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ISB versus US Top 10 MBA – Cost & ROI Comparison

Why am I writing? I have a very strong feeling that 97% of the readers think that ISB is cheaper than any US Top 10 MBA program. Well, I am writing to offer the best comparison possible between ISB and a US Top 10-business school. I have also inserted appropriate URL’s and loan EMI Calculators for both the countries (India and US).

Sometime ago, one of our applicants who was admitted to both ISB and TUCK decided to join ISB and he justified his decision by stating that “TUCK is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE” and “ISB is a cheap School”. Very recently, someone gave up Duke Fuqua for ISB for exact same reasons. I have a strong feeling that you feel the same way too. In order to somehow help you with your decision-making, I decided to do a parallel comparison.

ISB is a great school and we have respected them for the brand they have created in the last decade. However, if you want to pick ISB, you should do so because it is a great school and not because it is a “CHEAP School”. It is not a “CHEAP School”. You have to look at your cash flow situation post MBA.

I spent 8 months with this applicant who turned down Duke Fuqua for ISB as he thought ISB was coming with a price tag of 40%. In order to offer my disagreement, I decided to offer the following comparison to you.

DUKE Fuqua ISB
Total Cost of Education 97 Lacs
https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/financial-aid/international-students/daytime-mba#cost-of-attendance
27 Lacs
https://www.isb.edu/pgp/Fees-Financing/Programme-Expenses
Loan Repayment Terms Max up to 20 years @ 8.25%
https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/financial-aid/international-students/international-student-loan/
10-15 Years – 11.5%
https://www.isb.edu/pgp/Fees-Financing/Programme-Expenses
Average Annual Salary $ 112167 ( Joining bonus is separate: $ 28000)
INR 69,54,354 + INR 17.36 Lacs Joining Bonus
https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/documents/mba_recruiting/DukeMBAFinalEmploymentStats2012-13.pdf
NR 17,41,081 (No information on joining bonus was available.
Not sure if the joining bonus/relocation is a part of this figure).
https://www.isb.edu/sites/ default/files/Placement%20Report%202013.pdfs
Average Monthly Salary INR 5,79,529 INR 1,45,090
Average Monthly Salary after Taxes INR 405670 INR 1,01,563
Average Monthly expenses $ 2,000 -$3,500
INR 1,24,000-INR 2,10,000
NR 60,000-INR 70,000
( Mumbai/Gurgaon)
EMI 10 Years- $1913 ( INR 118606)
20 Years-$ 1,329(INR 84,568)
https://www.culookup.com/IFrameCalculators/Credit/LoanCalculator?cuid=610&resource=hide
https://www.coastal24.com/calculators/index.html ?
INR 37,193( 10 Year Repayment)
INR 30,688 ( 15 Year Repayment-Max Term)
https://www.axisbank.com/Calculators/Education-Loan-Calculator.html?ucode=Personal&

When you pick an MBA program, it is advisable to evaluate your net incoming CASH for the first 5-7 years post MBA. After 5 years, things will look very different.

I really hope you at some point of your life find yourself in this DILEMMA. Irrespective of what you pick, at least you will have gained an ADMIT  .

PythaGURUS generates significantly higher conversion rates than its peer group due its great understanding of the MBA admissions process, and the personal attention to quality, and delivery.

For over 15+ years as an Entrepreneur, and India’s Top Educationist, Jatin has led a range of initiatives in the Education Industry. In this role, he has created many successful educational services and products geared towards generating success for professionals aspiring to join IVY League and global Top Tier Universities for MBA Programs, Masters Programs, and undergraduate courses. He is the Founder and CEO of PythaGURUS Education, and has been recognized as a thought leader in the Higher education sector. Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Times of India, India Today, Business Today, Tribune, and many other national newspapers have recognized his work, and have given him numerous opportunities to be a regular columnist. He has also served as a panelist for NDTV, and other national news channels.

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