Online MBA Degree Holders Earn More
Plain and simple, earning an online MBA can provide you with the skill-set necessary to earn a higher income.
According the College Board’s study Education Pays 2010, full-time workers over the age of 25 with professional degrees (such as MBA or law degrees) made more on average than those with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
Professional degree holders had a median earnings of $100,000 annually, which was:
- 80% more than those with a bachelors degree
- 49% more than those with a masters degree
- 9% more than those with a Phd
Benefits of Online MBA Programs
Online MBA programs allow you to earn an MBA degree without putting your career on hold. Flexible scheduling is generally the rule for most online MBA programs, allowing you to access the curriculum 24/7, and allowing you to work on coursework whenever you find it most convenient.
Many people choose to earn their MBA online so that they can continue to meet their short-term career goals, while working toward an advanced degree that will allow them to meet their long term career goals. An online MBA also gives you many more options when it comes to choosing a university.
As opposed to settling for a degree from the university closest to you, an online program gives you the option to enroll at reputable business schools throughout the US (and the world). An online MBA program won’t turn your life upside down by having you relocate just to attend the school of your choice.
Online MBA Programs Give a Quality Education
If an online MBA format sounds like a perfect fit for your lifestyle, but you’re skeptical about the quality of education you will receive, you’re not alone. Schools offering online MBA’s have been fighting for several years to overcome the ill-conceived idea that just because a student earned their MBA online, it is of lesser quality that a traditional MBA program.
The majority of online MBA programs (and all of the specialized MBA programs represented here on MBAPrograms411.com) are just as challenging and rewarding as traditional campus MBA programs. In order to meet the demand of working professionals, hundreds of private and public institutions across the country have adapted their traditional MBA programs into an online format.
Many online MBA programs offer the exact same curriculum – taught by the same faculty – while holding students to the same academic standards. Typically, the only difference in earning an MBA online is how you take the classes and access the supporting information. Online MBA programs leverage Web portals, discussions boards and streaming videos; assignments are submitted by uploading a file.
Scams, Shams and Degree Mills
Even though the majority of schools offer legitimate online MBA programs, there are still plenty of schools out there that are more concerned with making profits than providing a solid business education. In order to make sure you don’t get scammed, make sure you only consider MBA programs that have been accredited.
You can quickly narrow down your options by only looking for accredited online MBA programs which have received that designation from trusted and respected business organizations. Make sure to check the diploma mill police to make sure the school you’re interested in isn’t a scam.
Accredited Online MBA Programs
One of the most prestigious and oldest business school accreditors is The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB has been in existence since 1916 and has 620 member institutions. Another well-known accreditor is the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, which has been promoting excellence in business education since 1988. Currently, 529 campuses are accredited by the ACBSP as well as more than 700 MBA programs.
MBA Rankings
After accreditation, another metric you may want to consider is rankings. Rankings may help you gain a better understanding of online MBA programs and may be a barometer of the quality of a business school’s faculty, instruction, reputation, and students. Keep in mind, however, that MBA rankings are not a silver bullet. Make sure to research all of the MBA programs and schools that appeal to you, regardless of the ranking of the programs.
