Is Online MBA Worth It?

Is Online MBA Worth It?

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Dec 16, 2024 05:55 PM IST | #MBA

As early as 2017, even when offline courses were still in vogue, Nicole Cox, chief recruitment officer at Decision Toolbox, a national recruitment firm commented, "Schools got better at the delivery models, and hiring managers, particularly in the technology industries, became much more comfortable with it”.

This Story also Contains
  1. Is Online MBA Worth It - Pros
  2. Is Online MBA worth it - Cons
  3. Popular Colleges Offering Online MBA
Is Online MBA Worth It?
Is Online MBA Worth It?

She was referring to the acceptance of online degrees by employers as the universities grow with their online offerings. So, is an online MBA course worth it? A question that is asked by many. Here are some of the answers.

One of the end goals while pursuing any course is accepted by employers. While offline MBA is popular and is pursued by many, a big question is whether an online MBA is worth it or not. Are these online MBA courses accepted by prospective employers? Are they considered on par with the offline regular MBA courses? Some of the many questions when it comes to checking online MBA courses are answered below.

So, if you are wondering for yourself, is an online MBA worth it? What is the value of an online MBA in India? Will an online MBA help my career? then you are at the right place. Keep reading this article to find out the answers to your questions.

As you read this article, you will find the various pros and cons of online MBA that are supposed to help you decide, is an online MBA worth it in India. By the end of this article, you will be able to decide if an online MBA is good or bad for your preferences.

Also Read: Free Online MBA Courses from Top Universities

Is Online MBA Worth It - Pros

Now we shall dive into the pros and cons of online MBA. Some good reasons to pursue an online MBA course are summarised below. By reading this article, you will be able to understand, does an online MBA have value.

1. Industry recognition: Early last year, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the top 100 educational institutions in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) will be offering full-fledged online degree programmes. While the announcement was followed by the opening of the online degree programmes, the big question remained of industry recognition for these.

Amity Online MBA programme comes with career assistance. JagSoM’s PGDM(Executive) program has Corporate Mentors and Industry leaders handholding the students through their journey. An online MBA presented within your home comforts is worth every bit of your time. This is one reason why an online MBA is worth it. Like these, many online MBA programs offer various benefits to the participants, enhancing the value of online MBA in India.

Resource Links for Online MBA

2. Growth in Diversity: An online MBA can be a game changer as it allows people from all walks of life to broaden their horizons through the course. For working executives and their companies, online learning is cost-effective, student-centered, and convenient. Interacting with a diverse group from across the globe makes the enrollers culturally adaptive and respectful of diversity.

The opportunities to connect with individuals sometimes on a global level, is also another reason value of an online MBA is high.

3. Technological awareness: Online MBA introduces you to learning on a variety of platforms both for classes and examinations. For example, SIBM Pune has leveraged technology to bring innovation to its exam process. Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, each student is given a unique set of questions. Then, NMIMS uses the Lite-App, a mobile application for students.

Since most new-age employers look for students who are ready to learn and adapt to growing technologies, this is one more answer to whether is MBA online worth it.

4. Becoming a Self-manager: Do you see yourself struggling to manage your time? Well, one advantage of an online MBA is that it inherently puts a schedule in place, forcing you to plan your time for each day – for your sessions, assignments, and submissions. This you will do without depending on a classroom or a class teacher.

To be able to manage oneself and one’s time is one of the keys to employability. Studying online will help you develop this skill systematically. This advantage gives a 'yes' to the question of whether an online MBA is worth or not.

So, if you are still wondering, is online MBA good? You can go through some online MBA programs offered by the top universities in India and decide for yourself. Getting a detailed look into the top universities offering online MBA programs will help you answer the question, is online MBA degree worth it?

Also Read: UGC Approved Online Degree Courses – List of Institutes, Eligibility, Fees and Duration

Advantages of online MBA - Some statistics:

Now that you have gone through the list of advantages of an online MBA, here is some statistical data to help you further answer: is online MBA good?

