Is MBA Worth It?

Is MBA Worth it – Let’s explore!

An MBA degree can be an excellent choice for those looking to advance their career by learning the craft and skills to manage people, finances, enterprise operations, and broader business strategy.

There is a reason you can find MBA programs across the globe, though they have varying degrees of quality and criteria for admission. In this article, I will objectively evaluate an MBA program’s worthiness from an average applicant’s perspective.

MBA is worth every bit of your time and money if you are the right fit for this exciting and enriching degree. It can teach you fundamental business skills in marketing, finance, organizational, and consumer behavior and help you develop business acumen and a structured approach to entrepreneurship. Besides this, an MBA tag can enhance your job prospects across job markets and industries.

What does it take to do an MBA?

In case one wants to apply for an MBA program in the United States, applicants must meet specific minimum academic requirements. These include but are not limited to a bachelor’s degree from a college or any university accredited by the US-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), standardized test scores, work experience, and letters of recommendation. Applicants should check if the school they wish to attend requires specific degrees or majors.

In countries such as India, where MBA is an in-demand master’s degree, it requires a three-year bachelor’s degree as a minimum academic credential for admission to a Master of business administration program. Students typically spend between four and six years earning an MBA after school.

These are just a broader list of requirements; in reality, there are a lot of variations in the required grades or entry tests for admission to different MBA programs. Some MBA programs may require you to submit alternate test scores or English Language proficiency scores such as IELTS or TOEFL. In contrast, others may have personal interviews or group discussion (GD) rounds. It is always advisable to plan and shortlist MBA degrees and colleges beforehand and prepare according to the requirements of your dream college and MBA program admission criteria.

How relevant are aspirants’ academic and experience backgrounds to an MBA course?

The beauty of an MBA lies in its relevance to a wide variety of students from diverse cultures and academic backgrounds. Almost every student would find the subject matter of an MBA course relevant in some way or another. The nature and sheer quantum of subjects that form the core of this business administration degree are such that it helps groom students from diverse backgrounds in a wide array of skills ranging from people and organizational handling to business, marketing, and analytical skills.

It is fair to assert that an MBA degree can groom students into professionals, supplement their knowledge, and enhance their skills irrespective of academic, experiential, and cultural backgrounds. However, there is one caveat to this assertion. Since an MBA degree is taught primarily in the English language in most universities in the US and other parts of the world, candidates must have decent English communication skills to extract maximum juice from this highly enriching degree course.

All MBAs are not equal.

There are two main types of MBAs: general and specialized. General MBAs teach students how to think critically and solve complex problems. They also focus on developing analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Usually, General MBAs are a suitable choice for people without much work experience in their kitty as they still need to choose their career track post-MBA.

Another form of this program is Specialized MBAs. These programs are designed to suit the requirement of a specific set of students who want management skills focused on a particular niche industry. Some popular specialized management programs are MBAs in finance, fintech, health care, hospital management, digital marketing, foreign trade, and international business.

Another type of MBA in the market is the “Executive MBA.” These programs are meant for highly experienced candidates who want to leap from middle-level executives to top positions in corporate jobs. The curriculum is more practical and focused on niche industry-related management. Typically these programs are of lesser duration ranging from 8 to 15 months. They also come with a higher price tag and entry barriers. However, rewards are also higher when someone with practical industry experience learns management concepts; they become a valuable asset for corporations across the board.

MBA Course Content and Institutes matters!

Different categories of colleges, universities, and institutions offer various MBA programs. These programs vary not only by the course content and associated fees but also by institutions’ credibility and experience in running such high-ticket degree courses. It takes quality infrastructure, dedicated and capable faculty, and industry-connected management to deliver a quality MBA program.

Another point to consider while shortlisting MBA colleges and programs is the quantum of practical exposure in the course. Remember MBA is about business management and administration, and industry exposure is a highly significant component of this degree.

It is in the aspirant’s interest to choose not only an institute but also the type of MBA suitable for them after due diligence. A wrong decision here can cost you dearly in the long term in your career.

A good MBA can shape your personality!

Acquiring professional skills is just one of many benefits of an MBA program. A good quality MBA program can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual’s personality, their general perspective, and understanding of situations and people.

An MBA graduate is much better equipped to understand global and local economic issues and how they affect common people. Besides this, an MBA degree can help people develop a better understanding of personal finance and investments, thus indirectly helping in the wealth creation of individuals, and sometimes family and friends also benefit from an MBA alumni’s financial wisdom.

Networking and people skills are at the core of an MBA degree thus management graduates develop superior interpersonal and communication skills that help them in multiple ways both in their professional and personal life. In a nutshell, an MBA is unlike any other professional degree and it can shape how people behave in different social situations. All these side benefits of management and business education should be considered before deciding on this exciting educational journey.

But before readers get too excited, I must mention that be it major direct benefits or personality-defining indirect gains, they are all proportional to the quality of the curriculum, and program delivery standards of an institute offering an MBA degree. So choose your MBA program and institute diligently..

How much does it cost to get an MBA?

