MBA Candidates Questioning Program Value & ROI
11 posts across 3 communities in the last 30 days; 82% from r/MBA.
“I'm confused between the two and can't decide which one would be a better investment for my future career and job opportunities. I'm interested in and reasonably good at both fields, so I'm mainly trying to understand which degree has better career prospects, job opportunities…”
“Background: 29, woman, single, currently working in a role I could stay in. I'm deciding between a part-time MBA and staying in Atlanta and relocating for a full-time program. I'm only targeting M7/T10 — if I don't get into that tier I'll skip the degree, so please don't talk me…”
“If your career is going well and you’re already moving into senior roles, would you still spend the time and money on an MBA? Curious whether people here did it to fix a career problem, or to speed up an already good career.”
Potential and current MBA students are grappling with the value proposition of pursuing a degree, considering factors like cost, time commitment, career progression, and whether it aligns with their personal and professional goals. Concerns exist about return on investment and navigating competitive job markets.
SOURCES (60)
“I've spent about 1.5 years at MBB and am going to stay for at least another 6 months for the promo, but I'm starting to think about what I want next and want some honest feedback and advice about the value of a MBA. I…”
“Some information about me: Age: 29 Location: Texas Education: Master’s in Data Science Current role: Senior Data Analyst, 6 years of experience total Salary: Approximately $95K base atm For the most part I would say my current role is actually pretty good, the main reason being that job/work isn’t very demanding. I’m realistically working only around 20-30 hours a week, and I work from home. I also like it because I work in healthcare and don’t really foresee myself getting laid off, unless I ju”
“Age -37 Yoe - 15 Industry - product software Current role - Enterprise architect Future role - GTM leadership Country - India Bachelors in engg Masters part time in software Never did a full time post grad as funds were a challenge. Can afford a MBA in US now with 60:40 self funding and loan. Not willing to stay there or slog for h1b, just wanted a good education and exposure, a boost to the current role and advance in career. While I am willing to go for it as we live our lives only once and th”
“I'm confused between the two and can't decide which one would be a better investment for my future career and job opportunities. I'm interested in and reasonably good at both fields, so I'm mainly trying to understand which degree has better career prospects, job opportunities, and long-term growth. submitted by /u/Due-Radish-872 [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone, 23M accepted into KD MBA. The price tag is a bit hefty, I want to continue to grow within my current company, is there value in the curriculum to justify the price or is it mainly to assist in career changes or job hopping? Open to any and all feedback submitted by /u/BuddyMinimum [link] [comments]”
“The perception of MBAs in tech and start ups is wildly different than the impression perpetuated by school websites/redditors on here. Most find out the hard way (after matriculating) that MBAs don't open doors and provide clout like they used to. Here's a history lesson. Verify if skeptical: For early-stage startups and Big Tech hiring, the "no more adult in the room" shift happened The Death of the Professional CEO: In the 1980s and 1990s, VCs routinely backed technical found”
“Background: 29, woman, single, currently working in a role I could stay in. I'm deciding between a part-time MBA and staying in Atlanta and relocating for a full-time program. I'm only targeting M7/T10 — if I don't get into that tier I'll skip the degree, so please don't talk me into a program based on cost alone. I'm likely looking to pivot functions rather than climb in place. The career questions I can't get a straight answer on: 1. How much does part-time genuinel”
“If I can’t afford a top MBA and afford to quit my job, do people feel doing the Boston University online MBA program? Will it still help advance my career Thoughts on if MBA is worth it if it’s not a top university? submitted by /u/That_Chocolate6825 [link] [comments]”
“I am an English studies MA student. I need a job that pays decently well. Is an MBA worth it? submitted by /u/confused_tapper [link] [comments]”
“Hi, Would love advice on whether I should leave a job I’m learning a ton from to pursue an MBA abroad, or stay another 1–2 years and build more experience first. 26F, based out of an African country. Working within the MERL space for an INGO, making about $65k p/a (excl. benefits). Almost 6YOE in research, comms & advocacy for int. development. BSc. Biochem, Msc. Bioinformatics (Initially planned to become a geneticist but changed my mind after Masters and decided to focus on work experience”
“Hi everyone, I’ve been feeling really confused lately and I can’t seem to make up my mind about what direction I want to go in. I decided to pursue an MBA because my undergraduate degree is in business. I originally worked in finance, but I didn’t enjoy it, so I moved into HR. More recently, I got a job as an HR manager, but I left within about six months because I realized I didn’t really enjoy being a manager either. Now I’ve started my MBA, and I still have a little bit of time before the dea”
“If your career is going well and you’re already moving into senior roles, would you still spend the time and money on an MBA? Curious whether people here did it to fix a career problem, or to speed up an already good career. submitted by /u/MarchPlastic1650 [link] [comments]”
“Hi folks, I’m 24F and have completed my Master’s in English Literature. I’ve been working in sales for the past 3 years, all with the same startup. Currently, my CTC is around 8–10 LPA, including incentives. I genuinely have a good relationship with my colleagues and the work environment is quite positive. The company also has a good incentive structure, so financially, I’m not doing too badly. However, the main issue is career growth. It’s been 3 years and I haven’t received a promotion yet. Si”
