Decisions: US or non-US MBA?

After reviewing all the MBA programs listed in The Financial Times, Business Week, and The Economist I found myself presented with a very obvious choice.

US or non-US MBA? Or should I say, "Do you want to live in the US?" Answering this question first is essential.

The rankings are filled with well recognized American schools. They do insert the international schools, but they never rank as well. They also separate the international schools off to the side, but that only makes them look more conspicuous. How to process all this information into a choice? Inspecting the international schools closer I could see a few of the higher ranking ones were from Canada and offered the 12 month intensive program I had been considering instead of the traditional 24 month program with an internship.

What does going to a US school means really mean? If someone were to go to the trouble of moving to the US for an MBA they would obvious want one of the better schools. Almost all of them are 2 years in length and cost $60,000 or more a year for tuition alone. Of course the schools are more than happy to hook you up with an agent who would loan you the money. Not only do you have to finance the tuition, you also have to pay for living in the US. Since you are a student you can't really work to earn money to offset the cost and since you are on a student visa it is unlikely your spouse can work either. At the end of the day you are out $200,000 to a US lending institute and you have an MBA from a well respected school.

Now what?

To make that MBA payout you pretty much need to accept the highest paying position, which is more than likely going to come from a US firm than anywhere else.

Transport yourself to the future 5 years. You have paid off you loan after slaving away and you are finally getting somewhere with the organization you have joined. Now that you are done you want to move home, in my case to good old Canada, right?

WRONG! There is no way you are going to uproot your wife, kids, and mix-up your career AGAIN! Remember, she still remembers how you went back to the "student" budget to complete the MBA and pay it back. Now that she has a house, kids, a car, friends, and a comfortable lifestyle there is no way you will convince her to give that up. Besides you would have to leave all your new friends, career, and lifestyle behind. Who is going leave all that?


I wouldn't mind moving to the US, but for it to be a requirement seems like I'm giving up a lot of freedom for future choice. I think I will stick to the Canadian programs. At least that way I get to choose if I want to be in the US.

Do you want to live in the US? Answer that question first because that is the real question you are answering when you are considering a US MBA program.

Other related links with in my blog:

• The Choice: Why go back for an MBA?
• Contemplation: Who Should Do An MBA?
• Plethora of Programs: Which one to choose?
• Decisions: US or Non-US MBA?
• Decisions: Which Canadian MBA Programs to Apply To?
• Contemplation: Is the MBA worth it?

(Update: check out what a 2010 Queen's MBA Candidate has to say on this issue on their blog)