Online MBA vs. In-Person: Which Is Better for You?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) unleashes exciting opportunities and instills a sense of creative problem-solving. This degree promises much more than merely an addition to your resume; it offers a deep dive into the compelling world of strategic management, revealing how aspiring leaders can develop a meaningful vision and leverage the resources and talent needed to bring that vision to life.
An MBA equips students with a variety of valuable skills: financial accounting, risk management, and other technical competencies, all in the context of ethical and global leadership. Students emerge feeling empowered to tackle today’s most pressing business challenges — all while rapidly advancing in their careers.
Another advantage is the flexibility of the modern MBA, which can be earned online, in person, and on a part-time or full-time basis. This helps ensure flexibility for working students, who can balance coursework and professional obligations while drawing on their work experience to contextualize core concepts.
Flexible learning solutions open the MBA experience up to a wider range of passion-driven students, but they must decide on a program format. There is much to consider: scheduling, tuition, and long-term career goals, to name a few.
Overview of Online MBA Programs
The online MBA entails a virtually-accessible graduate-level degree program, which uses digital platforms to ensure access from almost any location. These programs share online formats but can differ substantially in their approaches to course delivery. They may adopt modules to promote deep understanding and concept mastery, and use live sessions, team learning experiences, or interactive media to bring key concepts to life.
Online programs appeal greatly to remote and working students, who may otherwise be unable to access classes due to geographic distance or scheduling obstacles. These busy professionals may find it easier to juggle academic and professional obligations when navigating an online program developed with working students in mind.
Referencing the increasing popularity of online programs, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) points to the “post-pandemic attitudes toward work collide[ing] with a new generation of applicants expecting greater flexibility,” adding that many students now gravitate toward “programs delivered through more adaptive means.”
Flexibility should not be mistaken for reduced expectations or less rigorous coursework. Online MBA curricula remain challenging and thought-provoking, designed to promote innovative thinking and management expertise.
Overview of In-Person MBA Programs
In-person or “traditional” MBA programs revolve around face-to-face learning, including a blend of lecture courses and practical experiences like internships or capstones. Increasingly, however, these programs draw on certain tools or techniques that have proven impactful in the online environment, such as simulations or advanced and interactive media.
In-person programs appeal to students who crave maximum engagement or learn better in the traditional classroom environment. These students may not face as many scheduling obstacles as their online counterparts, or they may simply find it easier to focus or engage in a physical classroom context.
Other students may be drawn to in-person programs because they offer robust networking opportunities — a major advantage for those with limited professional contacts. These networking advantages are increasingly replicated through innovative online strategies, but some students continue to prefer face-to-face contact.
In an effort to improve access to in-person learning opportunities, numerous MBA programs offer evening and weekend classes that accommodate working students. A Full-Time MBA program offered in person may allow students the flexibility to customize their career pathways and curricula to dive as deep (or remain as broad) as they prefer. Additionally, these programs encourage students to take advantage of on-campus resources, ranging from career services and learning communities to academic advising and counseling services.
Online vs. In-Person MBA
Online and in-person MBA programs share much in common. Both aim to equip students with in-demand skills, including technical competencies, analytical abilities, and soft skills such as communication and creativity. These programs integrate diverse skills and concepts while encouraging students to consider far-reaching ethical implications and their own career goals.
Curricula can look similar between online and in-person MBAs, with both offering foundational insights into economics, accounting, and risk management, along with opportunities to explore key concepts from a global perspective.
The most meaningful differences relate to course delivery, as each format offers distinct learning advantages (plus a few potential challenges). Below, we discuss some specific nuances of the online MBA vs. in-person:
Flexibility and Convenience
Online programs are ideal for those seeking enhanced flexibility. Digital platforms ensure that students can access course materials as they see fit. Under this setup, nearly any environment can be conducive to learning, so long as a computer and a reliable internet connection are available.
Program flexibility relates, in part, to synchronous vs. asynchronous coursework. Asynchronous classes are uniquely flexible, with students encouraged to learn at their own pace. This can further boost accessibility and time management but at the potential cost of immersion or in-person networking opportunities.
In an effort to capture the interactive and highly personable nature of in-person learning, many online MBA programs emphasize synchronous classes, in which students and faculty members enjoy the opportunity to discuss central concepts or work as teams in real time — albeit from different locations. Live sessions foster connection while encouraging students to learn from one another.
Cost and Affordability
While an MBA can produce an impressive return on investment (ROI), this partially depends on the upfront cost of completing the program. This may vary considerably from one program to the next as well as play a pivotal part in determining which type of degree students pursue.
