Online MBA Programs Ideal for Working Adults

Looking for growth potential? Graduates of MBA programs can find their salaries increasing by as much as 44% over the salaries they earned before they got their degrees. The average salary of MBA holders this year is $92,360, up 4.2% from 2005, with signing bonuses that can exceed $17,000.

Among professionals earning an MBA, many opt to get their degrees online. Most MBA students hold jobs, so an online MBA program can be convenient for them. Some accelerated online MBA programs are actually faster and more affordable than on-campus programs.

For one professional in the public sector, it was. Rae-Anne Yip was a career counselor in the San Francisco Bay Area, working long hours and finding herself pigeonholed, until she completed an online MBA program.

What was your online learning experience like?
"Overall, it was a great experience. In the beginning it was an adjustment, since I had been out of school for over 2 years, and the program I enrolled in was an accelerated 18-month program. Eventually I was able to get into a routine and balance the workload."

Did you miss the interaction that comes from learning on-campus?
"Well, we did have weekly discussions to participate in online, as well as a lot of team projects that simulated the on-campus experience. I also was able to establish close working relationships with many of my professors."

How did your master's degree help you in your career?
"About 3 months into the online MBA program, I was up for a promotion and am certain my master's degree (in progress) helped me get the upper management position. As far as courses, I feel I benefited the most from the finance and organizational behavior."

What does an average day in your job look like?
"I have to attend a lot of meetings throughout the day and interface with many different departmental personnel. Managing a program includes close interaction with the finance, information systems, and administration departments, as well as the Board of Directors."

If you pursued further education, would you go the online route again?
"Yes, I would - it was the best way for me to get further education."

As education becomes a stricter requirement for most jobs with growth potential, having a master's is a way to set oneself apart from the competition. Ms. Yip, like many other graduates, saw immediate career growth, and is still enjoying the benefits of her online MBA today.

MBA Fast Facts:

Did you know that some companies will pay for your MBA, and even pay you extra if you get straight A's?

Did you know that over one third of MBA graduates move on from their current job and find better ones within a year of graduating?