  • According to KPMG, India has also become the second largest market for E-learning after the US.
  • The India Online Education Market will be US$ 8.6 Billion by 2026 as per a report by Renub Research.
  • The online education market in India is poised to grow by USD 2.28 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 20% during the forecast period, according to Technavio.
  • Nearly 48% of the population in India between the 15–40 age groups with high aspirations but lower income is a good target market for online education. And, the acceptability of online channels is high in the younger demographic as per eduxpert.in/online-education-india
Top UGC Approved Colleges for Online MBA
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With your online MBA, you join a group of enthusiasts who are preparing for the next generation of companies that are looking beyond plain vanilla MBA.

As technology advances, online higher education is becoming more accessible and embraced by tech-savvy students and businesses. These groups value the ability to study on demand because it gives them new development opportunities and mobility, boosting their success as learners and earners in an ever-changing global society.

An online MBA is a perfect channel for your self-discipline, career growth, and time optimisation. So, is it worth doing online MBA? Let's explore the disadvantages of online MBA to help you make that decision. Now while the good of an online MBA has been discussed, it is also necessary to discuss some disadvantages of an online MBA. These can be summed up below.

The disadvantages of online MBA do not hamper the value of online MBA in India, but they are just shortcomings in comparison to the benefits. If you want to know, is doing online MBA worth it? then you must consider both sides of the coin.

Popular Online MBA Specialisations

An online MBA degree is offered in different specialisations that students can choose from based on their area of interest. Some of the popular online MBA specialisations are as follows.

Is Online MBA worth it - Cons

1. Self-Management: While this can be a good thing if one is inclined to properly manage, in many cases, it becomes a disadvantage for students who procrastinate or are unable to manage various things at one time. For individuals who cannot work with self-management, this is something that must be considered while deciding is it worth doing online MBA.

2. Lack of teamwork and networking: One of the disadvantages of an online MBA is the lack of a peer group, group work, networking, and the usual camaraderie that is present in a physical class. Exchange of work experiences, social networking and such are generally not at the level of a regular MBA. This can make an online MBA not worthy.

3. Too much screen time: Since an online MBA requires a dedicated amount of screen time, it can be a bit of a problem health-wise. Eye problems, obesity, and other health problems may crop up to become a con to whether an online MBA is worth it. However, this is something that can be tackled with proper rest, exercise, and diet. Aspirants who cannot handle too much screen time should consider this factor while deciding if an online MBA is good or bad for them.

4. Sense of Isolation: Unlike a classroom, an online MBA is in a virtual classroom and hence the camaraderie that comes in a physical classroom will be missing. Since most students in the online classes would be virtual, reaching out or mingling on account of classwork may not work as in a physical classroom. Sometimes, it leads to a sense of isolation and disconnect; this can be termed one of the disadvantages of an online MBA.

However, the disadvantages are not that huge that they would make a big difference in the quality of studying an online MBA. In fact, most of them can be overcome with a bit of effort. So, although the cons of online MBA while deciding the value of online MBA in India, they are not a brick wall to your education. If you are still wondering, is online MBA degree worth it? Then you must know that the credibility of an online degree versus offline degree does not vary.

Popular Colleges Offering Online MBA

Several colleges and universities in India offer online MBA courses in different specialisations. Students must visit the official website of their chosen college and enrol in the best to fulfil their personal and professional goals. Below, we have listed some of the top online MBA colleges in India.

The COVID pandemic has brought home the fact that an online MBA is one more avenue to pursue one’s dreams rather than put a halt to them. Given the fact that the government has also endorsed this with the approval of many universities for online MBA degrees, it is now much easier to sit and pursue an online MBA at one’s comfort and convenience.

There are more advantages than disadvantages and that is why the answer is yes, if you are still wondering if an online MBA is worth it or not.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does online MBA have any value?

The value of an MBA degree is the same whether it has been obtained online or offline. It opens room for a variety of job roles in diverse industries.

