According to the GMAC 2017 Year-End Employer Poll Report, more than four in five employers (83 percent) plan to hire MBAs in 2018, while those expecting to hire bachelor’s degree graduates is flat compared with 2017 levels.
Consider Your Future Earnings Potential
Today’s compensation for MBA graduates is as strong as the demand for their skills. Consider how total compensation (GMAC 2017 Alumni Perspectives Survey Report), comprising base salary and additional bonuses, breaks down by experience for MBA graduates:
- Entry Level: $75,513
- Mid-Level: $123,950
- Senior Level: $177,544
- Executive Level: $272,907
- C-suite: $440,122
Though the rewards for earning this degree are as clear as the opportunity costs of waiting, for many MBA candidates, the decision to act immediately comes with some trepidation. Traditional on-campus programs are typically expensive, and students also incur tuition, room and board, commuting, and loss of income costs once they take the MBA plunge. Debt can spiral quickly out of control and the total costs can approach $350,000.
As a prospective MBA candidate, you have probably asked yourself three questions:
- Should I spend years aggressively saving for an MBA program while I lose out on career opportunities to MBA graduates in the interim?
- Should I put my career on hold and enroll in an MBA program, with confidence that my future prospects will enable me to pay down my student debts quickly?
- Should I enroll in an online program offered by a respected business school with affordable tuition, as well as an accelerated curriculum?
If you are a working professional in Kansas, asking yourself these three questions in sequence will likely bring you to a clear conclusion. The online, accelerated MBA option provides the opportunity to advance in your career and carries the fewest financial and career setback risks. But how do the best business schools in Kansas with accelerated online MBA options compare?
Comparing the Business School Online MBA Options in Kansas
Within the state of Kansas, there are several AACSB-accredited online MBA programs offered by nonprofit public universities. This distinction is critical to your success. “AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business schools,” according to the agency’s website. As a prospective student of an accredited school, you can be confident that your curriculum will be up to date, your professors will be highly qualified, and your degree will be respected by employers. Each of the business schools below is AACSB-accredited:
| University | Degree | Minimum Duration | Tuition/Credit Hr. | Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emporia State University | Online MBA | 12 months | $350 | $12,600 |
| University of Kansas | Online MBA & Business Cert | 27 months | $850 | $35,700 |
| Wichita State University | Online MBA | 24 months | $446 | $18,485 – $23,106 |
| Kansas State University | Professional MBA Online | Not listed | $833 | $32,500 max |
When compared to three of the other leading state university programs with AACSB accreditation, the contrast in duration and tuition is significant. Emporia State University stands out as the choice for prospective students who seek an AACSB-accredited MBA with the most affordable tuition and the most accelerated program.
If your objective is to maximize your opportunity for career advancement, while minimizing your financial and opportunity costs, the choice is clear.
Learn more about Emporia State University’s online MBA programs.
Sources:
Fortune/CNN: The Rise of the One-Year MBA
GMAC 2017 Year-End Employer Poll Report
