Career Switchers Weigh MBA Tuition Against Thin Admissions Odds
Aspiring MBA students are grappling with the high cost of programs, scholarship opportunities, and the competitive landscape for admissions. Concerns about ROI, career transitions, and program fit are prevalent.
SOURCES (60)
“I’m trying to understand how viable a move into management consulting would be for my profile after an MBA, and would appreciate candid views from people in consulting or those who have made a similar transition. Background B.Tech in Civil Engineering, 9.11/10, University Silver Medal…”
“Hi everyone! I recently graduated from college with a degree in Finance, and I’m trying to decide what my next step should be academically. I’m currently debating between pursuing an MBA or an M.S. in something like Data Science or Business Analytics. With AI becoming increasingly important and more companies incorporating data and AI into their operations, I feel like a more technical master’s degree could be valuable alongside my Finance background. I’m not looking to break into high finance.”
“Hi! 23M here, I am 2026 Computer science graduate(Indian) with 1 year hands on experience. I want to switch my career towards finance. So Ive decided to do MBA finance and move towards finance. Since my uncle lives in AUS I thought of doing the course there. How is the job market in AUS. Or if you can suggest me any other place or give me career guidance, it would be helpful for me! submitted by /u/Gigabyteee- [link] [comments]”
“Ive been working at capital one as a business analyst for a little over 2 years. Currently a senior business analyst Looking for a career change Im not too familiar with mba admissions. Im honestly new to this and im guessing I have a decent shot at M7 but would like a reality check and what to do to increase my chances Undergrad b-school at T25 US college (think uva, notre dame, vanderbilt, whatever) 3.84 GPA 2 years military service at foreign country Junior Summer intern at goldman sachs asse”
“Hey all, looking for honest feedback on my odds and strategy. I’m on a non-traditional path: started my bachelor’s later than typical and expect to graduate around 2028. Since 2023 I’ve run my own custom sewing/design studio as a self-employed entrepreneur. By the time I apply, I’ll have about 5 years of business-operating experience, all of it built concurrently with my degree rather than after it. My goal is to pivot out of design/entrepreneurship into consulting/finance/tech post-MBA. My main”
“Basically just the title. I have a STEM degree (3.9 gpa) and have been working in medical device sales for 3 years. submitted by /u/Yeuigo [link] [comments]”
“Hello! Background - I used to be an analytical lead for a Fortune 500 company and all I have is my BA in history. - I enjoyed the role, but I wanted to do “more.” - I took leave from my data job (I never quit, I still have it) and joined the army. - I currently work in military mental health. I enjoy it. So much so that I am getting my mpp/msw while I am on active duty since the army will pay for it and I have not even used the G.I. Bill. - my ultimate goal is to become fully licensed (LCSW) and”
“Profile Review (25F | 3.7 GPA | NO GMAT) Background * Female, 25 y.o., US citizen * College : T55 Public Business School, Finance Major * Work Experience: 3.7 years as a Big 4 Consultant in ERP Implementation space across different modules and various firms. 3 months as a Senior Associate. Stats GMAT : Not taken yet. Seeking waiver. Undergraduate GPA :3.7/4.0 Finance Goals/Info Overall Statement : I have built my career in Big Four consulting, specializing in ERP transformations and taking on in”
“Hi a few questions I could use some help with. For some background, graduated from top 20 undergrad in 2019 and spent career in tech sales. Recently laid off and have never loved sales so figured MBA may be a good way to pivot in tech. Is it too late to apply for Jan? Is it too much to pack all the studying and apps into next 2ish months? Is it going to make it much more difficult to get in if I’m unemployed? Thanks submitted by /u/Upset-Writing6071 [link] [comments]”
“Im thinking about getting my MBA. The program is online 36 credits. I already have a masters in accounting (pre covid) MSA was on campus accelerated 1 year program (30 credits) that I did while working full time in office and I wouldn’t say it was difficult but time consuming for sure Now I work full time remote and MBA is online but Im feeling really nervous it will be undoable. I feel like my MSA may have been easier because I majored in accounting and work in accounting and I got it 7 years a”
“I’m looking to supplement my bachelor’s in Project and Supply Chain Management with an MS in business, analytics, or something similar. I’m open to pretty much anything, but it needs to be low residency because of work and projects . Right now, Manhattan University is one of my top choices. They have some newer low-residency analytics programs that seem worthwhile. I was also recommended Golden Gate University (GGU), but I’ve heard mixed things about its reputation. So, Reddit family, any recomm”
“Hi everyone! I’m interested in applying to MBA programs with a healthcare management/healthcare administration concentration, and I’d love to hear from people who have taken a similar path. I have a BS in Biochemistry and most of my experience has been in healthcare/clinical settings, including administrative and associate level roles. I also have some auditing experience from undergrad. I’m interested in eventually moving toward healthcare administration, clinical operations, or potentially hea”