Various factors influence the cost of graduate school, and tuition is just one piece of the puzzle. Living expenses, commuting, and format all matter, and with online programs, these concerns may be easier to manage in a budget-friendly manner. Online students do not need to relocate or budget for gas or parking and may also benefit from reductions in tuition and fees as compared to in-person courses.
Another crucial consideration: remaining employed while pursuing an MBA. This may be just as impactful as the cost of tuition, especially for established professionals. Though both in-person and online MBA programs promise to support working students, it can be difficult to juggle busy work schedules with in-person classes — particularly when commuting to campus enters the picture.
Online classes remove a number of barriers, allowing students to log in from remote locations. They can continue to earn full-time wages and, upon graduating, leverage both work experience and MBA credentials to achieve rapid career progression.
Networking Opportunities
Networking is critical to professional success, offering in-depth insight into promising job opportunities and career resources. The right connections can provide a clear competitive edge while also helping business professionals keep abreast of key trends. For instance, insights across multiple studies and surveys indicate that the majority of job openings are not published to the public, with many of these roles instead filled by organizations internally or thanks to personal and professional connections.
While networking can take many forms, MBA programs boost this process by providing extensive exposure to talented and ambitious students — who may share similar goals and bring a wealth of unique experiences to the table.
MBA-based networking can have a ripple effect. Connections formed through MBA programs may eventually give way to other equally beneficial business relationships. Different students may naturally gravitate toward different networking mechanisms, however, and this is where the online vs. in-person MBA experiences can differ.
With in-person MBA programs, face-to-face discussions and engaging group projects help students get to know one another. In addition, more casual interactions should not be discounted, such as in-person greetings at the beginning of class or even group study sessions at a local coffee shop. To some students, the collaborative nature of these interactions may feel more genuine or natural.
However, as online platforms offer immersive learning opportunities, they can capture the personable appeal of in-person formats. Live sessions are key; these make other virtually connected students and faculty members feel more accessible. Team experiences further enhance these connections and help students relate authentically. These experiences can form the basis for a wider, more extensive, and well-connected network across geographic boundaries.
Learning Experience and Curriculum
Strategic thinking is an MBA priority, but different courses and modules provide different takeaways on how to leverage strategic tools and techniques for business problem-solving. Although online and in-person MBA programs emphasize similar concepts, their curricula may vary slightly in response to differing formats or learning experiences.
Some in-person programs offer access to a broader range of electives, which may appeal to students with specific learning goals or clearly defined intentions for addressing skill gaps. These students could, for example, tailor their program to emphasize business acumen in the context of the healthcare sector or as a vehicle for boosting social impact.
In both online and in-person courses, experiential learning yields lasting takeaways, helping students connect to and engage with complex course material. With online classes, simulations and case studies encourage students to delve deeper and think critically about how they might approach a range of business scenarios.
Online MBA vs. In-Person FAQ:
Still not sure which program is right for you? There is no one ‘ideal’ way to pursue an MBA; it all boils down to professional goals and personal preferences. As you plan for the future, consider your career path and current lifestyle. This will help you understand what you stand to gain from an MBA and how various formats can support you along the way.
To help you make this decision, we’ve addressed several relevant questions below:
Are online MBA programs easier to get into?
Online and in-person MBA programs may vary in their eligibility standards — including whether they call for bachelor’s degrees, official transcripts, or written essays. GMAT or GRE scores can enhance applications but are not always strictly required for MBA admissions. Acceptance rates may be higher for some online programs due to the inherent size limitations for in-person learning.
Do employers care if your MBA is online?
Employers value both online and in-person MBA programs, recognizing that both provide similar curricula and exposure to highly regarded faculty members. To that end, MBA formats are not often referenced in resumes or during interviews. Simply highlighting your MBA (and the targeted skills it has helped you develop) should be sufficient.
Does it matter if you get your MBA online or in person?
Both online and in-person MBA programs have much to offer: diverse curricula, robust networking opportunities, and resume enhancement. This decision matters, but mainly from a personal perspective. Choose the program that works best for your budget, location, schedule, life obligations, and learning style.
Learn More About Earning an Online MBA
As you plan for an exciting academic and professional future, look to the Boston University Questrom School of Business for opportunities to expand your management skill set and build your professional network. Our Online MBA (OMBA) program promises flexible scheduling but also captures the beneficial elements of the in-person experience, offering an integrated curriculum and the chance to connect with passionate individuals. Get in touch today to learn more about our 100% Online MBA, or begin your application for admission.
