Hello All,

I live and work in the bay area (California). I want to do a part-time/online/distance learning MBA, and do not want to fork out a 100K dollars. But at the same time, I would like a reputable institution that has high requirements for GMAT or is selective, but is also reasonably priced..not more than $30K-$40K. I could not find any such institution in USA, while found a couple in UK.

Any suggestions?

At http://www.find-mba.com/search you can search for US DL MBAs with accreditation. Most of those will be at least slightly selective, and the schools that stand out to me are, in declining order of their full-time MBA programmes general standing,
Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) (PA)
University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) (NC)
Indiana University--Bloomington (Kelley) (IN)
University of Texas--Dallas (TX)
Arizona State University (Carey) (AZ)
Pennsylvania State University--University Park (Smeal)
University of Florida (Hough) (FL)
Northeastern University
Temple University (Fox) (PA)

Programmes under $30K will not be very selective. Here's a useful list [from 2009] of AACSB MBAs with below average costs:
http://www.geteducated.com/online-college-ratings-and-rankings/best-buy-lists/best-buy-online-masters-mba-aacsb

On that list, Oklahoma State, Ball State, SUNY and UMAss Amherst stand out for me. Also look at the state system-wide Online MBAs from Wisconsin, Georgia and Massachusetts.

PS Personally, I like the sound of the Wisconsin programme: http://www.wisconsinonlinemba.org . Take a look at this too: http://www.thebestcolleges.org/best-online-mbas-under-50000/

Thanks!

As you mention it certainly looks like any program that is not expensive is not going to be that selective/reputable either.

What are your thoughts on:

Online Schools:
Colorado State,
Durhan & Bradford in UK (Warsaw is bit more exp)

P/T School in the Bay:
San Francisco State Univ

Those programmes are all fine. Durham is the #3 university in England (where I live) so of course it seems much better to me than the state universities you're also looking at. However, I think that SFSU is a really logical choice. You'll benefit from the network much more with that, and the experience of being in the classroom is really better.

P/T School in the Bay:
San Francisco State Univ

Thanks guys. What are your thoughts on EMBA vs PT other than the costs and if exp is not a hurdle.

EMBA programs are usually aimed at a more mature and experienced audience - for example, Wharton offers an EMBA in San Francisco, where candidates on average have about 10 years of experience.

Also, EMBA programs tend to be pursued by people who are more likely to not change companies after graduation. That's why you see more EMBA students funded by their companies - it's in the companies' best interest to help their employees skill up. Part-time students are more likely to be self-funded.