It is true that getting an MBA from a top-tier business school is better than a lower-tier business school. However, if you have a limited budget then it is better to get the MBA from a lower tire school than not getting the MBA degree. Regardless of the rank of the business school, getting an MBA degree will increase your knowledge and skills; you will get better job offers, higher salaries, and other benefits. The only downside of getting an MBA from a lower-tier business school is, most of the time employers choose an average graduate from a top-tier MBA program over even the top-ranking students from a lower-tier business school.
Key Takeaways
- MBA stands for Master of Business Administration and this degree mostly focuses on business administration and investment management
- Pursuing an MBA degree from a top business school will cost you around $100,000 for the full course
- Having an MBA degree will help you get top-level jobs with higher salaries
- It’s not a big factor whether you get your MBA degree from a top-tier school or a lower-tier school
- Some of the top-tier business schools for MBA are Stanford University, University of Chicago, Harvard University, etc.
What Is An MBA?
An MBA is a Master of Business Administration degree in Business. An MBA degree has the potential to elevate your career to a higher level. It is a professional degree and having this degree shows companies that you have taken a scientific approach to management. This degree will teach you how to be successful, effective, and efficient in business. This is what Elissa Sangster, CEO of the Forté Foundation said about attending an MBA program –
“There’s nothing about getting an MBA that doesn’t require initiative from that point all the way through your career, when you think about business school, there are so many great choices that are going to require you to pack up your apartment or your home and move across the country”
What Is The Purpose Of An MBA?
Getting an MBA degree will benefit you in many ways. The main purpose of an MBA degree is to prepare you for a role in management by providing you knowledge on various topics about business. Usually, an MBA program covers these topics –
1. Accounting
4. Business Strategy
5. Data Analytics
6. Economics
7. Finance
8. Leadership
9. Marketing
10. Operations
11. Business Law
The above courses are important for people who want to build their career in the management field. Having an MBA degree will help you get top-level jobs with higher salaries. Moreover, you will be reasonable for addressing various business-related issues. Moreover, you will be responsible for the overall report, forming marketing strategies, etc. So, an MBA degree will prepare you for a variety of roles that includes –
1. Finance Manager
2. Financial Advisor
3. HR Manager
4. Investment Banker
5. IT Manager
6. Management Analyst
7. Management Consultant
8. Marketing Manager
Does It Matter Where You Get Your MBA?
Over the years, advanced education has become more of a necessity, rather than a luxury. Moreover, the modern job market has a high demand for postgraduate students but there are shortages of post-graduate candidates in the job market. Therefore, it’s not a big factor whether you get your MBA degree from a top-tier school or lower-tier school. However, there are some disadvantages to getting an MBA degree from a lower-tier school. Lower-tier business schools might not have the brand recognition, popularity, or rankings that tier one or b-class schools may have. So, it might have a potential negative impact on your future career opportunities.
On the other hand, top-tier schools have strong alumni networks and employment pipelines, so getting an MBA from top-tier business schools will give you more access to coveted employers who often recruit directly from what is commonly known as feeder schools, or “core schools.” This is what Dee Clarke (independent talent acquisition consultant) said about choosing which MBA program to attend –
“There is great talent everywhere, but the challenge is where the most ROI is for companies that recruit directly from MBA programs. That is not to say that by going to a less prestigious school, you will not be able to be recruited by a top-tier company. It just means you will have less access.”
