What can you do with an online MBA?

By: James M. Tobin

Edited by: Valerie Black

Published: January 9, 2025

Master of business administration (MBA) programs have a reputation for leading to jobs that pay well and offer excellent advancement potential. How does this perception compare with real-world trends? Will MBA graduates remain in demand over the coming years? Find answers to these and other important questions in our guide.

Are MBA degree holders in high demand?

Management professionals — including MBA graduates — appear poised to remain in high demand in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs in management occupations will grow faster than average from 2023 to 2033. The BLS expects about 1.2 million annual openings in these roles.

Employers in virtually all industries hire MBA graduates. Examples of common work settings include the manufacturing, technology, healthcare, finance, energy, and consulting sectors.

Projected growth rates and annual job openings vary among specific management occupations. The type of MBA you choose and the proficiencies your program aims to help students develop may also affect your employability. According to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, graduates of skills-focused MBA programs with customizable curricula best meet employer needs.

What jobs can you get with an online MBA?

The jobs you can get with an MBA often depend on the program concentration you choose. Common concentrations include:

• Business analytics
• Finance
• Healthcare management
• Human resources
• Marketing

Here's a brief look at professional roles relevant to these concentrations with salary data from the BLS:

• Operations research analyst

  Operations research analysts use specialized modeling and evaluation techniques to improve organizational efficiency. This role is most readily available to graduates of operations management MBA programs, though a degree in a related field, like applied mathematics, may also be required.

  Median annual salary (May 2023): $83,640

• Financial analyst

  These professionals analyze financial statements, organizational resources, and marketing conditions to guide decisions about investment and growth. By gaining experience, financial analysts can move up to financial manager roles, which paid a median salary of $156,100 per year as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

  Median annual salary (May 2023): $99,890

• Health services managers

  Working in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, health services managers ensure their facilities meet quality-of-care and compliance standards within operational constraints. MBA specializations in healthcare management can help prepare you for this role. Some health services managers have frontline experience as healthcare providers.

  Median annual salary (May 2023): $110,680

• Human resources manager

  Human resources managers oversee employee recruitment, hiring, training, and administration programs. They also play a frontline role in managing the employee experience, ensuring the organization conforms to labor laws, compliance standards, and civil rights legislation.

  Median annual salary (May 2023): $136,350

• Market research analyst

  Market research analysts assess macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions — and other types of business intelligence — to help form product and service positioning strategies. The role can potentially lead to management positions that paid a median salary of $157,620 per year in 2023, according to the BLS. Marketing-focused MBA programs can help prepare you for this career path.

  Median annual salary (May 2023): $74,680

What is in an online MBA program?

Online MBA programs cover essential topics in business operations and management in online formats. They can help students develop the analytical and strategic management skills that benefit business leaders in their careers.

You can pursue a general or concentrated degree. Generalist programs develop highly versatile and readily transferable skills. Concentrated programs also cover generalist topics but spend more time covering specialized areas.

Credit requirements vary, but MBA programs typically take two to three years of full-time study to complete.

Program availability varies by location. You can learn more by browsing MBA programs available in your area.

Benefits of an online MBA

Important benefits of earning your MBA online include:

• Control over your learning experience: Online programs — especially those with asynchronous classes — can provide much more scheduling flexibility.
• Degree personalization options: Business schools offer many concentration and specialization options to online MBA students, allowing you to focus on your specific career goals.
• Relevant skills: Beyond the business management skills you'll build in your program, studying online can show you how to remain productive while working remotely.

How much does an online MBA cost?

Online MBA costs vary considerably. As Rollins College's Crummer Graduate School of Business notes, total tuition starts around $10,000 and goes up to $100,000 or more.

In 2020, a National Center for Education Statistics study found that MBA students at schools offering fully online programs paid an average of $4,964 per year in tuition and fees. That's less than $10,000 total for a typical two-year program.

Remember, however, that you could face costs not covered by tuition, such as:

• Books and learning materials
• Computer equipment and software
• Technology fees

Online programs can make it easier to keep working while you study, which can help you pay for your degree. Some employers also offer tuition reimbursement programs.

If you need financial aid, look first to sources like scholarships and grants, which do not need to be repaid. Then, consider loans.