MBA Program Assessment

Amid an evolving market, outdated MBA programs are losing prospective enrollment to more student-aligned rivals. The employer and student demand remains, meriting schools’ continued investment in the MBA, but increasing competition requires careful attention to program design. Programs must adapt to today’s MBA student or risk losing them to alternatives ranging from other graduate business degrees to nondegree offerings.

Employers demonstrate sustained market demand for MBAs, and students can expect a positive return on their educational investment

The growing employer demand for professionals with graduate business education, and sustained demand for professionals with MBAs specifically, indicates continued need for MBA education. Graduates also continue to experience attractive rewards for their education, such as higher median salaries than most master’s degree graduates.

• MBA salary premium over all master’s level salaries: +$28K
• Median MBA base starting salary: $85K

Growing competition from alternative business education presents less threat than feared but suggests needed changes to MBA program design

While MBA alternatives continue to emerge, none have yet captured significant segments of the MBA audience. Competition from core accounting, finance, and marketing programs has barely affected the MBA’s share of business degree conferrals.

Emerging MBA-adjacent fields such as health care administration or data analytics introduce a more perceptible market impact, but ultimately remain small when compared to the size of the MBA. These programs do, however, typically allow for a more personalized education with a quicker time to completion than a traditional MBA which can be an attraction.

Design programs for adult student needs: EAB’s student-centric guide will help you determine the audience your program will serve, and then build the offering to meet their needs.

More dramatic disruption from non-degree and non-institutional competitors responds to student need for more accessible and lower-cost education

The greatest competition facing MBAs today, however, comes from other more innovative and student-centered MBAs—the oft-discussed iMBA from the University of Illinois but also less-cited programs at regional institutions that have leveraged fast-paced, online programs for tremendous growth.

Opportunities and threats of alternative credentials: Continuing education leaders are concerned that traditional approaches to alternative degrees are being disrupted, potentially replaced altogether. But college and university leaders are also looking to the market for revenue growth and diversification.

3 ways to recruit MBA students in a challenging market: Given today’s market challenges, it’s more important than ever that business schools develop marketing campaigns that communicate the value of the MBA—and design MBA programs to best meet students’ needs.