Not long ago, working professionals had to make considerable career and personal sacrifices in order to earn a Master of Business Administration degree. They often had to leave jobs, uproot families to move near a campus and bear enormous financial strain.
Perhaps one of the greatest impacts the internet has had in people’s lives is in the area of education. Online degree programs — especially MBAs, the most well-attended of all postgraduate degree programs — have greatly diminished the sacrifices required to attain the educational credentials employers demand. Many of the top online programs, including the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) online MBA program, offer the same curriculums and prestige of their on-campus counterparts — with an impressive list of cost advantages.
The NKU Online MBA Program Offers Exceptional Value for an AACSB-Accredited Program
According to AACSB International, “AACSB Accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by less than 5 percent of the world’s business schools.” Achieving this distinction is a process of rigorous internal review, engagement with an AACSB-assigned mentor and peer review. AACSB standards “require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty and staff as active participants; learning and teaching; and academic and professional engagement.” These are the standards employers value in a business education. Northern Kentucky University’s 100 percent online MBA program — and its faculty and students — are proud to be counted among this elite group.
NKU does stand out in one considerable way from most other AACSB-accredited institutions: tuition for this online MBA is just $15,708. It is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, and all fees are included in the total cost. Students save time as well with an accelerated program that they can complete in as few as 12 months. And, the time savings can have an even greater impact than the difference in tuition fees.
Earning your MBA Online Eliminates Many of the Traditional Costs
In just a two-year period, MBA students can accumulate between $100,000 and $200,000 in debt and expenses, especially in private schools, according to Investopedia. Boarding and book expenses of $20,000 per year can compound annual tuition rates of $40,000.
The opportunity costs of forgoing a paycheck and putting a career on hold for two years or more may exceed the common $60,000 in annual tuition, board and books for on-campus programs. Lost income is considerable for working professionals in their 20s through 40s, and that is compounded again by lost opportunities for advancements and raises, not to mention the interest that could be accrued in 401(k) accounts and other investments.
With the NKU online MBA, students may also save thousands in commuting costs, including tolls, fuel, higher insurance premiums, maintenance, repairs and vehicle depreciation.
The Value of Your Time Is an Equally Worthy Consideration
Earning your MBA online enables you to balance academics with professional and personal responsibilities. You can continue to work while attending online classes, whenever and wherever it is convenient. You can study in the early morning hours, on lunch breaks or at night. For working professionals who are short on time, the online model is long on flexibility.
Reduce Your Expenses with Financial Aid
With accredited online programs like the NKU online MBA program, students have access to the same financial aid options available on campus. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will work with you to locate funding opportunities including Pell grants, loans and other means to meet your individual financial needs.
The NKU online MBA program delivers the prestige of a state university, the accreditation employers demand and a value proposition that is difficult to match.
Learn more about the NKU online MBA program.
Sources:
Investopedia: The Real Cost of an MBA
Bloomberg Businessweek: The Real Cost of an MBA
AACSB: Confirming Excellence in Management Education