“I’m currently researching MBA colleges in Tier-2 cities and keep hearing completely opposite opinions. Some people say a good Tier-2 college can offer better ROI, lower living costs, less competition, and decent placements, while others argue that location, brand value, corporate exposure, and networking make metro-city colleges a much better choice. For those who are currently studying at or have graduated from a Tier-2 MBA college: - Was it worth it for you? - How were the placements”
“I’m 28F from an elite university in South Asia. I have 4 years of experience in marketing & advertising, with managerial experience primarily on the agency side. I’m hoping to break into PMM roles after the MBA at consumer tech firms or a fortune 500 company. My CGPA is 3.4/4.00 in Econ and my GRE is a 317. I’m hoping for a more affordable MBA hence am considering Singapore. I’m not too knowledgeable about the financial aid or scholarship situation in other locations but would love some advi”
“Graduated M7 MBA ~20 years ago and have never yet figured this out 😂 submitted by /u/BKitchenConfidential [link] [comments]”
“My case being, I have "some" working experience there and there but not much, very little in management. Some additional experience in entrepreneurship. I do have a Master's degree in another field tho. Now I am 30. Of course I want a good job with a decent salary. That being said, I have an opportunity to do an MBA in a top school, that would take 1 year and a half minimum (including internship) and cost substantial amount of money close to 100k which I would take from a loan. Is”
“Hello! I’m 28F considering going back for my MBA to pivot industries and try something new. I am not interested in a top school (sacrilegious I know) because I want to stay local to where I am now and have no plans to live anywhere like NYC/SF/Chicago etc ever again. I’m in Denver so strongly considering Leeds since it’s sort of my only option and imagining I could get some scholarship with my scores. I’d be doing a full-time program. Would love to hear some experiences of any women out there th”
“I recently was promoted to senior program manager at my small company in education. I like managing people and setting up programs but working at this small company there’s not much pay. I’m curious if an MBA would help me grow those skills and allow me to make a transition to a different field like business or finance. Does anyone have any advice? submitted by /u/David_Jets [link] [comments]”
“Friend (30+ F) is starting her MBA at Booth this fall and has explicitly stated (even written an article) about how the main goal of her MBA is to find a husband. To each their own, but I find this mindset to be incredibly shortsighted and I worry for the men in the program lol. Don’t men see through this? Is Booth even conducive for finding a husband for a 30+ F ? (To be clear, there is nothing wrong with strategic dating, but this person is explicit that their main goal from the MBA is to walk”
“Hi all, I’m trying to figure out whether an MBA is worth it for my goals and would appreciate honest feedback on my chances. Goal: Land a program, project, or product manager role in big tech ideally FAANG, in any of those three roles. Undergrad: State school, civ engineering, 3.3 GPA. Test: Planning to apply with a test waiver, but I may prep for the GRE and apply in Round 2 instead. Work experience: Started as an engineer, then moved into an owner’s rep role supporting a large tech company’s r”
“Hi all, Considering if an MBA is the right choice for me.... would love some outside perspective to help me navigate this decision. For background on who I am: I'm a 34M living in Austin Texas. I'm a CPA an a Manager of Technical Accounting/SEC Reporting at a publicly traded company. I've been in Accounting for about 10 years now. Currently, my salary is 145k base, 10% bonus, and approximately $20-30k/yr of RSUs. Total comp is right around $180k-190k/yr. I feel like I still have room”
“Assume 100-150k MBA students. Throw out the top 5-10 schools (assume 5-10% of students). That leaves 90% of the MBA population who made a decision largely based on one question: how much will my earning power increase if I get an MBA? Obviously, there’s more that goes into the decision and the value of a degree, but comp stats are critically important to the process. Most credible MBA programs outside the top 5-10 claim base salaries of $100-175k. But how do you think MBA programs report on inte”
“I'm a 24 year old from the UK living and working in London in data analytics. I've got a good industry role which pays quite well and has great perks and wlb. I work around 30 hours a week and make £60k a year total comp. I know that may sound low to the Americans in the sub but if you're from the UK you'll know that £60k at 24 is a high salary especially given how terrible the UK job market and pay is. I've recently inherited £200k (about $270k USD) which is by no means '”
“Hi everyone, I’m 27 years old and currently working as a Software Developer in a service-based company, with 5+ years of work experience. I’m planning to pursue an MBA from a top B-school, but I’m confused between an Executive MBA and a Full-Time MBA. For someone with 5+ years of experience in the IT industry: Which option would be better for career growth? Is a full-time MBA worth leaving a job and losing 1–2 years of salary? Would an Executive MBA from a top B-school provide similar career opp”
“Is an MBA worth it today? In today’s job market submitted by /u/RowFine8705 [link] [comments]”
“I've been thinking about this a lot, especially after Nikhil Kamath's comment that doing an MBA in 2026 is "for fools." I don't completely agree with that, but it definitely made me question whether an MBA is still worth the time and money. I graduated a few years ago and then took a 2-year break to prepare for government exams. At the time, I thought this was the path I wanted, but now I'm honestly confused about whether I want to continue with it long-term. I'm co”
