mpagrad

@juilletmercredi Do they have the same standing? I know that on some rankings I looked up (and I know rankings should be taken with a grain of salt at the grad level) SIPA ranked in the top 5 while Wagner was in the top 25. I have spoken to students from both, but as you mentioned, the answers to my question are hard to find since you would have to know both programs really well. I plan on attending both Admitted Students Days next week, so I'm hoping to have some clarity after that!

I was admitted to SIPA for the MPA in Development Practice and NYU Wagner for the MPA in Public & Non Profit Management & Policy (International specialization) and was fortunate to receive funding from both. I'm aware that it's possible to request additional funding from each school, but as of now I'd be paying ~45k out of pocket for the 2 years at NYU and ~68k for the 2 years at Columbia. With a 22k difference (and this doesn't even include living expenses!), I'd like to know how Columbia's and NYU's programs compare (in terms of academics, internship & career opportunities, networking, practical skills training, faculty accessibility, etc.) and if I would be getting infinitely more from Columbia that would justify the extra 22k. Will I have better job prospects and networking opportunities if I go to Columbia over NYU? Is the International MPA track at NYU comparable to SIPA's MPA-DP program in terms of skills & material learned? How accessible & involved are faculty at each? If you were in my shoes what would you pick and why? P.S I want to work in program management / development for an international NGO or foundation upon graduation with plans to found my own organization in the near future (hence why those hard skills & networks are extremely important to me).