An MBA degree can take up to two years to complete, and the major component of the cost, that is fee depends on the institute’s standing and course curriculum. However, the tuition fee is only one component of the costs associated with an MBA degree. There are expenses under the heads of housing, travel, textbooks, project works, etc. If I have to quote a range of total expenses for attaining a regular MBA degree in the USA, it could fall between 30000 USD and 110000 USD.

 So far, I have only listed the direct expenses of an MBA degree. Aspirants should keep in mind there are some indirect or sort of hidden cost elements associated with joining a devoted program like an MBA. To begin with, one must understand, most candidates won’t be earning while doing an MBA. Thus, the opportunity cost of not earning for those two years must be considered.

 Then if someone takes an education loan for hefty MBA expenses, the interest on repayment should also be added to the cost of the MBA program. Thus the total cost of an MBA program depends on the individual’s current standing in terms of a salary package, job experience, or lack thereof, as well as the source of funding for the program expenses.

What after an MBA?

While an MBA program will prepare you for any career path, there are specific skills that employers value more than others. However strong background in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, statistics, management science, operations research, marketing, human resource management, and other related fields will help you succeed in almost any job.

Freshers candidates without job experience often get entry-level sales and marketing roles post-MBA. They may have gotten similar roles without an MBA degree; however, their ascent to higher positions is much more rapid and assured post-MBA.

Many jobs are available after an MBA degree, depending on a candidate’s major. Some MBA specializations offer more appointments, others can lead to higher paychecks, and few provide the best of both worlds. For instance, marketing specialization; has maximum job openings with decent pay because marketing in business is one of the most evergreen verticals. So it is always a safer specialization for MBA candidates as they will always have a decent-paying job offer or two in their kitty.

The usual corporate roles post-MBA with a major in marketing include business associates, business analysts, marketing managers, product managers, projects managers, etc. MBAs specializing in finance can give opportunities to progress to investment bankers or mutual fund managers, besides many openings in banking, insurance, and brokerage firms.

Niche specializations like healthcare will open hospital management and managerial role opportunities. Similarly, MBA with majors in (IT) students can find lucrative career tracks in information technology companies, where they can even rise to the chief technical officer or chief marketing officer roles later in their careers.

Do Entrepreneurs need an MBA degree?

Another vital career pathway that opens in a big way post-MBA is building your own business. Many MBAs opt to start their enterprise post-MBA immediately or after years of job experience. Skills acquired in MBA training can help start-up business owners or solopreneurs take on the challenges of a new business and build a structured and scalable business model.

MBA-qualified entrepreneurs find themselves in a much better position to navigate the teething problems that often accompany new enterprises, irrespective of the business structure they pick. If you are interested in knowing about them, then I have an article on this website that you can read to learn about significant business ownership models.

An MBA undoubtedly offers a robust toolkit of skills and resources beneficial for entrepreneurs. The network, knowledge, and credibility gained from a reputable business school can significantly boost an entrepreneur’s confidence and capability. The exposure to case studies, business simulations, and access to industry leaders can offer insights that might otherwise take years to accumulate.

However, the drawbacks of an MBA as an aspiring entrepreneur are also self-evident. The financial investment and time commitment required for an MBA might not align with the urgency and agility often demanded in entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, the value of an MBA can vary based on the individual’s prior experience, the specific business domain, and the nature of the incident they intend to pursue.

Entrepreneurship is as much about learning from failures, adapting rapidly, and seizing opportunities as it is about structured knowledge. Many successful entrepreneurs have thrived without an MBA, relying on their grit, practical experiences, and ability to navigate uncertainties.

The decision to pursue an MBA as an aspiring entrepreneur is not binary; it hinges on many factors. While an MBA can provide a strong foundation and network, its applicability in the entrepreneurial realm remains subjective. Entrepreneurs should carefully evaluate the pros and cons, considering their aspirations, financial standing, and readiness to embrace the uncharted path of entrepreneurship.

Ultimately, success in business ventures is a product of self-drive, vision, resilience, and the ability to adapt to an ever-evolving business landscape and transcends academic degrees. So the final call is always with an individual whether to pursue an MBA or jumpstart the rollercoaster of business without it.

Conclusion: Is MBA worth It?

The worthiness of an MBA program depends on various factors that I have discussed in this article; however, this program has something positive for every aspirant. A good MBA program will help you develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, leadership, teamwork, and presentation skills. These skills are transferrable to any organization, industry, and career path.

So even if you decide not to pursue a job and start an enterprise at some stage in your career, the management skills learned will also benefit you in your own business as well. Thus I would conclude by asserting that one can view an MBA degree as a kind of self-investment with the potential to pay a rich dividend in the long term career.

Kartikay Ungrish

Kartikay Ungrish is the Founder-director of Worthy Education Academy & Worthy Financial Services. He is a UGC NET-qualified Assistant Professor of Management, A MBA, a licenced mutual fund distributor, and a financial advisor. He helps people build wealth through prudent investments in mutual funds and other financial products. Start by creating your free wealth management account with him as your financial advisor.  Contact for more details.