A graduate degree can be a good move for your career if you’re looking to further your professional goals and advance into management positions in your field. An MBA, whether it’s on campus or online, provides you with invaluable expertise across a wide range of business operations, but graduate education is an investment: it requires a dedicated use of your time and resources.
If you are unsure whether or not you should commit to an MBA, the main thing to consider is the type of career you want to pursue. While an MBA is still beneficial to individual contributors working in areas like marketing, technology or finance, you don’t necessarily need an MBA to be successful. If you have no interest in managing teams or departments or moving up the corporate ladder, you may not need to pursue an MBA.
However, if you’re looking to lead teams, departments and organizations, or if you want to switch careers, create your own business or be involved in startups, an MBA will offer you essential knowledge and experience you can directly apply to your work. If you have ambitious career goals, are dedicated to leading individuals and aspire to shape organizations for a lasting, successful future, you will greatly benefit from an MBA.
MBA Outcomes
While each MBA has its own unique benefits, most programs share a few of the same valuable outcomes.
Advance Your Business Expertise
No matter what type of MBA you choose, the coursework will significantly expand your understanding of business theory and practices in marketing, finance, data analytics and more. In addition to developing skills and knowledge in individual areas of business, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how seemingly disparate operational processes work together to support success.
Gain “Soft” Skills
MBAs provide valuable instruction in developing interpersonal skills, such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving and project management, all of which are essential for effective managers and leaders. Peer writing tutors help you hone your academic writing skills, which can be applied to the emails, presentations, marketing collateral and reports that you will write in your career.
Get Career Coaching and Advice
“With a remote student, the difference really is in the resources and how I engage with them. We have to be more technically savvy and digitally savvy for OMBAs (Online MBAs) and our remote students who are just commuting in for a class and going back to where they live. We switch more of the interactions to be remote. But today, most of networking is remote anyway, so it’s like the whole world is following where an OMBA program is.”
Erin Revere, Assistant Director of Career Management Center at the Freeman School of Business, Tulane University.
Many business schools provide their MBA students with access to a dedicated career coaching center. Career coaches can help with resume writing, interview prep and practice and more. These centers often have connections with local organizations and can introduce students to alumni, employers or local leaders. Career centers may also have a database of job listings that aren’t yet available to the general public, thanks to a given university’s relationship with local or national employers.
Earn a Recognized and Transferable Credential
An MBA is the gold standard of business degrees, and earning one is globally recognized as evidence of a high level of accomplishment. Senior leaders and executives often hold an MBA, so earning one can help you catapult your career to the highest levels.
Future-Proof Your Career
MBA’s focus on thinking critically and creatively, solving problems and becoming a lifelong learner. Being adaptable is increasingly critical in today’s fast-moving world. MBA students learn adaptability through their coursework, so by the time they graduate, they will be prepared to navigate disruptive technologies and other advancements that can quickly alter the business landscape.
Earning Potential
Not only do MBA graduates unlock a higher earning potential, but there are studies that show that individuals may earn a seven-figure income over a post-MBA lifetime. In addition, job applicants with MBAs on their resumés stand out to potential employers, regardless of the prestige or name recognition of their university.
Below are just a few careers that MBA graduates pursue.
| Job | Median Salary |
| Marketing Manager | $152,824 |
| IT Manager | $102,800 |
| Financial Advisor | $100,750 |
| Management Consultant | $93,311 |
| Business Analyst | $99,311 |
| Human Resources Manager | $87,400 |
Source: Lightcast
Networking Opportunities: The MBA’s Major Advantage
One of the biggest benefits of earning an MBA is access to professional connections and opportunities both during the program and as an alumni. Connections can be crucial to securing exciting and high-paying jobs throughout your career.
In addition to networking with your instructors and classmates, MBA students can benefit from meeting guest speakers who are industry or organizational leaders. Some programs incorporate internships or real-world projects, which can help students develop even more professional relationships.
MBAs can be especially beneficial to entrepreneurial students who want to create new companies.
“I think the OMBA program is going to help me strengthen my businesses and make them as sound as possible,” said Stephen Nutting, business owner and student in the Online MBA program from the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University.
Through their connections and relationships, universities can connect students with incubators, accelerators and investors, which can be instrumental in funding a start-up and identifying potential partners.
An MBA continues to pay off after graduation through alumni networks, vast pools of fellow graduates from diverse backgrounds and industries who are motivated to help their peers. You may be able to network with alumni through a dedicated website or connect with them on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. Many MBA and university alumni organizations also hold events, which can be in person or virtual, enabling you to chat with alums all over the world.
General MBA Requirements
While admissions requirements can vary, you can expect to see a few main requirements across many programs.
Bachelor’s Degree
Nearly every graduate degree program will require you to have a bachelor’s degree, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be in a business-related field. Some programs may require a minimum GPA earned in undergraduate studies.
Work Experience
Some MBA programs require a few years of experience in a professional business environment. If you’re a recent graduate with little to no professional work experience, you may be able to demonstrate this experience with an internship, part-time job or student worker position.
GRE or GMAT Scores
Many MBA programs require either GRE or GMAT scores. These tests assess your readiness for graduate work by measuring critical thinking and reasoning skills. Some institutions require a minimum score. Many universities are no longer requiring GRE/GMAT scores for applicants with demonstrated work experience, or they may not require them at all.
Online or Traditional?
In our world of remote work and learning, today’s students have the opportunity to choose an online MBA or a more traditional, on-campus MBA. You may even be able to find a program that combines the two. Many MBAs offer a part-time option as well, so you can complete your coursework without sacrificing your professional and personal commitments. The different modalities have varying advantages depending on your situation, learning style and preferences.
Differences Between Online and Traditional MBAs
| Online | Traditional | |
| Class style |
Asynchronous coursework — students access class materials and do homework at their convenience. Some programs may have live, online sessions. Most programs will still have due dates for assignments. |
Classes at a set time and place, with assignments and exams taking place on a set schedule. |
| Peer Interaction | Virtual engagement with peers through discussion boards or live sessions. | Face-to-face interactions with peers are abundant. Depending on the university, you may or may not be able to connect with fellow students online. |
| Costs |
Students don’t need to commute or pay transportation costs. But, you will need a computer and stable Wi-Fi. Online programs may have reduced tuition rates. |
Traditional students have to spend time traveling to and from campus; may need to pay for public transportation or gas, tolls, parking, etc. |
| Location | No requirement to relocate. | May have to relocate or pay for temporary housing to attend preferred program. |