Cheaper, Faster, and Smarter: Top Business Education

Although people criticize business schools for an array of issues, everyone can agree the top business schools are expensive.  If you land a seat in a top B-school you could part ways with $175K!  I found two great ways to get a top schools without the tuition.

Completing one of these programs will support your startup operations while helping you edge out competing businesses when contending for venture capital money or angel investors. 

Harvard

Yes, Harvard! Harvard Extension School offers an open-enrollment certificate program in Strategic Management.  Harvard Extension School is one of the 12 degree granting schools at Harvard, just like Harvard Law. This little known school is waiting to deliver the rigorous curriculum for which Harvard is known.  Harvard makes many of its top professors and classes available in this program.  The Strategic Management certificate is shaped like a streamlined MBA with a focus on strategy.  Build strong foundations in economics, organizational behavior, and marketing just like HBS students.  The 5 course program is customizable, from classes on managing growth to social media and online marketing. Options to attend classes include live streaming video, pre-recorded lectures, or traditional in class options at the same price.  This program is humbly priced at $10K to uphold the school’s motto, “A Harvard education accessible to everyone”.

 Stanford

This prestigious institution is renowned for generating Silicon Valley’s top developer-entrepreneurs.  The Stanford Center for Professional Development offers an 8 credit certificate program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  This open-enrollment program is available exclusively online and includes an expanding spectrum of topics focused on prototyping, design, creating demand, and developing business models.  Gain the insight from top tech gurus in the Bay Area while learning to iterate your creations into a scalable, deliverable, and market ready product.  The program promises personalized “advice from Stanford’s team of innovation coaches” and understanding of the “most current research on innovation and entrepreneurship”.  This program is a steal at $8K.  It’s probably the cheapest way to put Stanford on your resume, with results engineered to add value to your startup. 

There are many other accessible schools that cater to budding and seasoned entrepreneurs, but nothing beats these programs when you compare cost, quality, and recognition.