Is an MBA a Good Investment? What to Know Before You Enroll

It’s not easy to decide whether it’s worth working toward a Master of Business Administration (MBA) after you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in business and possibly spent some time in the workforce. Between tuition, time and everything else on your plate, it’s fair to ask what an MBA can add to your career and whether the investment makes sense for you.

An MBA is a graduate business degree that builds skills in leadership, finance, marketing, operations, data analysis, and strategy. MBA programs are designed for professionals who want to move into management, change industries, or deepen their business expertise. Many programs, including Herzing University’s MBA programs, can be completed online in about 12 months.

This guide covers the types of MBA programs, what they cost, how long they take and what current employer and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data show, so you can decide whether an MBA fits your goals.

MBA Highlights

• MBA programs come in several formats, including general, specialized, STEM-designated, and dual degree options. MBA programs can be offered online, on campus, or both.
• Employers in the GMAC 2026 Corporate Recruiters Survey projected a median starting salary of $120,000 for new U.S. MBA graduates, compared with $72,000 for bachelor’s degree holders.
• The average annual salary for management occupations is $145,260, according to May 2025 BLS data.
• The BLS projects faster-than-average employment growth for management occupations from 2025 to 2035, with about 1.1 million openings each year, on average.
• Herzing’s MBA programs require no GMAT or GRE and can be completed in about 12 months on average.

What Is an MBA Program?

An MBA program is designed to bring your business knowledge to a higher level and strengthen your leadership skills. Most programs pair core business courses with applied projects, so you can practice what you learn on the kinds of challenges managers handle every day.

At Herzing, the MBA curriculum includes courses in leadership and team dynamics, corporate financial strategy, data-driven marketing and project management. You’ll also study strategic human capital, risk management, technology management, and business analytics, which helps you build a well-rounded view of how organizations operate and how leaders make decisions.

While studying for an MBA, you can learn and improve your hard skills, such as financial strategy and data analysis, and soft skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and effective communication and collaboration. For example, Herzing’s MBA program focuses on the practical application of current business problems. Your coursework finishes with a graduate capstone project or a graduate internship (availability varies by state), giving you the chance to apply your skills to a real business challenge before you graduate.

The Different Types of MBA Programs

MBA programs vary by focus and format, so it helps to know your options before you compare schools. The right fit depends on the skills you want to build, the career you have in mind, and how you plan to balance school with work and family.

General MBA

A general MBA builds a broad foundation across leadership, finance, marketing, operations and strategy. It’s a strong fit if you want to pursue management roles in a range of industries or keep your options open as your career grows. Herzing’s Master of Administration program is a 33-credit program you can complete in about 12 months on average.

Specialized or STEM-Designated MBA

An MBA gives you a chance to get advanced knowledge that applies to a specific area of interest. A specialized MBA pairs core business courses with deeper study in one field. Herzing’s STEM-designated MBA in Business Analytics, for example, adds coursework in predictive analytics, machine learning, big data, cloud and visualization, so you can build the skills to turn data into informed business decisions.

Dual Degree MBA

A dual degree lets you earn two graduate degrees together in fewer total credits than you’d need to earn them separately. Registered nurses with a BSN can explore Herzing’s Dual MSN-NLA/MBA Degree Pathway, which combines a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership and Administration with an MBA in 57 credits, compared with 69 credits for both degrees on their own.

Online and Hybrid MBA

Format matters as much as focus when you’re balancing school with a full-time job. An online MBA lets you complete your coursework 100% online, often with full-time or part-time enrollment options. A hybrid MBA combines online courses with on-campus classes, like those offered at Herzing University–Atlanta, for students who value face-to-face time with faculty and classmates. Deciding between the two? Our guide to hybrid vs. online MBA programs walks through the differences.

Is an MBA Worth It?

An MBA can be worth it when it supports your career goals and fits your budget and schedule. Every path looks a little different, but employer surveys and federal labor data point to several advantages for professionals with a graduate business degree.