“Hi! I'm 25F with over 2 years of work experience within Risk Consulting at a Big 4. I want to move into Management Consulting and was considering doing an MBA, probably by 2028. My first preference was INSEAD, however, it's a rather short-term program and I am not sure if 10 months is enough for me to take the plunge from Risk to traditional consulting. Am I wrong though? Should I consider programs with atleast 24 months' duration? If there is anyone who has made this transition, I&#”
“Is it a good MBA program and what are the typical post-mba career prospects? submitted by /u/AccrualLifeCA [link] [comments]”
“I’m 2.5 years into my career in consulting/CRM, with a B.Com (H), I’m considering an in-person US master’s to transition into more analytics-heavy roles. I’m looking at top MSBA programs (Cornell/Ivy-level, UCLA, Kellogg, etc.), but I’m really unsure whether I should do an MSBA/MSDA/specialized analytics degree now, or wait and pursue an MBA with more work experience. Long term, I’m aiming for strategy/consulting + analytics/tech , ideally post masters progressing into senior/lead roles as I’ve”
“Hey guys I am looking way down the road because I will need to try to fund some of a potential future MBA if I end up going however, I am trying to decide whether I will need one for my intended career. For reference, I am currently completing my MSBA to get technical training and analytics skills. Here is kind of how I’m envisioning a possible path for my career: Undergrad: finance degree w/ university investment fund (worked as a portfolio analyst for the fund) Work experience: currently it’s”
“I’m in my early 30s, currently working in manufacturing with ~$145K total comp. I already have an approved H-1B and a green card process underway, so leaving my job for a 2-year FT MBA feels like a significant risk. I’ve been strongly considering a top FT MBA because I want a career pivot and really value the structured recruiting for investment banking, consulting and LDPs . IB is especially appealing because of the compensation and transferable finance skills, and I could potentially use it as”
“I’m 2.5 years into my career in consulting/CRM, with a B.Com (H), I’m considering a US master’s to transition into more analytics-heavy roles. I’m looking at top MSBA programs (Cornell/Ivy-level, UCLA, Kellogg, etc.), but I’m really unsure whether I should do an MSBA/MSDA/specialized analytics degree now , or wait and pursue an MBA with more work experience. Long term, I’m aiming for strategy/consulting + analytics/tech , ideally post masters progressing into senior/lead roles as I’ve also alrea”
“Hi everyone, I’m currently in the 4th semester of my MBA with Finance and HR as my specializations. As I’m getting closer to completing my MBA, I’m honestly confused about which direction I should take in finance. I’m interested in building my career in finance, but I’m still trying to understand which role would actually suit me. I was initially thinking about credit analysis/credit management, but after learning a little about it, I’m not sure whether it is the right long-term career for me. I”
“Hi everyone, I’m 26, French, with an engineering background and around 4–5 years of professional experience. I started my career in engineering consulting and progressively moved into business development and management. I’m currently an Agency/Business Manager in London, managing consultants, clients, P&L and commercial development. I now want to make a career switch into finance, particularly Global Markets / Sales & Trading, with a secondary interest in Investment Banking, Private Equ”
“Hi everyone, I’m 26, French, with an engineering/business background and ~4–5 years of experience in engineering consulting. I’m currently a Business/Branch Manager in London, with experience in management, P&L, clients and business development. I want to make a career switch into finance , particularly Global Markets/Sales, IB, PE or Wealth Management . I’m considering only top-tier programs (HEC, LBS, INSEAD, LSE, Oxford, etc.). My question is: given my background and level of experience,”
“I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree, and since I’m currently unemployed, I’ve been considering applying to Master of Management programs. However, due to the overlap between a Master of Management and an MBA, I was wondering if schools would still accept me into an MBA program in the future if I already have a Master of Management degree, since some schools won’t allow you to do a certain program if you’ve already done a similar one in the past. submitted by /u/Skithefool [lin”
“My dream school is Wharton, but I would be extremely happy with any of the other M7 or Ivy business school MBAs. Came from finance (investment banking) 3-4 years of experience from not so prestigious firms, my undergrad was at semi target state school but I went to a few different CCs before and some failed grades I retook for better grades, my final gpa was 3.7 or so. I have a 705 Focus GMAT. No real ECs except work related stuff submitted by /u/Rough_Caregiver3169 [link] [com”
