Is an Online MBA Worth It?

Whether or not to pursue an advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), is a big decision. There are many factors to consider — personal, professional and financial — including the realities of a changing U.S. labor market.

Here's what you need to know to decide if an MBA is right for you and whether you should earn yours online.

Are MBAs Still Worth It in 2026?

MBAs are still well-regarded by employers, according to insights from the most recent Corporate Recruiters Survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) — in fact, most of the employers surveyed in 2025 said they were planning to hire more MBA graduates than bachelor's-level candidates (GMAC PDF Source).

"An MBA can open doors across a wide range of industries and roles, including leadership, management, consulting and operations," said Dr. Enrique N. Barreiro, a senior associate dean overseeing online business programs at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). "Its versatility makes it a strong option for those looking to advance or pivot in their careers."

Barreiro has over two decades of experience in strategic leadership, himself. He said the MBA remains a strong choice for aspiring and developing leaders and business professionals.

Some of the best reasons for getting an MBA include:

• Having a recognized credential that can help you advance professionally
• Increasing your versatility and stability in the job market
• Experiencing a potential salary bump*
• Growing your professional network

The latest available employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that master's degree holders experienced higher median salaries and lower unemployment rates in 2024 compared to bachelor's graduates, further confirming the continued value of advanced degrees like the MBA.*

Read more: The 9 Best Reasons to Get an MBA Degree

What Are the Benefits of an Online MBA Program?

Earning a degree online empowers you to set your pace; how long it takes to get an MBA is based on your goals and schedule. If you take two classes at a time, for example, you could finish an MBA from SNHU in just over a year. If you'd prefer to take one class at a time — that works, too.

The flexibility of online MBA programs also may be particularly valuable for adults who are managing or balancing some combination of:

• Career ambitions
• Family commitments
• Financial considerations
• Personal goals and wellbeing
• Work responsibilities

"What surprised me was how easy it was for me to adapt," Kevin Bucardo '25MBA said of his online MBA program at SNHU.

He noted that he was able to carve time in his schedule for his assignments while keeping up with work, the gym and other commitments in his life.

"Being able to do school while doing all those things — that was what was surprising," Bucardo said.

Read more: Picture an Online Degree at Your Own Pace

What Does an Online MBA Program Teach?

Just like a degree earned on campus, an online MBA teaches business management and leadership skills. According to Barreiro, there are online MBA programs, like SNHU's, that offer experiential learning opportunities to apply what you're learning.

"SNHU’s MBA integrates scenario-based learning into courses, giving students consistent exposure to real-world business challenges," he said.

Barreiro noted that the online MBA program teaches skills like:

• Communication
• Data-informed decision-making
• Leadership
• Problem-solving
• Strategic thinking

"These are critical capabilities for managing teams and navigating complex business environments," Barreiro said.

Recent SNHU graduate Shannen Batula '26MBA, who earned an MBA with a concentration in Marketing online, said learning about change management and people management were the most influential parts of the program.

"I really learned a lot about how to lead people," she said.

Now, she's ready to put everything she learned to use. "An MBA is absolutely worth it," Batula said. "I can stand here today, after a couple of years of a lot of hard work and say, absolutely, it's worth it."

Read more: What Does an MBA Teach You?

Is an Online MBA Respectable?

Although campus and online programs offer different experiences, according to Blais, they deliver the same impact. "They are the same degrees that offer high quality at an affordable price," Blais said of SNHU's campus and online MBA programs, noting that both programs are Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited.

Some believe online options are the future of education.

For Theresa Dominguez '21 '23MBA, balancing her career while earning her MBA was an important decision. But she knew that earning her MBA online degree would be worth it. “It definitely made sense," she said, because she felt it would help boost her career path.

After completing her program, she leveraged the skills she developed during her studies to support her career growth.

What Jobs Can You Get With an Online MBA?

An online MBA can prepare you for all the same roles as a campus MBA program.

"An MBA typically prepares graduates for senior leadership and strategic roles (...) where broad business acumen, financial decision‑making and cross‑functional leadership are required," said Michelle Caron, PhD, CPC, an associate dean of online programs at SNHU with over 20 years of experience in higher education.

She noted examples such as:

• C‑suite executives
• Managers
• Senior directors

"If your goal is advancement into upper management or having broad authority, the MBA would be preferred," Caron said.

Beyond leadership roles like those, deciding on a concentration within an online MBA program could prepare you for more specialized roles, too.

"I recommend considering the types of roles and industries you want to pursue and selecting a concentration aligned with your interests that addresses skill and knowledge gaps, supports career advancement and long‑term growth, strengthens your professional brand, and keeps your career options flexible," Caron said.

There are many types of MBA concentrations to choose from. Whether you want to focus on a particular aspect of business or stay more general, some of the 15+ concentrations may include:

• MBA with a concentration in Accounting
• MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics
• MBA with a concentration in Finance
• MBA with a concentration in Human Resources
• MBA with a concentration in Operations & Supply Chain Management

Keep reading: What Can You Do With an MBA?

Is It Ever Too Late to Get an MBA?

You don't need to earn an MBA right after finishing your bachelor's degree or by any certain age.

When Jeffrey Harris '23MBA earned his MBA with a concentration in Leadership online from SNHU, he already had over a decade of business experience under his belt.

"I didn't realize how much I could expand my understanding and depth in the field of business," he said. "I didn't think there was a whole lot I could learn, and I was exceptionally wrong."

While celebrating his MBA at his graduation ceremony, Harris said he still wasn't finished learning, noting plans to earn a doctorate next.

Even if you earned your bachelor's degree in a subject other than business, it's not too late to earn an MBA, according to Caron.

"The MBA program offers two foundation courses designed to bring you up to speed as you begin your coursework," she said of SNHU's online degree. "You can even use them as general business electives towards completing your program."

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Nicholas Patterson ’22 ’25MFA is a writer based in West Michigan with several years of experience as a content creator in higher education. He’s an alumnus of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he earned both his bachelor’s in English and creative writing and his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. When his head’s not in novels, you can find him outside dreaming up his own stories. Connect with him on LinkedIn.