Lower Unemployment Rates

Education can make a difference in how steady your career feels over time. According to the BLS, workers aged 25 and older with a master’s degree had a 2.6% unemployment rate in 2025, compared with 2.8% for workers with a bachelor’s degree and 3.4% for all workers.

Employer Demand and In-Demand Skills

Employers continue to look for business graduates. In the GMAC 2026 Corporate Recruiters Survey, 39% of employers said they planned to hire more MBA graduates in 2026. The same employers ranked communication (64%), problem-solving (62%), adaptability (60%) and data analysis (59%) among the skills they value most in business school graduates. An MBA program lets you practice each of these through applied coursework and a capstone project.

Career Flexibility

An MBA can also help you explore new directions. Indeed notes that an MBA can help you pursue a new career path, strengthen both hard and soft skills, and differentiate you as a job candidate. Whether you want to move into management in your current field or shift into a new industry, the broad business foundation of an MBA can help you prepare for your next step.

A Stronger Professional Network

Your networking skills can grow when you go through an MBA program. Whether your classes are on campus or online, you can interact with other motivated business professionals. These connections with faculty and fellow students can lead to meaningful relationships that can support your career.

The MBA program can open you up to new ideas and practices as well as put you in contact with people who could become valuable professional contacts months or years from now.

How Much Can You Earn With an MBA?

If you have an MBA, it’s possible to earn more compensation than someone with only a bachelor’s degree. Your earnings will depend on your role, experience, industry, and location, but current data can give you a sense of the range.

Many roles MBA graduates pursue fall within management, where the average annual salary is $145,260 per year ($69.84 per hour) nationally, compared with $69,770 per year for all occupations, according to the BLS.*

Job Outlook for MBA Holders

The outlook for management careers is positive. The BLS projects employment in management occupations to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2025 to 2035, with about 1.1 million openings each year, on average. Employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 16% over the same period.

Many employers also recognize the value of a graduate business degree. The BLS notes that some organizations require or prefer a graduate degree in business administration for computer and information systems managers.

How Long Does an MBA Take, and What Does It Cost?

Program length and cost vary by school, format and how many credits you can transfer, so it’s worth looking closely at each program’s requirements. At Herzing, the MBA is 33 credits, and the MBA in Business Analytics is 36 credits. Both programs take about 12 months on average, and you can enroll full time or part time depending on what fits your schedule.

Tuition for the MBA in Business Analytics is $630 per credit, and you may be able to transfer up to 12 approved credits to lower your total cost. No GMAT or GRE is required; admissions are rolling, and the enrollment fee is currently waived, so you can get started when you’re ready.

Financial support can also help make an MBA more manageable. Herzing awarded over $20M in scholarships and grants to qualified students in 2025. Visit our tuition and financial aid page to estimate your costs, and if you plan to keep working while you study, these tips for earning your MBA while working full-time can help you plan ahead.

Herzing University MBA Programs at a Glance

Herzing’s online MBA programs were recognized in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. Each program focuses on the practical application of current business problems and ends with a graduate capstone project or a graduate internship (availability varies by state).

Herzing’s MBA programs also help you prepare for industry certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Herzing will reimburse the application fees for up to three industry certifications once you show proof that you passed the exam, which can help you add credentials to your résumé as you complete your degree.

Prefer a specialized business master’s degree? Explore the Master of Science in Business Analytics or the Master of Science in Finance.

Is an MBA Worth It for You?

An MBA can be worth it when it supports the career you want and fits the life you have right now. The degree helps you build skills in leadership, finance and data analysis, along with the communication and problem-solving skills employers say they value in business school graduates. It can also help you prepare for management roles or a move into a new industry.

The right answer depends on your goals, your budget, and how much time you can give to school while you work.

If you're weighing your options, start by comparing program formats, credits, and total costs. Consider the total investment, including tuition, the time required to complete the program, available employer tuition assistance or financial aid, your career goals and the professional benefits you expect the degree to provide Herzing's MBA programs require no GMAT or GRE, and you can complete them online or on campus in Atlanta in about 12 months on average. An admissions advisor can explain how an MBA could fit your plans, and we're here to help when you're ready to take the next step. Request information to learn more about our MBA programs.