I want to be someone who evaluates the profitability of the business, how they are spending money and how they could reduce costs, what investments they should make, financial plans Ext.

I can either go to UIUC for around $120k at the most for living + education without any scholarships and major in Accounting/Finance and minor in Econ. Then go get a MBA at a top 10 school for $120k without any scholarships and not accounting for living expenses.

Or go to a more competitive school like Northwestern/Berkeley/New York for Undergrad and major in economics and finance for $300k.

I have no idea which choice would provide the better overall education for my career choice which is probably most important. But also the former would take 6 years while the latter would only take 4. Although I could get a MBA at a later point in my life I would be losing 2 years of salary at some point.

I work in a company which hires students from MIT and Darthmouth, while I did my MBA from College of William & Mary. The main difference that I noticed over the last 3 years is that higher ranked schools have a much engaged alumni who are at a higher position across companies and thus can refer you.

E.g. If I am to search for a job, with or without the help of an alum, it takes me longer. While my friend who got laid off, found Tuck alumni in her target organization and was able to even get a salary hike despite being jobless for several months.

Long story short. Brand name matters, if you can get into NW, Berkeley, NYU then go for it. You'll pay be back sooner since your 3 year gain, 5 year gain, 10 year gain will be higher than let's say UIUC - assuming you join a partner organization that hires from your target school.