2. Is online MBA as good as regular MBA?

Both online MBA and regular MBA have their own advantages and disadvantages. Neither of them is better or worse than the other, it depends on the individual what is suitable for their preferences.

3. What are the disadvantages of online MBA?

Online MBA has some shortcomings, such as no campus experience, lack of in-person connection, and lack of social life, among others. But these are all shortcomings that can be overcome with a little effort.

4. What is the fees of online MBA?

The online MBA fees are mostly cost-effective, varying from institution to institution. The price may vary anywhere between Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 5,00,000.

5. Does online MBA require entrance exam to take admission?

Some online MBA programs may require the aspirants to appear for entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, MAT, SNAP, and the like. Meanwhile, some other programs take admission directly on the basis of merit. 

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
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Questions related to MBA

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello,

Yes, it is feasible to pursue an MBA through distance education along with doing your CA articleship because ICAI does not prohibit it in the first place. But then you need to follow ICAI regulation, which states that a CA articleship requires full time commitment. To comply you have to inform ICAI about your intention to pursue the other course and seek prior permission through Form 112. Ensure the timings of your MBA classes, even if these are online, do not clash with your articleship hours.

Value of an MBA besides CA:

  • Improved Business Acumen : An MBA gives one a broader perspective on business management, leadership, and strategy, complementing the technical expertise one gains from CA.
  • Career Scope: With CA and MBA, you can explore finance, investment banking, management consulting, and senior management roles.
  • Networking: The opportunities to connect with your peers and professionals are available through the MBA programs, even when conducted in distance mode. Your professional network will widen.
  • Leadership Skills: The MBA program focuses on soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership that are essential for your career growth.

Align your specialization with MBA in your career goals like finance, marketing, or operations, to gain maximum value.

Hello,

The cost of an MBA in India varies significantly based on the institution. Here are the approximate fees for different types of colleges:

  1. Top IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management): Rs. 15-25 Lakhs per year.
  2. Other Prestigious B-Schools (like XLRI, ISB): Rs. 12-22 Lakhs.
  3. Private Universities (like Symbiosis, SP Jain): Rs. 8-20 Lakhs.
  4. Government Colleges/Universities: Rs. 2-5 Lakhs per year.
  5. Distance and Online MBA Programs: Rs. 50,000-2 Lakhs.

The fees depend on the reputation of the college, infrastructure, and location. Scholarships and financial aids may be available.

Hope it helps !

Currently,NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) does not offer an online MBA program; all their MBA programs, which are typically focused on Pharmaceutical Management, are delivered through traditional on-campus learning

NIPER conducts their own entrance exam NIPER JEE. You have to qualify GPAT in order to seat in NIPER JEE. If u will qualify in written, you have to appear in group discussion and personal interview. On the basis of combined Merit list of all written gd pi you will get admission.

NIPER JEE

ALL the best!!

No, GGU does not accept GMAT score for admission to MBA program. Admission to MBA program in GGU are done through CUET (PG) exam conducted by NTA. GMAT score are considered for admission to various business school like IIMs as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow,IIM Calcutta, indore, ISB Hyderabad and Mohali, XLRI Jamshedpur etc. to know more about GGU, admission, visit MBA courses in GGU Bilaspur

Hello

Career options for MBA graduates in the UK and the USA as both countries are home to thriving industries and multinational corporations.

Here’s an overview

1. Finance: Investment Banker, Financial Analyst.

2. Consulting: Management Consultant, Strategy Analyst.

3. Marketing: Brand Manager, Digital Marketer.

4. Technology: Product Manager, Data Analyst.

5. HR: HR Manager, Talent Specialist.

6. Healthcare: Administrator, Consultant.

7. Entrepreneurship: Startup Founder, Business Developer.

8. Operations: Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Analyst.

Key industries : Finance , Tech , Healthcare and Consulting .

For more details links given below

Link for UK

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/job-opportunities-after-mba-in-uk

Link for USA

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/jobs-after-mba-in-usa

Thank you

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