FLU – I agree with you in principal on the MBA’s but Top 10 is too selective. There are about 40 really good MBA programs in the country. When you say 2nd or third tier, most people think of those 40 cut into thirds.
Reality is that those Top 40 are solid. For me, the 2nd tier are the CSUSM, San Diego State’s, UCSD’s and USD’s of the world – maybe even UCI.