Hi guys.
I would like to know which is in your opinion the best MBA program in San Diego.
Not considering the costs of the program (I know San Diego State is much cheaper..), which program has the best reputation?
I've been accepted both at University of San Diego and San Diego State, but it seems to me that USD has a better academic reputation.
UCSD looks more focused on sciences.
Therefore to me Univ of San Diego seems the best option..
Thank you!
ps: I know there is a similar post already on this website, but it's quite old (june 2008) and maybe things have changed since then..

I think that USD has traditionally been the best, and most comparative, of the San Diego schools, certainly above SDSU. And they have an excellent focus in sustainable business if that's your thing.

However, my thoughts are that UCSD Rady are making some big strides, in terms of name recognition and career placement. Certainly if you're looking for a career internationally you should look at Rady. They just partnered with Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and they already have a good relationship with schools in mainland China.

Thanks Ralph
and do you know if its mba program is nationally and internationally recognized?
the Full Time MBA program is not ranked by US news, Financial Times, Economist, Business Week...
The only rankings are
- 28th in Business Week ranking (but it is about Part-Time MBA)
- 21st in Aspen Institute beyond green pinstripes (but I don't know how much reliable this ranking is...)
What do you think about it? Is it a good program and is it well recognised nationally?
Thank you!

Let's be honest here.

Stanford/Berkeley (Haas)/UCLA (Anderson) = CA Tier 1 (Nationally and internationally recognized programs) where you have access to top Management Consulting and Investment Banking jobs. Stanford is BY FAR THE MOST ELITE. In fact, only HBS rivals Stanford.

USC = Tier 2 (Strong Regional Programs) Known Nationally but do have the same level of recruitment that extends past the region

Davis / UCI / UCSD- Tier 3 (Solid Regional Programs (Not nationally known but well regarded in CA)

Everyone Else (SDSU/CSU - whatever) - Quality varies from solid to who knows. Best if you want to stay within the programs city limits.

Please note, the quality of your classmates will vary with tier. Tier 1 will be the best of the best from all across the US and international. The everyone else tier is mostly local and quality is typically not as strong. You learn as much from your professors as you do from your classmates in a top program. These people also become your network as well.

Frankly speaking, I think you should widen your search considerably to include other accredited and well reputed colleges in San Diego, CA, such as California College San Diego, which offers an MBA that can be completed in as little as 15 months. What strikes me as interesting is that they also offer the same degree with an Entrepreneurship emphasis, something I think is sorely lacking in a lot of MBA programs out there.

California College San Diego is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, a private body that provides accreditation to *non-university* postsecondary colleges. It does not have regionally or nationally accredited status, so its credits will not be accepted by most other academic institutions.

Have to agree with Duncan on this. The school needs either AACSB, EQUIS, or AMBA accreditation to rank with the other programs mentioned here.

As far as entrepreneurship focuses in San Diego MBAs are concerned, there is no shortage: SDSU has a decent entrepreneurship specialization, and UCSD Rady has a dedicated innovation center and a student entrepreneur club. And simply being smack in the middle of a bio and tech startup hotbed can provide a host of entrepreneurial networking opportunities.

Frankly speaking, I think you should widen your search considerably to include other accredited and well reputed colleges in San Diego, CA, such as California College San Diego, which offers an MBA that can be completed in as little as 15 months. What strikes me as interesting is that they also offer the same degree with an Entrepreneurship emphasis, something I think is sorely lacking in a lot of MBA programs out there.