Is An MBA Worth It? How To Know The Answer For You

Studying an MBA – which stands for Master of Business Administration – could help accelerate your business career, let you pivot to a new function or industry, or help you land an exciting promotion. But since everyone has different circumstances and aspirations, is an MBA degree worth it for you?

There are so many reasons to do an MBA degree, but like any postgraduate degree, a master of business administration is a significant investment. As well as the financial outlay, many graduate business degree programs require you to take a year or two out of the workforce, or even relocate.

For this reason, it's important to work out if an MBA degree will help you achieve the long-term career success you're looking for, and what other business education options are out there for you to consider.

Here's what you should bear in mind when working out if going to business school for an MBA degree is the right next step for your career.

Broad business knowledge

An MBA degree could be worth the investment if you want to develop a broad base of business knowledge.

The typical master of business administration curriculum covers topics like corporate finance, strategy, marketing, organizational behavior, and accounting. MBA students graduate from business school with a good understanding of what each business function does, and how they interact with one another.

Opportunities to specialize

Some MBA degrees will also allow you to specialize in a specific area of business that aligns with your interests and career goals, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), finance, or human resources.

The curriculum at most business schools tends to be highly practical, with MBA classes centering on real-world case studies and group discussion.

If you want to take a deep dive into a specific area, or take a more theoretical approach to learning, an MBA program might not be the best option for you.

Accelerate your career development

Knowing your career goals can also help you work out whether an MBA degree is the right route for you.

MBA graduates find jobs in a broad range of sectors and functions. Some of the most popular industries for MBA graduates are consulting, finance, and tech, with roles in diverse areas like strategy, product management, marketing, HR, and business analytics.

Among highly ranked MBA programs, common graduate employers include Microsoft, EY, Accenture, McKinsey, and Google. But MBA graduates also carve out careers in less conventional areas like entrepreneurship a nd the nonprofit sector.

Change careers

Because it's a generalist degree, you can apply the problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills honed during an MBA degree to a wide array of career routes, whether that's fast-tracking your current career, or achieving a total career change.

This is exactly what Charlotte Burnett managed to do when she graduated from her MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Charlotte joined the MBA after serving in the US Army, and by the end of the two-year program, she'd secured a brand new career as an associate with JP Morgan.

“The MBA program was extremely collegiate and collaborative,” she reflects.

When it comes to using an MBA to change your career path, Charlotte's not alone. According to a recent study by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 50% of business school alumni change industries after their program.

The financial return on investment offered by a typical MBA degree is equally strong, particularly at the world's best business schools. Business school graduates from the Financial Times' top 10 ranked MBAs see an average salary bump of 119% three years after graduation.

Although an MBA can open doors in several different areas, it's not a good fit for certain career paths. Highly technical careers, such as working in data science or financial engineering, require a very specific set of skills that you're unlikely to get as an MBA student.

A lifelong network

If building a diverse network is one of your top goals, an MBA could be a great fit. Most MBA programs attract students from a broad array of professional backgrounds and nationalities.

Because the MBA curriculum relies heavily on class discussion, program directors want to bring diverse perspectives into the classroom so that everyone can learn from each other.

As well as connecting with your peers during group work and class discussions, MBA programs are well-equipped to put you in touch with would-be employers through business school careers services. You'll also be able to tap into a network of fellow business school alumni who can help you – and be helped by you in turn.

While the broad network offered by your business school is one of the most important benefits you'll get from an MBA, graduate business education isn't the only way to build new professional connections.

Other postgraduate programs also come with their own network – although in specialized programs you'll find less professional diversity – and it's worth remembering that industry events or online courses are alternative places to grow your network.

Alternatives to an MBA degree

Despite the broad range of benefits MBA degrees can offer, it's not the right fit for everyone – and there are other business education options out there.

If you recently completed your undergraduate degree and want to step into the business world, an MBA might not be the best fit. Many MBA programs require you to have at least two years' work experience, for example.

Master in Management

There are other graduate business education options you could consider instead, such as a pre-experience Master in Management (MiM). MiM programs are usually one year in length, and equip early-career students with the knowledge they need to get a head start on their chosen career path.

Specialized master's degree

If you want to dive deep into one particular area of business, you could also consider a specialized program such as a Master in Finance, Master in Marketing, or Master in Business Analytics.

EMBA programs

On the other hand, professionals who are already in leadership positions and have 10 years' experience or more might choose a different type of MBA called the Executive MBA (EMBA).

EMBA programs are almost always part-time, often taught through evening and weekend classes, so you won't have to take a break from your career. They focus more on leadership development and current trends than business administration fundamentals.

Is an MBA worth it?

Overall, whether or not an MBA is worth the investment depends on your professional goals, personal goals, and career stage.

If you're a professional with a few years' experience who wants to change industry or function, expand your professional network, or simply accelerate your growth in the business world, this type of business degree could be an excellent fit for you.

But for more technical careers, recent bachelor's graduates, and experienced leaders, other graduate business degree options will offer a better return on investment and place you where you need to be in the job market.