List of Cheap Online MBA Programs That Can Be Completed in Under 1 Year

[Duneranger]

Ultimately, stuck between UMass Lowell vs UIS (Springfield). Both could be done in 12 months, UMass Lowell is almost $20k, UIS is over $15k. Lowell MBA is ranked in Poets and Quants, whilst UIS is not. UIS curriculum seems to be better. Ultimately, what sounds better to most regular HR/recruiters: "Went to UMass" or "Went to U of Illinois"? Appreciate your input.

University of Illinois--Springfield is Unranked in Best Business Schools and No. 184 (tie) in Part-time MBA according to US News.
The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is ranked #251-300 in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
UIC rose into the top 200 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2022
US News & World Report rankings:
   No. 1 public regional university in Illinois (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
   No. 6 public regional university in the Midwest (2024).

U.S. News & World Report, the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is ranked 159 out of 439 National Universities in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges
The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is ranked #751–800 globally by QS World University Rankings. It is also ranked:
#501–600 globally by Times Higher Education World University Rankings
#601–800 worldwide by ARWU (Shanghai Ranking)
#1136 in Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report
#159 out of 439 National Universities by U.S. News & World Report

I can say that UIS is part of the University of Illinois System... same as the campus in Champaign and the one in Chicago. The diploma will simply say U of I...
thought I'd mention that in case that sways your opinion.

Also, some of the classes will be taught by staff from Gies (the business school in Champaign, and they are nationally ranked.) 

For most of us in IL, UIS is simply a cheaper back door to a "U of I" parchment. YMMV

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Ultimately, stuck between UMass Lowell vs UIS (Springfield). Both could be done in 12 months, UMass Lowell is almost $20k, UIS is over $15k. Lowell MBA is ranked in Poets and Quants, whilst UIS is not. UIS curriculum seems to be better. Ultimately, what sounds better to most regular HR/recruiters: "Went to UMass" or "Went to U of Illinois"? Appreciate your input.

University of Illinois--Springfield is Unranked in Best Business Schools and No. 184 (tie) in Part-time MBA according to US News.
The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is ranked #251-300 in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
UIC rose into the top 200 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2022
US News & World Report rankings:
   No. 1 public regional university in Illinois (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
   No. 6 public regional university in the Midwest (2024).

U.S. News & World Report, the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is ranked 159 out of 439 National Universities in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges
The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is ranked #751–800 globally by QS World University Rankings. It is also ranked:
#501–600 globally by Times Higher Education World University Rankings
#601–800 worldwide by ARWU (Shanghai Ranking)
#1136 in Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report
#159 out of 439 National Universities by U.S. News & World Report

I can say that UIS is part of the University of Illinois System... same as the campus in Champaign and the one in Chicago. The diploma will simply say U of I...
thought I'd mention that in case that sways your opinion.

Also, some of the classes will be taught by staff from Gies (the business school in Champaign, and they are nationally ranked.) 

For most of us in IL, UIS is simply a cheaper back door to a "U of I" parchment. YMMV

Also... not sure if something new has been introduced, but the online MBA used to be a 4-semester program. (so longer than just 12 months). Also, UIS uses traditional semesters, you cannot accelerate... unless they have added something I am unaware of.

This is wrong. The diploma will not just say of "U of I". It will clearly say U of I Springfield. You cant pass it off as the flagship uni.