An MBA can help you strengthen your business acumen while building essential leadership and communication skills. It’s also a way to expand your professional network and gain exposure to real-world business challenges through case studies, group projects, and interactions with expert faculty.
When it comes to MBA programs, you have your choice between in-person, online, and hybrid options. For many students, an online MBA offers unrivaled flexibility, accessibility, and affordability. Let’s take a closer look at what this degree entails and whether it’s right for you.
The Advantages of Online MBA Programs
There are many benefits of getting an MBA generally speaking. And an online MBA offers several benefits on top of that when compared to a traditional, on-campus MBA. From added flexibility and better work-life balance to greater affordability, here are just a few of the main reasons students may pursue an online degree format.
Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of an online MBA program is the flexibility it offers. Instead of commuting to campus or adhering to a rigid class schedule, students can access lectures, assignments, and course materials from virtually anywhere. While some programs are fully asynchronous—allowing students to complete coursework on their own time—others may include scheduled live sessions or group work and projects with set deadlines. This level of flexibility is especially beneficial for working professionals or those managing other responsibilities.
Diversity
Online MBA programs offer greater accessibility to students who may be unable to attend classes on a physical campus, such as those who live in rural, isolated areas. Studying online also allows students from across state lines (or even across the country) to attend the program of their choosing, increasing diversity among cohorts.
Work-Life Balance
Many MBA students are already working full-time when they enroll, and the demands of a traditional MBA program can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Between working 40 (or more) hours per week and commuting back and forth for college classes, working MBA students may find themselves spread incredibly thin.
By enrolling in an online MBA program, working professionals can enjoy a better sense of work-life balance as they pursue an advanced degree. Rather than having to juggle commuting to/from work and attending classes on a physical campus, they can simply log onto classes from the convenience of their own homes (or anywhere else that may suit them).
Technological Advantages
In addition to better accessibility, flexibility, and work-life balance, online programs offer technological advantages. More specifically, online programs typically come with a wide range of resources and innovations that allow instructors to tailor lessons to students’ unique learning styles and preferences. For example, they may offer digital collaboration tools, as well as access to databases and online libraries.
Affordability
Cost is an understandable concern for many professionals considering an MBA. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average MBA now costs more than $62,000.
The good news? Enrolling in an online MBA program can be a great way for students to pursue their career goals while potentially saving some of their hard-earned money. Online programs often come with lower tuition rates, fewer fees, and additional savings from avoiding commuting and campus expenses.
Unity Environmental University has gone even further to make graduate education accessible. Our Sustainable MBA standard rate tuition is just a fraction of the national average for private, nonprofits. Plus, we’ve issued a tuition freeze through 2030, ensuring that today’s affordable rate stays locked in for the next several years.
Online MBAs vs. In-Person MBAs
With a clearer understanding of the benefits of online education, it’s worth exploring how an online MBA compares to a more traditional, in-person program.
In general, online and in-person MBAs tend to differ most in terms of their overall structure, networking opportunities, and interactions with cohorts/faculty.
Class Structure/Method of Delivery
Online degree programs and in-person degree programs vary greatly in their method of delivery, as well as their overall course structure. While in-person classes may meet on campus during set dates and times throughout the semester, online courses are accessed through learning management systems (LMS). These online classes may be synchronous (live) or asynchronous (in which students work at their own pace).
Even though the delivery method may differ, online and in-person classes typically include many of the same components, such as:
- Class discussions
- Lectures
- Quizzes and exams
- Projects (including group projects)
Networking Opportunities
Networking may look a bit different in an online MBA program versus an in-person program. With in-person classes, students see each other regularly and may have an easier time building professional connections with other students or even instructors. There might also be opportunities for MBA students to attend in-person networking events on campus.
However, this doesn’t mean that online MBA program students can’t enjoy excellent networking opportunities as well. These students can find networking opportunities online through virtual events or platforms like LinkedIn. In fact, students in an online MBA program may actually have an easier time connecting with a diverse global audience if they have peers from different cultures and backgrounds in their business school classes.
Interactions and Learning Experiences
Online classes may not offer face-to-face interactions, but there are still plenty of opportunities to engage with peers and instructors.
Some online classes, for example, may meet synchronously from time to time. During these meetings, students and instructors have the chance to interact in real-time via video chat. Students may also interact asynchronously through discussion boards and chat features. Through these various methods, students can connect, share ideas, and work together to achieve their professional goals.
Are Online MBAs Respected by Employers?
Many students worry that online degrees are not respected by employers, prompting them to ask: Is an online MBA worth it? The simple answer? Yes. Today’s employers tend to view online MBAs in the same way they view “traditional” MBA degrees, recognizing that online students have put in the work to build the essential skills and knowledge needed in the industry.
Furthermore, because online MBAs are becoming increasingly common, employers are beginning to see them more as the “norm” (rather than an exception to the norm). The key, of course, is to choose a reputable online MBA program with experienced faculty and a career-focused curriculum.
Find the Right MBA Program for You at Unity Environmental University
Compared to a “traditional” on-campus MBA, an online MBA program can be an excellent way to develop your business acumen and leadership skills without having to set foot inside a physical classroom. And because you have the freedom to work at your own pace, you can complete your online MBA without putting other areas of your life on hold.
At Unity Environmental University, our Sustainable Master of Business Administration (SMBA) takes the traditional MBA a step further with a climate-ready focus. You’ll gain the business and leadership skills offered in traditional MBA programs while also exploring concepts in sustainability and environmental preservation. Plus, with a convenient online format and up to five start dates per year, you can start working toward your degree at a time that’s convenient for you.
Interested in applying MBA concepts to the sustainable use of ocean resources? Check out our SMBA in Coastal Economic Development.
Chat with Una about Unity Environmental University’s SMBA programs today or take the next step by applying for admission.
