Is Completing an MBA Worth it? Six Reasons for and Against

If you are considering earning a Master’s in Business Administration, which is a graduate degree that focuses on business, finance, entrepreneurship, and management, you should first spend time evaluating the pros and cons of completing an MBA.

For some people, it will make sense to enroll in an MBA program. But that does not mean it is the right route for everyone.

Start by looking at the following six reasons for and against taking an MBA so you can determine whether it is worth it.

Three Reasons for Completing an MBA

Let us begin by first looking at the reasons for completing an MBA.

Three of the top reasons are: you gain the potential to learn a lot more, you have the ability to access better job positions, and you have the opportunity to earn a higher salary.

  1. You Can Learn a Lot

One key reason for engaging with any kind of educational program is to learn more.

With an MBA, you can learn and master things like banking, accounting, marketing, macroeconomics, and microeconomics.

You can also develop your leadership skills and learn more via networking and advanced student programs.

2. You Can Access Better Job Opportunities

The more knowledge and skills you possess, the easier it will be to stand out in competitive job markets and gain a better job position.

Many companies hire MBA graduates because they have the financial and marketing expertise that others do not have.

Even if possessing an MBA is not a prerequisite for a certain job role, by having an MBA qualification, you are more likely to be chosen compared to candidates that have lesser qualifications.

Having an MBA also means you will be better positioned to advance in your chosen career, such as working in high-level managerial roles.

And if you are currently employed and looking to change your career, earning an MBA certification can enable you to be more flexible in your career options.

3. You Could Command a Higher Salary 

When you are able to attain better job roles, you will be able to command a higher salary.

You could also have better job stability.

So, it often makes sense to earn an MBA qualification.

MBA graduates’ average salaries are far higher than people who earn bachelor’s degrees. In fact, it is likely that you will earn double the amount that people with bachelor’s degrees earn.

Though, your salary will be dependent on the area of employment in which you enter.

While earning a higher salary is undoubtedly one excellent reason for completing an MBA program, you should consider all of the other reasons for and against doing an MBA before you decide it is the right route for you.

Three Reasons Against Completing an MBA

Now, let us take a look at three of the key reasons against completing an MBA program.

The cost, the time commitment required, and your choice of career path can all point toward reasons not to undertake an MBA.

  1. The Cost Can Be High

Completing an MBA can be a significant financial investment.

In addition to course fees, you will need funds for things like textbooks and living costs.

Plus, you will not have the time to work full-time while undertaking your studies.

Though, thankfully, it is easy to get a low-rate MBA loan. Low rates on MBA loans will enable you to have the funds in place to complete your MBA program.

Also, the cost of completing an MBA is not all bad, as it can be more than worth borrowing funds to further your education when it means you can come out on the other side with the potential to enter lucrative positions and command a high salary.

Just make sure you know how much you will need to fund your years of study before you take the plunge.

2. You Will Need to Commit Your Time

Generally, full-time MBA programs take two years to complete and part-time programs take between two and four years to complete.

That is a serious time commitment, so you need to ensure that it is worth investing your time as well as your money in an MBA program.

3. You May Not Need to Earn an MBA for Your Chosen Career Path

If you have a clear idea of the career path you want to take, investing your time and money can be more than worth it.

But if you are unsure of the career path you want to take or if your chosen career path does not require candidates to possess MBAs, it may not be worthwhile completing an MBA.

Though, you may want to consider completing other types of courses that are suitable for your career plans.