That is a nice endorsement. I went straight to their web site to check them out. Did you do the MAS degree? And how did you first go about finding a good program, and checking the quality? Is there a ranking site a la US News? All I could think of is googling, which unearthed Penn State which seemed OK (same degree online and on campus) and several other programs which would not work for me (either don't offer online, or require relatively quick studying, and I would need to stretch it out over several years). I know I haven't come accross Colorado State in my googling. So how did you get information?
I think I also did a google search, though it helped I knew people attending in-person there at the time, and could talk to people. I do remember seeing the Penn State one as well... but I can't remember why, 3 years ago I decided on CSU over Penn.
And yes, I did the MAS. I considered the MS in statistics, but I figured given what I wanted to do, I was more interested in the application than the theory, and the MS is more designed for going on to your PhD in statistics, which is not my cup of tea.
I really do think that anyone taking out giant loans today for anything other tha super payback guaranteed employment ifs a complete fool. I no longer have any sympathy, post 2015.
Yeah, I remember at the start of my undergrad saying "but... this is a pretty expensive school" and
everyone - parents, teachers, counselors, neighbors, people on the street - telling me "don't worry, you'll just take out loans and then pay them off in your first year with your high paying job that you will definitely get." It took me 9 months to find my first job, and it paid 25k/year - that's what my tuition for
one semester cost. Now, at every opportunity, I act as the voice of reason for all my younger cousins who are, for some reason
still hearing that stupid opinion.