a huge part of a personal ROI analysis.

 

People already in the industry who are getting it are getting it as part of a larger credentials "arms race." You get it because the next guy is getting it. Classic case of a credential creating artificial demand.

I do agree that I don't have a clear picture of what non-industry people are doing with the credential, but as a Gtown student and a person in the business, the low cost and almost no opportunity cost make it a good insurance policy.

Array
 

Currently an Associate at a decent sized firm and thinking about doing the online Georgetown program. Current location is a major 2nd tier market which doesn't have any part-time real estate programs.

What are everyone's thoughts on the online program and whether it's worth $40K for the Georgetown name in 10 years when I'm up for the SVP / Exec positions or out raising money?

 

I'd say not picking Georgetown, because of its DC location and part time nature, was an error for me, for what it's worth. My program is perfectly fine and I'm happy with the connections I made, but in hindsight, the lost income hurts way more than whatever I saved on cost of living.

As @Virginia Tech 4ever" said, the Master of Real Estate degree is part of the real estate arms race. When hundreds, and even thousands, of people are applying for every analyst opening and storming every executive's email account, the more ways you stand out, the better. Once you're on the job performance is all that matters, but getting there isn't an easy route.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I'm interested in Gtown as well...how would my chances be as someone who was in CRE banking for 1-2 years, left and went to another industry (less than 1 year so far), and uses the masters to get back in CRE? Mulling over my options and if this is feasible. I want to break into development and already live in the DC suburbs.

 

Wow, that is a crazy price--$10,000. Frankly, that price point makes sense when I think about it though. At Gtown, for example, their professional master's program building was donated; if professors are paid it is some nominal sum (they are mostly adjunct former or current professionals); and the main program cost is administration, which, to Gtown's credit, seems incredibly small. I think these real estate programs are gouging people on price, using these programs as cash cows for the universities.

Array
 

I enrolled in the Georgetown program purely for reasons mentioned previously - not to be disqualified when competing against other applicants, but the program on my resume is not a game changer in itself. An arms race, exactly. Guy next to me is tacking it on there so I might as well too. FYI I've done the majority of the program in-person but have taken two online classes as well.I went to a top 15 undergraduate university that I still rep over Georgetown but I got sick of people asking me where else when I went to school...basically like, "Yes, Northwestern undergrad." And then they'd be like "and then where'd you go..." so now I'm like.. "Georgetown.."I looked at the price of the program and the flexibility and felt like it was a no-brainer. That being said, having experienced a legitimate 'higher education' experience, this doesn't exactly cut it. This is a pure revenue-driver for Georgetown and the applicant pool who is accepted reflects it. Don't get me wrong, there are people in the program with 5 years of real RE experience who don't have to get MBAs to hit the next compensation level but there are also some complete jokers who can barely spell real estate. Come across them in a group project and you'll see what I mean quickly.All in all, depends what you're looking for. Want to add Georgetown to your resume for ~$40-50k? This is the program for you. If you're looking for something a little more substantive, perhaps consider other programs first mentioned on this thread.

 
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