Is an MBA worth it?

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a postgraduate degree designed to give professionals a broad education across all aspects of business management. It develops a comprehensive understanding of how organisations operate, spanning disciplines such as finance, marketing, human resources and strategy, and teaches you how to apply that knowledge to real business challenges.

In Australia, MBAs are recognised higher education qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and are classified at AQF Level 9.

To determine whether the benefits of an MBA are worth what you’re investing in the degree, you should first understand what those investments are.

There are different types of costs that are associated with undertaking an MBA. They can include:

• Fees: MBA course fees for an MBA are the most straightforward costs to understand and plan for. However, they can represent a significant financial investment. Online programs such as the AIB MBA can be more cost-effective as we don’t incur many of the infrastructure costs commonly associated with traditional universities. We offer a number of payment options depending on where you are based during your studies.
• Study costs: These can include items such as textbooks, software, stationary and home office supplies if you need to set up a study area. They usually add little to the overall cost of an MBA, but are still worth considering. AIB provides all students with free, unlimited access to helpful tools including Microsoft Office 365 and LinkedIn Learning, helping reduce additional study costs.
• Time off work: If you pursue a traditional on-campus MBA or an accelerated MBA, you likely won’t be able to continue working full time while studying. Any time not earning a salary or maintaining your professional network in the workplace should also be factored into whether an MBA is worth it.

See also: How Much Does an MBA Cost?

An online MBA removes many of the barriers that once made postgraduate study difficult to fit around a career. There is no need to relocate, commute or attend classes at set times, so you can study from anywhere and keep progressing without stepping away from work or putting your life on hold.

Online MBAs can also offer strong value for money. You continue working while you study, avoiding the lost income that often comes with a traditional on-campus program, while the flexibility to learn at your own pace helps you balance study with work, family and other commitments.

The AIB MBA

AIB is Australia’s largest online MBA Provider*. Fully accredited and internationally recognised, the AIB MBA is a flexible program that allows you to earn your degree while continuing to work.

The AIB MBA is made up of 12 subjects across three nested awards: the Graduate Certificate in Management, the Graduate Diploma in Management and the Master of Business Administration. You can pursue a general MBA or specialise in one of five fields:  Finance, Entrepreneurial Management, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management or Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

The program is built around the realities of professional life. It’s delivered 100% online and designed to fit around busy schedules, so you can gain new skills, knowledge and connections without impacting your career progress or income. With multiple intake dates across the year and accessible entry pathways that recognise professional experience as well as prior study, AIB is designed to remove the traditional barriers to postgraduate study rather than add to them.

Instead of exams, you complete assignments you can apply directly to your own organisation or business from day one, so your study delivers value at work while you learn. This real-world approach is shaped in consultation with industry, and delivered by experienced academics and guest lecturers from world-leading organisations.

AIB students also join a global business network of more than 20,000 students, alumni, academics and industry experts from over 100 countries.

*see 20 Biggest Online MBA Providers, MBA News (July 2024)