“26M. I currently have a good, established finance job and 4 years of experience (in Nashville). Graduated undergrad (BBA, finance major) in 2022 and started this finance job in 2022. I don't necessarily need an MBA to do my current job, but I'm considering an MBA to broaden my options and potentially switch industries/functions down the road. The full-time MBA obviously means leaving my job for ~2 years, while the EMBA would let me keep working and earning a salary ($70k/yr). My thought”
“Hello everyone. For context, I am currently a Captain (O-3) in the Air Force and just finished my classic tuition-assistance fueled, check-the-box online MBA program. I originally was just doing it to check the box to make Major (O-4), but after much consideration, I don’t really care to stay in and would like to transition to civilian life in consulting or finance. For more background: I majored in finance for undergrad from a T30 undergrad program with a 3.5 GPA. My Air Force job does not tran”
“Hi everyone, I’m currently pursuing my MBBS in India and am considering doing an MBA in the US after completing my medical degree. A few questions I have: What type of work experience counts for MBA applications? Would clinical experience during/after MBBS count What other things should I be doing during/after MBBS to build a strong MBA application What is the realistic scenario for an Indian medical graduate trying to get into a top US MBA? Do medical professionals actually get seats at top pro”
“Context: I have 3 years of experience working as a Business Analyst in corporate strategy at a well known tech logo. My undergrad is in Math. I live near Duke/UNC, but financially cannot justify the high tuition from an ROI perspective. One reason for this is that I do not intend to move, so I cannot count on opportunities from around the country. This is also why I somewhat discount the networking advantage, as I know Duke MBAs from around the country will not always stay in the Durham area aft”
“Personal hiring experience, the MBAs are more experienced than the grads from the new 1 year in masters programs. I find that this group demonsrates more professionalism than someone right out of undergrad but still need to start in entry level roles. What are other experiences people can share? submitted by /u/SalvatoreTirabassi1 [link] [comments]”
“So I am genuinely confused between MBA OR EMBA, I am 24yo ACCA affiliate with a bachelors degree and 2-3 years of experience and I have decided to pursue my masters degree. I am eligible for both MBA and EMBA (executive MBA) from the same college. I am confused between the two. I did a little research and basically EMBA is meant for executive level people which suggests it’s not for me but it would also mean I get to study with executives which would give me an opportunity to better network and”
“So I am genuinely confused between MBA OR EMBA, I am 24yo ACCA affiliate with a bachelors degree and 2-3 years of experience and I have decided to pursue my masters degree. I am eligible for both MBA and EMBA (executive MBA) from the same college. I am confused between the two. I did a little research and basically EMBA is meant for executive level people which suggests it’s not for me but it would also mean I get to study with executives which would give me an opportunity to better network and”
“So I am genuinely confused between MBA OR EMBA, I am 24yo ACCA affiliate with a bachelors degree and 2-3 years of experience and I have decided to pursue my masters degree. I am eligible for both MBA and EMBA (executive MBA) from the same college. I am confused between the two. I did a little research and basically EMBA is meant for executive level people which suggests it’s not for me but it would also mean I get to study with executives which would give me an opportunity to better network and”
“Hi everyone! I’m an Indian f currently working for a large US-based FMCG company in Supply Chain Analytics, with around 3.5 years of experience in a technical/analytics role. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering. I’m looking to transition into finance. To build my finance background, I’m currently pursuing an Executive Programme in Applied Finance from iimc. However, I’m not sure how much this qualification alone will help me make the transition into a finance role. I’m the”
“It's no secret that the value of an MBA has plummeted over the past few years. You don't even have to look at the employment reports which are increasingly padded with fewer people reporting, you can see the change on this sub too. In the past few years IB and consulting used to be experience agnostic and you could switch from any career into them after a top MBA. Now they increasingly require relevant work experience and if you're an international even if you have relevant experienc”
“I am 49 male with an MBA done in 2004 and undergraduate degree in Engineering. When I finished my MBA i wanted to pursue research but personal circumstances did not favor it. Fast forward 22 years, I am in the wrong end of the corporate world. I am a Program Manager. Was laid off in May 2024 and have been consulting since. I am not sure how long this engagement would last or finding a permanent role will be feasible given the job market. I want to see if I can do an online or part time PhD over”
“So I have a BS in economics and over a decade of experience owning my own business (strength and conditioning), however, I would like to transition into corporate finance/FP&A, I feel like owning my own company has been a detriment on applications. So would an MSF or MBA be a better option for me? submitted by /u/vapid_rants [link] [comments]”
