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Just seeking some quick input on starting my MBA. I recently applied and was accepted into a good program (top 25) and have a few weeks to respond. I would be doing it online and working full-time, and I happen to live in the same area where the school is located. I understand the stigma surrounding online MBA’s, but this one was ranked near the top. It would allow me to continue working on my experience while maintaining my current salary. Additionally, I feel being in the same area would allow me to network with teachers and other students in a capacity that most online students can’t. The cost of the online program is roughly $40k, as opposed to $70k on-campus full-time, and I would be taking out loans for most of it.
The conflict arises from the fact that I could get a degree (MBA or otherwise) through my employer as well, for free. It is fully online, not too well known (though accredited), and my fear is that it would not do nearly as much for me as the one from the more reputable school. Not to mention, I’d have to sign another 2 year contract doing my current job, which I really don’t want to do at this point as it limits my ability for internships later on.
I currently bring in a little under $50k a year, and am not focused too heavily on money. I would, however, like to change industries to an area focused more in international business, and be able to pay off loans relatively quickly. I currently work in higher education. I’ve been actively looking to switch to something else for a while, yet haven’t had a ton of success and feel a business degree, with my current skill set, would definitely help. I’m just looking for some extra feedback before making a decision here soon.
Just seeking some quick input on starting my MBA. I recently applied and was accepted into a good program (top 25) and have a few weeks to respond. I would be doing it online and working full-time, and I happen to live in the same area where the school is located. I understand the stigma surrounding online MBA’s, but this one was ranked near the top. It would allow me to continue working on my experience while maintaining my current salary. Additionally, I feel being in the same area would allow me to network with teachers and other students in a capacity that most online students can’t. The cost of the online program is roughly $40k, as opposed to $70k on-campus full-time, and I would be taking out loans for most of it.
The conflict arises from the fact that I could get a degree (MBA or otherwise) through my employer as well, for free. It is fully online, not too well known (though accredited), and my fear is that it would not do nearly as much for me as the one from the more reputable school. Not to mention, I’d have to sign another 2 year contract doing my current job, which I really don’t want to do at this point as it limits my ability for internships later on.
I currently bring in a little under $50k a year, and am not focused too heavily on money. I would, however, like to change industries to an area focused more in international business, and be able to pay off loans relatively quickly. I currently work in higher education. I’ve been actively looking to switch to something else for a while, yet haven’t had a ton of success and feel a business degree, with my current skill set, would definitely help. I’m just looking for some extra feedback before making a decision here soon.
Online programs are really in two separate flavors:
1) Fully online. Don't have a resident section or campus at all.
2) Brick and mortar institutions with an online component.
It looks like you're considering doing #2, from a reputable university. If you do that, it is very likely that the diploma won't even indicate you did it online.
In many (not all) cases, online students are integrated into regular classes (the regular students are in the classroom, and there is a suite of equipment streaming the instructor to the online portion of the classes). In some other cases, the online cohort progresses together and often has an in-residence period periodically (e.g. once a year you have to physically go to campus for a norming session).
If you don't want to do a full time MBA, there's nothing wrong with these methods. I prefer in-person, but online classes take quite a bit of personal discipline if they are rigorous. A top 25 university will be rigorous-regardless of the delivery method.
I would bite the bullet and take it from the university with the better reputation. "Free" sounds great now-but 10 years from now you'll be asking yourself, why didn't I go for the better school?
Thanks for your input. Do you think it's possible to shift industries after or during an online MBA, assuming a decent amount of networking is done along with possible internships? My current industry (higher education) does not pay well enough to make up for the cost of an MBA unless you're in the higher rungs of management. I assume the MBA would help in that regard, but it would still take quite a few years before seeing any major payoff in this case.
The entire program is $40K, or is it $40K/year? If it's the former, that's not bad at all.
Like the other poster said, I wouldn't think of it as an "online" program if there is a reputable brick and mortar campus behind it. The online programs that have a bad rep are usually of the for profit variety such as University of Phoenix.
Are you looking to get into a new profession or just a new industry?
Personally, I think the networking factor of MBA programs is highly overrated. What you learn and the credential itself are far more important.
The entire program is $40K, or is it $40K/year? If it's the former, that's not bad at all.
Like the other poster said, I wouldn't think of it as an "online" program if there is a reputable brick and mortar campus behind it. The online programs that have a bad rep are usually of the for profit variety such as University of Phoenix.
Are you looking to get into a new profession or just a new industry?
Personally, I think the networking factor of MBA programs is highly overrated. What you learn and the credential itself are far more important.
I'd disagree somewhat with this thought. Many companies/firms recruit exclusively from the top MBA programs. If someone wants to work for one of these companies, getting the opportunity for summer internships and networking with company recruiters is a BIG deal. If you don't want to work for one of these companies then recruiting/networking doesn't matter as much, but many MBA students select their programs based on who recruits its students.
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