Worth of MBA: Is It Still Worth It in 2025?
When people ask about the worth of MBA, a postgraduate business degree designed to build leadership, strategy, and management skills. Also known as Master of Business Administration, it’s been the golden ticket to corporate jobs for decades. But in 2025, with rising tuition, booming tech careers, and shortcut paths to leadership, is it still worth the investment?
Let’s be real—the worth of MBA isn’t the same for everyone. For someone in India aiming for a top-tier corporate role in finance or consulting, a degree from IIM or XLRI still opens doors most other credentials can’t. But for a software engineer in Bengaluru who just wants to move into product management, a six-month online certification from Coursera or Udemy might get them there faster and cheaper. The real question isn’t whether an MBA is valuable—it’s whether it’s the *best* path for your goals. Many people assume an MBA is the only way to climb the ladder, but look at the data: tech startups now hire product leads based on project portfolios, not degrees. Government jobs don’t even require an MBA for most roles. And in fields like digital marketing or data analytics, hands-on experience beats classroom theory every time.
Then there’s the money side. An MBA from a top Indian school can cost over ₹20 lakhs. Add living expenses, lost salary during the year off, and you’re looking at ₹25-30 lakhs total. Now compare that to a two-year degree, a focused, career-specific program that can be completed in less time and at a fraction of the cost. Also known as associate degree, it’s what’s powering careers in nuclear medicine, air traffic control, and dental hygiene—with starting salaries over $80,000 in the U.S. and ₹12-15 lakhs in India. Even online certifications tied to industry standards, like Google’s Project Management Certificate or AWS cloud credentials, are now trusted by hiring managers who care more about what you can do than where you studied. The return on investment, how much money you earn back compared to what you spent. Also known as ROI, it’s the real metric that matters now. If your MBA doesn’t boost your salary by at least ₹15-20 lakhs per year within two years of graduating, you’re not getting your money’s worth.
And let’s not forget the hidden costs: the pressure to network, the expectation to relocate, the stress of internships that don’t always lead to jobs. Meanwhile, people are skipping MBA programs entirely and building careers through apprenticeships, freelance gigs, and self-driven learning. A former IITian now leads a product team at Google without an MBA. A woman in Pune runs a ₹5 crore digital agency after learning marketing through YouTube and free tools. These aren’t outliers—they’re the new normal.
So is the worth of MBA dead? No. But it’s no longer a default choice. It’s a strategic one. If you’re targeting top consulting firms, global brands, or leadership roles in traditional industries, it still holds weight. But if you’re in tech, startups, or creative fields, there are faster, cheaper, and often more effective routes. The posts below show you exactly what’s working in 2025—from real salary numbers for MBA grads to the online courses that are replacing degrees, and the careers that pay more without the debt. You’ll see who’s winning now, and how to get there without betting your future on a 20-year-old playbook.
- By Nolan Blackburn
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- 19 Mar 2025
Is an MBA Really Worth the Investment?
Pursuing an MBA can open doors to career advancement and higher salaries, but it's a hefty investment in time and money. We explore the pros and cons, salary expectations, and real-world benefits of MBA programs. Learn about critical factors like networking opportunities, potential job prospects, and whether online programs offer the same value. Discover tips to weigh if an MBA aligns with your professional goals.