SMU Cox or TCU Neeley?
Posted by Loalboi@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 34 comments
Admitted to both schools MS Business Analytics programs. With scholarships from SMU, both schools cost the same. Career outcomes from both programs is basically the same. I am from the DFW area and am planning to stay.
From my perspective:
SMU - has the better brand in Dallas - Better alumni network - ranked higher among B schools
TCU - curriculum is more aligned with my interests - I like the culture/learning environment at TCU more - better opportunities for applied learning experiences.
For those who have worked with TCU and SMU grads, what has your experience been?
random_ta_account@reddit
I work in higher ed and am familiar with both programs. I'd go with TCU. Here's why...
If this were an MBA program, you are largely buying into the network. There isn't a lot of new learning in an MBA program. Both have a great alumni network, but I's give the edge to SMU on network. However, a Business Analytics is a skills-based program. The network is great, but the learning counts more. TCU is a great program and IMO, better than SMU. Go TCU. The learning experience is better and the alumni network is almost as good, if not equal.
Loalboi@reddit (OP)
Can you elaborate more on why you you’d choose TCU’s MSBA?
random_ta_account@reddit
In my opinion, TCU puts more emphasis on the learning experience. TCU is more applied, more relevant, and more student-centered. The culture at Neely is hungry to move up in the rankings and to be more relevant nationally. I see a lot of effort at Neely to integrate learning into practice. Cox deserves a lot of respect, but feels more complacent, more faculty-centered, and less about application and more about prestige. Those are broad characterizations and each professor is different, but from the outside, TCU has more of a startup culture and SMU is more of an established culture.
Loalboi@reddit (OP)
How did you become familiar with both MSBA programs?
random_ta_account@reddit
I work in higher ed administration where part of my work is to oversee a competing business analytics program (that is not as highly ranked).
Irish_queen1017@reddit
I would agree with the student centered aspect. I have friends and family that have gone to both (although diff programs) and TCU seems to individualize their student experience and has good career counseling
Fine-Craft3393@reddit
TCU wants to be more relevant nationally ? lol. Nearly spit out my coffee. And I want to be a billionaire. TCU is a regional school at best… it’s not even a Top 3 school in Texas… that would be UT / Rice and SMU…. NATIONALLY nobody outside of Texas has likely ever heard about TCU (football aside)
random_ta_account@reddit
Nevertheless, it is categorized as a National R2 university and that is their asperation. Currently ranked #105 nationally. SMU is #91.
Wonderful_World_1646@reddit
I’m a Cox MBA alum and the network is amazing.
metalspin@reddit
as an SMU alum, if your plan is to stay in dallas or even texas, you can’t go wrong with either but from personal experience, i’ve benefitted big time from the SMU network. if you’re doing it for just your personal development, UTD is fantastic and a great option too. I’m a director in the management consulting space and i’d hire people from all three and consider all of them (but i would always support a fellow mustang in networking beyond that if they ask). I will say i encounter a lot of high caliber PMBA and EMBA out of Cox
Loalboi@reddit (OP)
How has the SMU Network benefited you?
metalspin@reddit
it’s gotten me numerous interviews (two resulting in actual jobs in 12 years since i graduated) - I have also had many client opportunities when i was more on the BD side. I have also personally hired 4 people through the years through the SMU network via organizations i was involved with at school and have gotten probably 3-4 more hired elsewhere by making connections for them. 2 of those on the east coast.
No-Cheese-713@reddit
An education from SMU is fine, but the network aspect is only strong in Dallas. It’s basically irrelevant anywhere else in the US, even in other cities is Texas.
metalspin@reddit
i have arguably had as many or more opportunities presented to me through my smu network in houston. more than half my college friends live there now and are very successful.
CabotRaptor@reddit
I’d disagree honestly. I went there and know a ton of folks who have benefited from the SMU network in Houston and Austin.
Not to mention New York, Chicago, and LA. Yeah it’s a bit of a rich kids school, but those rich kids go on to live and work in expensive cities all over the country.
Dedwards_est_22@reddit
I'd like to offer an outside perspective, without SMU or TCU loyalty haha. Just from the benefits you laid out it seems like you'll get more out of the TCU program because it's what you want to learn, not just prestigious. That's what's going to keep you going when you're working hard on your degree :)
ITZOURTIMENOW@reddit
Cox business school is elite, not sure that you’ll find anything like it
theshallowdrowned@reddit
Elite within parts of Texas, but not nationally.
ITZOURTIMENOW@reddit
Op said that “that they are from the DFW Area and that they plan to stay in Texas” if that’s their plan, then where it’s stands outside of Texas is irrelevant.
theshallowdrowned@reddit
Okay.
CabotRaptor@reddit
I’m a Cox alum and elite is a strong word.
That being said, it is an excellent business school. Especially if you are interested in investment banking, accounting, general finance, .etc
The undergrad school has excellent feeder programs into each.
I personally know like 15-20 people who went on to work for the big boy I-banks (Goldman, Citi, Credit Suisse, UBS, .etc)
Total-Lecture2888@reddit
*in Dallas area, there’s options in this state better than cox.
tourmalatedideas@reddit
"I'd rather hire professionals from UTA or UTD rather than TCU or SMU because in my experience the students from TCU and SMU have a lower aptitude and flexibility in learning" -Senior Vice President of Downtown DFW
EAT THE RICH
tacoscholar@reddit
SMU alum, though not in business. That said, the SMU network is small but very strong, and my friends that went the business route (though mostly MBAs) are all working for “evil empire” companies and doing quite well.
Vegetable_Cabinet_92@reddit
Cox for sure. Very prestigious and way more opportunity post grad in Dallas.
formlessfighter@reddit
if money is not an issue, SMU will give you the more prestigious reputation and better network after graduation
FlyingToast21@reddit
TCU 2023 MBA grad, let me know if I can answer any questions! I loved my time there, great people/education, and would do it over again. Even if that means footing the tuition bill again lol
Little_Baby_6450@reddit
I don't think you are going to find a lot of people on Reddit that are in a position to be recruiting/hiring people with graduate school degrees.
It's just going to turn into a bickering contest.
GrumbleTrainer@reddit
Just go to UTD and spend half the money lol
w6750@reddit
If someone’s deciding between TCU and SMU, money is not a factor for them
GrumbleTrainer@reddit
Haha very true
tourmalatedideas@reddit
"I'd rather hire professionals from UTA or UTD rather than TCU or SMU because in my experience the students from TCU and SMU have a lower aptitude and flexibility in learning" -Senior Vice President of Downtown DFW
EAT THE RICH
Minimum_Ice_3403@reddit
Depends where ur going want to live after
username_user13@reddit
I am 100% biased as a TCU alum (not business but still) myself…..go PURPLE! C/o 2014 here and I would choose TCU over and over again if I had to. Just based on your lists, it sounds like TCU is the better fit for you. I can also attest that going to a school that isn’t a fit for you can make your academic life harder (thanks, grad school).