Trying to decide between a MAcc and an MBA

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I'm deciding on whether I should attend a MAcc program next year, or waiting a couple years and applying to MBA programs.

The MAcc program's I'm looking into are Texas-Austin, UNC-Chapel Hill, and USC. They are programs geared towards people who don't have undergraduate degrees in accounting... my degree was in economics. They all seem to have good placement, so I'm not really worried about finding a job if I got in to one of these programs and did well. I'm currently ~$35k in debt from undergrad, so this is why I'm second guessing taking on more debt. Especially considering these programs are ~50-60k. I would be able to save up a little before the program though.

I've also thought of waiting and applying to MBA programs down the road in a couple years, but I'm working a dead end job currently and don't really see myself going anywhere at this point. I doubt working 4 years at a dead end job, at a no name company would leave me with many solid BSchool options. That's why I decided that maybe a MAcc is the best choice. I do like that an MBA can open more doors, but I really fear that I won't have the qualities/application to get into a good program.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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by Anurag@Gurome » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:31 am
You should be ok with an MAcc; the programs you listed are all good programs. MBA is indeed a broader degree and opens more doors, but you must think about what your long-term goals are. If you like accounting-focused roles, then MAcc should be just fine (and cheaper).

Hope that helps.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
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