“I'm going to be 25 in a few months and am trying to decide whether pursuing a top MBA makes sense given my long-term goals, or whether I'm better off continuing on my current trajectory. I'd particularly appreciate perspectives from M7 students/alumni and people working in real estate development, construction, or real estate finance. Background BBA - degree in Accounting GPA: 2.67 ~3 years of post-college work experience Worked throughout college and graduated without student debt R”
“I keep seeing completely opposite opinions about online MBAs. Some people say they're a waste of money, while others say they're a great way to upskill without leaving your job. For people who have actually done one (or are currently pursuing one): Did it help you get a promotion/job switch? How much did you pay approximately? Did employers actually care about the degree? Was the university name important? Did you feel the curriculum was practical enough? I'm especially curious about”
“I feel like most students I talk to are quick to think about an MBA before they consider other business master’s programs. A lot of schools also have specialized master’s degrees in finance, accounting, tech, real estate, healthcare administration, etc., but those programs don’t get as much attention. Do you think there are times where someone should do a specialized master's instead of an MBA? My read is that an MBA usually makes more sense if you want broader business flexibility and leade”
“My job pays for an MBA in full for its employees. I have a bachelors in health science that’s done nothing. I’m torn between either earning my MBA or getting a masters in my current field. Since having the bachelors degree doesn’t open any doors. On one hand I’m leaning to MBA because I feel like the information is valuable and if my company is offering to pay. Why not… since my bachelors basically useless I don’t really have a career in mind long term. I’m hoping this might help me decide what”
“I’ve noticed that when students discuss MBA admissions, most conversations revolve around college rankings and placement numbers. But I’ve been wondering whether the city itself deserves more attention. For example, things like: Availability of internships Industry exposure Cost of living Networking opportunities Startup ecosystem Growing industries Quality of life can influence the overall MBA experience and even career opportunities. For those who have already completed an MBA or are currently”
“If a university approached your company and said: Would you actually be interested? Why or why not? I’m researching how companies and MBA programmes could work together more effectively, and I’d really value perspectives from business owners, founders, managers, consultants, and industry professionals. A few questions based on your real-world experience: 1. What would make a student project genuinely useful to your business? Would you value things like: solving an existing business problem marke”
“I live in the US, have a salary of 100K (in hand) and I do see growth opportunities in my company. I also have a saving of 100k now. I’m in my early 30s. I want to do a MBA so that I get more options and also meet people who are smarter than I am. In my current job I feel like I’m the smartest and on paper and social media it looks like I have a really cool life but I always feel like I want to do something more with my life. MBA is a good way. But I also feel like with the current job market, a”
“I think the consensus is that MBA for people already in “high finance” is largely seen as unnecessary with the cost of tuition + opportunity cost of working instead being too high. Largely agree with this but I’m in a slightly more unique situation and was wondering if it would be worth it for my case, and wanted to hear some thoughts. Here are some context: Currently going A2A at a top BB/EB Not sure if I want to stay to become a director+, although definitely staying until vp, but might switch”
“Hi all, I want to ask about your opinion in help me deciding the right path. I am in mid 40s with two kids, making 125K and wife about 60K with a home mortgage. Have about 9 years of work experience. Want to pursue an MBA only for unlocking the commercial roles within the company and outside. My employer will pay for 10K per year and I can go beyond 3 years. Also currently wrapping up my PMP, extremely busy. After extensive searching, reading here and applying to my personal situation, I finaliz”
“Hello everyone - Needed some advice on career progression. Currently 27M and working at a top CPG company and making around ~$285K-$300K TC. At my current TC, is an MBA worth it? I believe I have a good shot at a M7 from my stats listed below. - Top 10 public university undergraduate 3.75 GPA - 332 GRE - Extracurriculars in community and at my current job - 2 Businesses (Retail) I’m afraid that I am getting too old to get an MBA but I also don’t know what I would do after an MBA. I do not want t”
“Hi everyone, I recently started my MBA with a specialization in Business Analytics. During our introductions, I noticed that several of my classmates have 2–4 years of work experience, while I joined the program immediately after completing my engineering degree. Seeing so many experienced professionals in the same batch made me wonder whether I'm at a disadvantage when it comes to placements. Some of the questions on my mind are: * Will candidates with prior work experience generally receiv”
“I got accepted to the Georgetown MBA off the waitlist two days ago, and I only have until this Friday to decide. I'm struggling, and here's why: Everything I'm seeing on Reddit is not really framing the MBA in a positive light. It seems like it's reputable but not like the undergrad, and they have a strong focus in politics, government/NGO, etc. For context, I am an entrepreneur living in NYC with a background working with startups focused on GTM marketing. I currently live in NY”
“Usually the good programs don't accept students without work experience. The MBA is pretty unique in this regard. Most other Master's programs don't care. People in the top MBA programs tend to have even more than 4 years of experience on average.”