Types Of MBA Programs
| MBA Program | Students | Duration | Formats |
| Full-time MBA | Full-time Students | 1 – 2 years | One year, two years |
| Part-time MBA | Working Professionals | 2+ years | Evening weekend, blended |
| Executive MBA | Working Executive Professionals | 1 – 2 years | Part-time blended |
| Online MBA | Working Professionals | 2+ years | 100% online |
Top Business Schools For MBA Programs
There are lots of top-tier business schools available for MBA programs. We have categorized the business schools in the following categories –
1. Top-tier Business Schools for Full-time MBA Programs
2. Top-tier Business Schools for Part-time MBA Programs
3. Top-tier Business Schools for Executive MBA Programs
4. Top-tier Business Schools for Online MBA Programs
Top-tier Business Schools For Full-Time MBA Programs
| Business School Name | Tuition Fees | Enrolment |
| Stanford University | $74,706 per year (full-time) | 844 |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | $80,432 per year (full-time) | N/A |
| University of Chicago | $73,440 per year (full-time) | 1229 |
| Northwestern University (Kellogg) | $74,871 per year (full-time) | 1378 |
| Harvard University | $73,440 per year (full-time) | 1538 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | $77,168 per year (full-time) | N/A |
| Columbia University | $77,376 per year (full-time) | 1310 |
| University of California–Berkeley (Haas) | $64,246 per year (in-state, full-time) $68,444 per year (out-of-state, full-time) | 627 |
| Yale University | $72,350 per year (full-time) | 692 |
| Dartmouth College (Tuck) | $77,520 per year (full-time) | 569 |
Top-tier Business Schools For Part-time MBA Programs
| Business School Name | Tuition Fees | Enrolment |
| University of Chicago (Booth) | $7,344 per credit (part-time) | 1267 |
| University of California–Berkeley (Haas) | $3,464 per credit (in-state, part-time) $3,464 per credit (out-of-state, part-time) | 919 |
| Northwestern University (Kellogg) | $7,273 per credit (part-time) | 1098 |
| New York University (Stern) | $2,375 per credit (part-time) | 1251 |
| University of California–Los Angeles (Anderson) | $1,607 per credit (in-state, part-time) $1,607 per credit (out-of-state, part-time) | 910 |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Ross) | $64,109 per year (in-state, part-time) $69,015 per year (out-of-state, part-time) | 213 |
| Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) | $52,500 per year (part-time) | 80 |
| University of Texas–Austin (McCombs) | $117,000 total program (in-state, part-time) | 453 |
| University of Southern California (Marshall) | $2,050 per credit (part-time) | 638 |
| Indiana University (Kelley) | $23,085 per year (in-state, part-time) $39,339 per year (out-of-state, part-time) | 278 |
Top-tier Business Schools For Executive MBA Programs
| Business School Name | Tuition Fees | Enrolment |
| University of Chicago (Booth) | $194,000 total program (executive) | 167 |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | N/A | N/A |
| Northwestern University (Kellogg) | $108,918 per year (executive) | 527 |
| Columbia University | N/A | N/A |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Ross) | $168,500 total program (in-state, executive) $173,500 total program (out-of-state, executive) | 195 |
| New York University (Stern) | $204,000 total program (executive) | 244 |
| Duke University (Fuqua) | $149,500 total program (executive) | 179 |
| University of California–Berkeley (Haas) | $194,000 total program (in-state, executive) $194,000 total program (out-of-state, executive) | 135 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | N/A | N/A |
| University of California–Los Angeles (Anderson) | $83,996 per year (in-state, executive) $83,996 per year (out-of-state, executive) | 312 |
Top-tier Business Schools For Online MBA Programs
| Business School Name | Tuition Fees (Per Credit) | Enrolment |
| Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) | $2,187 | 122 |
| University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) | $2,025 | 717 |
| Indiana University–Bloomington (Kelley) | $1,380 | 1152 |
| University of Southern California (Marshall) | $2,050 | 219 |
| University of Florida (Warrington) | $1,208 | 502 |
| Arizona State University (Carey) | $1,247 | 450 |
| Pennsylvania State University–World Campus | $1,236 | 673 |
| University of Texas–Dallas | $1,617 | 299 |
| Rice University (Jones) | $2,036 | 151 |
| Lehigh University | $1,145 | 199 |
FAQs About Is It Worth Getting An MBA From A Lower Tier Business School
What Is Considered A Top-tier MBA?
A business school will be considered top tier if the world’s most elite companies like Goldman, McKinsey, Bain, BCG, etc. recruit from that school. Some of the top-tire business schools for MBA are Stanford University, University of Chicago, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dartmouth College, etc.
Which MBA Is Most Valuable?
Some of the most valuable and demandable MBA programs are –
1. General Management
3. Strategy
4. Consulting
5. Finance Leadership
6. Entrepreneurship
7. Marketing
8. Operations Management
9. IT or Technology Management
How Much Does An MBA Increase Your Salary?
One of the main reasons people enroll in an MBA program is to apply for higher-ranked jobs to increase their salaries. According to MBA.com, a new job with an MBA degree can earn as much as $115,000 compare to a new job with an undergraduate degree at $65,000. Though, your salary range with an MBA degree depends on the below factors –
1. The rank of your business school
2. The chosen field
3. Your position
4. Your past experience, etc.
How Many Years Does It Take To Get An MBA Degree?
If you enroll in a full-time MBA program then it will take two years to complete the course. However, some business schools offer accelerated programs for individuals who want to complete the program quickly and get an MBA degree. On the other hand, a part-time MBA program might take as long as three to four years depending on how much time you take to complete the total program.
Is An MBA A Master’s Degree?
Yes, an MBA is a master’s degree. MBA stands for Master of Business Administration and it is a degree that a student can receive after completing their undergraduate degree.
References: 1 https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/011415/when-mba-worth-it.asp
References: 2 https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/articles/2017-07-25/you-dont-need-an-elite-b-school-for-an-mba-to-pay-off