UCSU is also worth looking at (and UNC Charlotte), but my recommendation is that you look at a part-time or executive MBA at a better school further away if you can afford long weekends. The investment will be higher, but the return on every dollar which be much higher if you have the appetite to grow your business.

Also look at Advanced Management Programs and, if it's a $4m plus business, at the Harvard OPM.

<blockquote>Also look at Advanced Management Programs and, if it's a $4m plus business, at the Harvard OPM.</blockquote>

Here are some upcoming management training programs offered by those schools:

http://www.nextexecutive.com/schools/south-carolina-moore
http://www.nextexecutive.com/schools/unc-kenan-flagler
http://www.nextexecutive.com/topics/entrepreneurship

<blockquote>What is the best business school to attend in state? Is a one year MBA or EMBA sufficient?</blockquote>
I'd echo Duncan's suggestion recommending a part-time program - if you really don't want to go out of state (I don't blame you,) I'd narrow my choice to these:

USC - Moore
Clemson
College of Charleston

USC Moore has the strongest reputation, but the other two could work for you, depending on what your career goals are.

Speaking of which - what are you career goals?

<blockquote>Also, I've heard bschool is just as important for networking as for education, is this true? Do the rankings matter (How is USC int business is no 1)? Finally, I've been told only go to bschool a top university (wharton, harvard, etc), how much truth is there?</blockquote>
Networking is indeed important. You'll make connections with the rest of your cohort, your professors, and local businesses. Perhaps equally important is the strength of each program's career services support and alumni network - these will help you find a job (if you want a new job - maybe you just want to keep working at your own company, I don't know.)

Ranking is important, but rankings tend to focus on nationally-strong programs and neglect the strengths of regional ones. That's why it's important to do your research on the regional programs and ask the schools about their career services and other support mechanisms. The good ones will be forthcoming with stats, data, and even connect you with alumni.

College of Charleston is a great suggestion ;-)

I'd like to gain some formal knowledge of business. Hopefully the school component will offer more than just reading books. I think it is important to be surrounded by sharp individuals. I do not need the notoriety of a great school, but if I'm spending the time I might as well get the most out of it.

My business is important to me. I am hoping that the education will help me and the business grow/evolve. I'd like to seek out new opportunities.

Time is the most valuable asset to me. I can afford long weekends if it is worth the end result (top univ).

It is easiest to stay local. USC, CofC, etc. Will I get a good education? Who else is attending? I have heard CofC has a lot of old CEOs that retire in the area and teach classes. That would be a great link for resources outside SC... USC has recruiters in the area pushing the part time mba program. Is it just a cash cow for them?

At the end of the day how is b-school here different than reading a book on my own?

<blockquote>Who else is attending?</blockquote>
I think the best thing to do to determine this is to check out the current cohorts or ask the schools about them to find out what kind of student each program draws. CoC tends to draw young(ish) students from the local area and around the country. They've also introduced some international funding options so you're starting to see more international students.

USC is definitely more visible, due to its PR presence - but I don't think that adds or subtracts from its reputation.

<blockquote> At the end of the day how is b-school here different than reading a book on my own?</blockquote>
You can read a lot of books - but doing that will never come close to replicating the business school experience, no matter how many books you read. The networking experience - especially at a school with a diverse cohort - is absolutely invaluable. You'll get to know people from a wide range of industries who will be your peers and potentially co-workers after you graduate. Plus, there are career-finding services and other resources that are extremely valuable. Can't get those from a book either.

This post is almost 4 years old. Can anybody comment how Charleston MBA stands in South Carolina job market now?

Do you mean the College of Charleston?

Yes, exactly.

I'd say that ezra's advice still stands. I know that they've tried to attract international students but their main selling point is a one-year MBA program, which doesn't really suit the career goals of international students. What's odd is that I don't even think they offer a part-time MBA anymore, which is a shame for local professionals, who could really take better advantage of this school's location and connections with the area.

International students would probably be more interested in Moore, which has a bigger alumni footprint and whose program is better designed for them.