“Yes, in overall terms you are at a huge disadvantage. Why? Because you have lots of theoretical knowledge, but you have never applied it in real companies or real business scenarios. In your case, an MBA sounds like an expensive piece of paper. The only thing I can think of is a top internship at a to company, otherwise you will struggle once you graduate Btw who goes for an MBA without work experience?”
“Have you looked into the Mannheim Business School? They offer a solid part-time MBA that’s pretty flexible, plus it’s well-respected in Germany. If you’re balancing family and work, their hybrid options might be a good fit without too much commuting.”
“Since you're from Munich, I know LMU/TUM are super popular picks. An online degree could also be a possibility for you. I did my MBA at WFI in Ingolstadt and had an amazing time. Since its a part-time and hybrid program, that could also be a really good option for you. Can only recommend!”
“Since you mentioned flexible programs so I assume you are looking for a part time program? IESE, spanish school, one of the best MBA programs in Europe has a campus/program in Munich. If the tuition fee matches your budget, this is a good option. Alternatively you can check ESMT Berlin, WHU, Frankfurt, Mannheim. They offer Part Time/Online MBA programs.”
“Ironically enough, yes. A friend of mine is in Houston, pursuing her MBA, one or two classes at a time, but gets paid about ~$200k gross so she is able to pay out of pocket. One of my cycle class instructors recently finished hers as well, and I was so happy for her that she was able to still keep her current employer and do cycle classes! I also think, because me and a male colleague were discussing online MBAs, that we see so much pressure and discussion about prestige, the price tag , and out”
“Not every bachelor compliments MBA or Not everyone pursuing degrees for learning would want to enroll Bschool for networks/experience. Sometimes you might find boring masters, PhD or more bachelors fun.”
“This was in 2021-2022 during peak woke and great hiring market, I doubt they’re still doing it to the same scale. It was marketed as “MBA fellowships” and similar “merit” payments only available for women and minorities, but functionally awarded to anyone who met the demographic criteria Article from 2022 with evidence of 40K bonuses: https://www.efinancialcareers.com/news/finance/ten-programmes-that-help-minority-students-into-investment-banking-and-how-to-access-them”
“Every bank cannot get enough women and fight over them like crazy. My year many of the BBs were giving tens of thousands in diversity bonuses to any woman who interned with them”
“Discrimination in business school due to being a woman. Discrimination during interviews due to being a woman, I had a statistic professor tell us that a woman didn’t get hired because she was engaged and they thought to expect babies and more time away from work. She didn’t have a baby for 5 years and she sued 🥲. Also it is expensive whether you take out loans or not. If you do full time, will the increased earnings potential at the job post MBA make up for lost income during the program? If y”
“I have two thoughts: 78% of women believe an MBA increases lifetime earning potential, but do those same people think it’s a good investment? IMO those are different questions. An MBA costs a lot of money. In the body text, you say “62% would actually consider pursuing one”. But then ask “if income potential is the biggest draw” I just don’t think it is. I think being a doctor or going into IB would make me more money, but I’m going into a different career field for many other reasons.”
“I believe an MD increases lifetime earning potential, but wouldn’t consider pursuing one. I also acknowledge that owning a business can increase earning potential, but don’t have in interested in ownership either. There are all sorts of things that people acknowledge will make them money without wanting to do it themselves.”
“That just means they see an MBAs primary value as increasing income, not that it’s their primary value or even important for them at all for what they want to spend their time on. If it’s surprising to you that people make decisions based on more than ROI, and you think you can clump a conglomerate group of “most women” into a single decision making framework.. I strongly suggest rethinking your methodology”
“I don’t doubt that, but that’s not what your post was saying. You stated 78% of women believe an MBA increase lifetime earning potential but only 62% would actually consider pursuing one. You were wondering why there is a gap. I’m stating that the gap could be due to other factors outside of the perceived value of an MBA. Things such as family considerations, happiness in current career/company, ability to pay for attendance, etc. Did your “talk with women” uncover any of those reasons?”