“Hi, I am deciding between applying for MIM for 2027 intake vs working 2-3 more years and targeting MBA. Profile: - Age/Gender: 22F, India - Education: UG Economics, Tier 1.5 college, GPA 8.7/10. 10th: 96%, 12th: 86% - Work Exp: 1.5 years at Big4 in Risk Consulting - Treasury, covering 11 international geographies. - Pre-grad: 2 years part-time with research institute on development policy. Led creation of inequality index + 40+ articles in national/international media. - Internships: UN body, US”
“Guys, i need suggestion!!!! I am very confused right now... i have completed my bachelors in 2026 june .. and now i have no job .. applying for 100s everyday and still not even getting my application viewed!! have given MHCET for MBA. I scored 90 percentile and only getting tier - 3, collges like PIBM pune, IIbs banglore, etc. I wanted to get into TISS college and thought of giving CUET in 2027 but I know I don't have that much sitting and motivation to study! So I am scared I would waste on”
“Hi guys. Yet another "does an MBA make sense for me" post. TLDR ; 4 YOE as a copywriter, looking for an ops role, will an MBA open doors? Graduated with an English degree in 2022 and have 4 YOE as a copywriter and content manager. My previous job was a <15 person business consulting startup, and because of how small the team was, I ended up working closely with the head of operations and covering some of her duties when she was on maternity leave. Loved it, and decided I want to get”
“Graduated in 2023 from a large state school, not majoring in a business related field, with a 3.3 GPA (COVID university was not great for my academics). Worked at a 3PL in operations and sales, then jumped to tech sales, working at two firms; currently an account manager. GRE practice tests are landing in the low 320s, taking the official exam next weekend. Wanting to jump into a general management or senior operations role for supply chain, looking at various LDPs. Looking at Kenan Flagler, and”
“Hey everyone. I’m considering a part time MBA and looking for some guidance. Here are my stats: 27, white, female, New England. I am currently working as a technical product manager (1 year), but moved internally to this role after a year and a half as a software engineer at a major tech company (not FAANG but well known). My undergrad degree is from a top 25 school where I majored in art history with a 3.7 GPA. I also have a masters in CS with a GPA of 3.9. I worked briefly in interpretation fo”
“context: I am swe at big tech. I am considering switching into the finance role, and debating between PT MBA and FT MBA. Realistically is the pivot possible using PT? submitted by /u/CryptographerSea3963 [link] [comments]”
“Looking to apply to a Part time MBA at a T20 in my City. Need some advice for my resume, especially on how to stand out despite being early career. Luckily, I have built a small network of recent alumni who also work at my current company. I am hoping to be able to leverage their network. Also curious on the general opinion of Part time MBA's. What makes it attractive for me is that my Employer is paying ~95% of the cost, with the caveat that I have to stay with the company three years post”
“I’m very interested in deferred MBA programs, but I’m unsure how competitive I am. I have strong stats and campus involvement, but I believe my weakest point is my work experience. I’m an accounting major and have an internship from PwC 2 years in a row and a return offer in tax but on an NTS team, which I’m told is an “elite specialized advisory team”, but I’m not sure if admissions committees will actually view this as different than traditional tax/audit teams. Does anyone have experience in”
“Background: I have around 4 years of freelance experience followed by 8 years of full-time experience in operational planning and operations management. I have been with the same organisation since 2014. My academic background is a Master’s in Arts. Over the years, I have tried to upskill through online courses and professional certifications, including completing PRINCE2. The problem: Despite having significant experience, I have been finding it difficult to secure a mid-senior level role outsi”
“Hi, I'm 31m, work at a car dealership, and I’m desperately trying to leave. I have a bachelor's in English, not business, but I'm still thinking about an MBA. I’ve been talking to friends, and some said getting a concentration in AI in business is better than data analytics. I’m just not down with AI, but with so many places relying on it, I'm not sure whether I need to suck it up or go the data analytics route. At the same time AI has been seen to be very unreliable because peop”
“I'm seeking an MBA so that I can better navigate networks of power and influence and expand the scale of my capabilities at a multi-billion dollar scale. I have a bit of a non-conventional background. I come from a well-connected family in my country - my name carries a certain weight on its own in the right circles though this is less so the case in the US, which I seek to change. I went to the country's best university and did alright there despite being highly involve in "extra-c”
