Whether you’re seeking a midcareer salary boost, a more diverse professional network or a promotion, an MBA can open doors and provide the business skills necessary to advance in the modern workplace. But if you’re considering an MBA online, it’s important to carefully evaluate the costs and benefits before enrolling in a program.
Costs vary by school, type of degree, program length and more, but online MBA programs typically cost less than on-campus MBA programs. Additionally, many schools offer scholarships, discounts or tuition assistance for students.
Online MBA programs also offer greater flexibility than traditional on-campus programs, which can make them a good fit for working professionals who want to continue to build their careers while earning an MBA. Moreover, in some cases, a student can complete an MBA entirely online — excluding foundation courses — in the same amount of time as a traditional full-time on-campus MBA.
When evaluating an online MBA program, it’s important to consider how much class time is devoted to lectures versus interactive discussions and projects. Some traditional MBA programs, Geoghegan says, have up to 80% lecture time, which can be difficult for students who are balancing career and family obligations.
In addition to class size, a student should look at what concentrations the school offers and what industry experts are saying about those specialties. For example, a business analytics concentration can help prepare students to analyze and interpret data that will help improve a company’s decision-making. mba online