Northwestern Online MPPA or Rutgers Online MPA?

[orazzack]

I've been accepted to both for the fall. Anyone with knowledge of the policy field know what I should do?

U.S. News and World Report ranks Rutgers #23 as a public affairs grad school, while Northwestern is ranked at a surprisingly low #59. However, in terms of name recognition, one would think Northwestern is way better than Rutgers.

I just want the degree that will best set me up for a policy job immediately after graduation. So confused; any help appreciated!

[orazzack]

...bueller

[lyrehc]

I think rank matters.  Those in the field know how schools are ranked; HOWEVER I think how you do in the program is the most important.  The way material is taught/presented is a huge deal as well.    I completed my entire Master's online but I felt like I was in a bubble and other than writing my thesis don't feel like I learned/accomplished a lot.

 

Is the ranking specific to the online program?  Do you know how places you want to work feel about online degrees?  Sometimes waiting and finding something in person is a better decision.

[orazzack]

First of all, thanks so much for a response.

 

I wasn't sure how much rank really mattered for a public policy program. I'm a law grad, so I know rank is ridiculously weighted in firms for attorneys, but I'm not sure about agencies and other policy-related organizations (think NGOs, policy research, think tanks, etc.). As for how one does in the program, I'm pretty comfortable with the online format, so I think it sort of equals out for both.

 

And no, the ranking is not specific to the online program. Rutgers-Newark's School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) is consistently ranked in the top 25 in public policy specialties, even in the top 10 in some. Meanwhile, Northwestern doesn't even have a dedicated public policy school; their MPPA program is offered through their School of Continuing Studies, which didn't receiving great reviews online as a whole (not sure if that really matters either).

 

Finally, Rutgers has offered me 12 transfer credits from law school, which will save me about 13,000 dollars. Now that's amazing, of course. But in the long run, I'm not sure it'll be that significant, if a Northwestern degree will give me more earning potential. Of course when I asked Northwestern, they said they don't accept transfer credits.

 

Those are just a few of the deciding factors. I'm trying to reach out to public affairs managers and others for responses, but getting very little back. Any follow-up thoughts, lyrehc? Or anyone?

Edited September 22, 2013 by orazzack

[hesadork]

Rutgers.  1)  It's cheaper (and will be quicker with the transfer of credits).  2) The "school of continuing studies" is a red flag that likely undermines/undoes any reputational advantage NW enjoys.

[123euradell]

If you are still around to see this, would you mind sharing which program you picked? My daughter is faced with the same decisions. Thanks!