“Hi All, I’m looking for some input on my current situation and whether I should aim to pivot to MBB consulting by way of M7/T15 MBA. Background: - Graduated UConn with a Mechanical Engineering degree this Spring, 1 year early (3 years) w/ 3.93 GPA. - Currently Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin (~3 months in) and my job is not challenging me nearly enough. I have pushed for more/more difficult work to no avail. Regardless, I already have a good track record of process improvements and I’ve help”
“Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice on whether an MBA would make sense for my situation. I currently work as a PM in the consumer goods space. My degree is in Animation (not really the path I ended up pursuing...)🥲. Through my work experience, I’ve realized I could use a stronger business foundation. I noticed this especially while working in Sales, where I struggled more with the analytical and numbers-focused side of the role because of my background. I’m considering doing an online Mast”
“Hi everyone, I'm trying to evaluate my chances for MiM/Masters in Management programs in Europe and the US. I come from a completely non traditional background. Here are my\_qualifications: **Bachelor's:** B.Des. in Fashion Designing **CGPA:** 7.9/10 **GMAT:** 715 (Focus Edition) **Work Experience:** 11 months as a Fashion Consultant at a luxury fashion brand. Around 2 years of running my own online clothing business. However, It isn’t officially registered yet. I also have a few gap yea”
“Hi everyone, I’m feeling a bit lost and would really appreciate some direction. I have an MBA in Marketing and around 3 years of experience in social media marketing, but honestly most of the work I did was quite basic and I feel like a lot of those skills are outdated now. I also don’t feel a strong passion for digital marketing. The parts of marketing I always enjoyed were more around branding, strategy, visual ideas, and design. I’ve learned some Adobe Illustrator and I genuinely enjoy creati”
“Hi yall, I’m a rising senior at a semi target state school and an incoming FT banker at a solid MM firm. Currently weighing my options as to apply to deferred MBA programs or not. My biggest blocker is that, to the best of my knowledge, these deferred MBA programs are full-pay, meaning the opportunity cost from attending would be that much higher. In contrast, applying after a few years would be more effort, but it could get me a solid scholarship to a decently ranked school, which might offset”
“I’m honestly at my wits end of applications. Graduated with an MBA at the end of 2024 and haven’t been able to land anything full time yet. Profile: Bachelors of Information Systems from African country, moved to the US in 2023 to do an MBA in a small university, graduated in 2024. Been applying to Business Analyst and adjacent type of roles, couple interviews but nothing permanent has stuck. I honestly believe the competition for these type of roles I’m looking for is just too great and I might”
“Hi all, I am interested in getting my MBA, not so much to move in my career, of course any plus/moves would be nice, but it is mainly for my own personal goals. I do not want to step away from work so I would love to do an online program, or part-time program with majority of the classes being online rather than in person. I am local to the central NJ area. I have looked into Rutgers Online MBA, but I'm not sure how it is through the Camden campus. I know Rutgers also has a part-time program”
“Hi Everyone. Apologies if this is a rookie question, but I'm hoping to be pointed in the right direction here. 37M, spent a majority of my career in Medical Device Sales and Pharmaceutical Sales. Currently selling in the Oncology space, which for some, would be classified as a prestigious vertical within the industry. I'd love to further my career and get out of the field- and potentially move to a more senior, strategic type role. One avenue would be getting promoted to a Regional Manag”
“I'm a first gen college student. 31F Black single mom. I already have an associate degree. I am back in school after 10 yrs to complete my BBA starting this semester and I plan to complete within 1.5 years. I have no idea what to expect for the application process for Columbia. My purpose is to build an international business. I've build and closed businesses before in the US and in South Africa but I done it haphazardly just based on survival and hard knocks but I want more of a formal”
“Hi, I’m thinking of doing an MBA or not really confused, for context I have completed my grad in BBA (finance) from Christ university & it’s been 2 years I’m working in corporate with decent salary I guess around 9 lpa ( in hand).. Does MBA really matter anymore?!? Or it’s the skills that can increase your pay.. ? Also if the answer is yes to MBA how do I keep my full time job and do an MBA, I work in India though in a hybrid mode.. is there any good colleges ? Apart from IIM & ISB pls t”
“Hey guys, I'm looking for some guidance for pursuing an MBA in London/Paris in 2027. About me (27M): Undergrad in Economics (USA) MS Quant Finance (USA) GRE - 326 Worked for 3 years in commercial real estate finance in the US. Extracurricular: Started a hedge fund club in college and authored a research paper about our trades. My aim is to lead investments/asset management across Europe and build my leadership, capital raising, and institutional investment skills. I'm currently looking a”