How to Choose Between a Full-Time and Online MBA When You Are Already a Working Professional
You already have a job, a paycheck, and a calendar that keeps you busy most days. So, the question now is how can you earn your MBA in a way that works best for you? Should you take a break from your job to study full-time or balance both and earn your degree online?
Why Get an MBA?
For an established professional, it can be difficult to see past the costs and into the value of an MBA. However, earning your MBA can provide great financial rewards.
MBA graduates have a six-figure average salary, and reports from the estimated a median salary of $125,000 as of 2025.
The Real Cost of Each Path: It Is Not Just Tuition
One of the biggest factors in choosing a degree program is the cost. Along with the money you will be paying for the program, you may have to cut back hours at work which could temporarily reduce your income. If you choose to be a full-time student, you will reduce your hours at work or take time off entirely and focus primarily on school.
Furthermore, full-time tuition costs can be almost double those of online programs, which can extend the time needed to recoup your investment. On the other hand, being an online student offers the flexibility to retain your job and study simultaneously. While you may still need to adjust your working hours, there is less forgone wage with this option.
Classroom vs. Online: How Each Format Fits Your Goals
Both a full-time and an online MBA offer benefits and drawbacks that the other does not. Each option has their strengths, so the choice all comes down to what works best for you.
| Classroom | Online |
|---|---|
| Deeper, in-person connections with your professors and peers | Asynchronous and synchronous digital courses you can access from anywhere |
| On-campus corporate recruiting and networking events | More flexibility for working professionals to continue to earn money while studying |
| Immersive full-time focus | No relocation or commuting expenses |
| Typically 12–16 months | Often 2–2.5 years, but completable in 12 months |
| Tends to fit better if you plan to pivot to a new field/career | Tends to fit better if you want to stay in the same field and are looking to advance |
Regardless of which format you think is best, you have to evaluate if this is a step you are truly ready to take.
Are You Ready? An Honest Self-Assessment
We at 91¿ì»îÁÖ encourage you to pursue your academic goals and further your education no matter what stage of life you are in, but we understand that sometimes the timing or fit just is not right. Here is a quick checklist to guide you through deciding if you are actually ready:
- Do you know why you want your MBA?
- Can you afford to take a part-time or full-time break from work and pay for school?
- Are you at a point in your career where an MBA can help you advance, or are you wanting to switch things up and pivot to a new career path with an MBA?Will you be able to prioritize your coursework and protect study hours in your schedule?
Take your time to carefully consider these questions and your answers. If you do not know or are not confident in your responses now, that is okay. While 91¿ì»îÁÖ State’s full-time MBA always starts in the fall, the online program offers five flexible start dates, giving you increased flexibility.
Your Next Steps
You have time to weigh your choices and decide what will work best for you. This is simply a guide to help you consider the options for your future.
✅ Note: Neither program requires the GRE or GMAT for admissions, making applying straightforward and easy if you choose to do so.
If you are interested in learning more, you can visit our online MBA page or full-time MBA page for more information about the specific programs.