Since the Covid pandemic has turned the world upside down with many of its 'new normals,' Online MBA programs have become one of them, especially for MBA aspirants wanting to pursue an international MBA. There is always a debate on the Online MBA program vs. Traditional MBA and let us already give this away for you- we don't have a definite answer. But we have a range of expert consultants from M7 and all the top-notch B-schools of the world sharing their expertise on both programs, which may help you determine which one is better for you.
This article will give you an exhaustive understanding of Traditional and Online MBA programs and what are the best programs to target for each of the categories.
Here is a Quick Snapshot -
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Who should go for the Traditional MBA?
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Who should go for the Online MBA program?
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Traditional MBA vs. Online MBA program
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Top programs for Traditional MBA and Online MBA program
Traditional MBA
The traditional MBA is an advanced degree focused on teaching high-level corporate management on campus. You can explore each and everything physically and get to interact more with students, teachers, and professionals.
Why choose a Traditional MBA?
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Traditional MBA programs are more popular because they provide extensive networking opportunities, which are crucial for someone trying to switch careers (domain/industry/geography) or entering a tight-knit industry like PE/VC etc.
Suggested Readings - Must read for career switchers
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If you are a fresh graduate, then it is the perfect option to choose the traditional MBA as your post-graduate degree. If you don't have any work experience, a traditional MBA will be a better choice to kickstart your career.
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You get the opportunity to find some good internships and get exposure in the career you are trying to enter/to grow in and hence more scope of employment opportunities post-MBA.
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A traditional MBA does not just help you achieve your short-term goals and shape your personality and skills in a way that will make you more fit to achieve your long-term aspirations.
A quick take on Traditional MBA from Experts-
Traditional MBA is a long-term investment into both- your short-term and long-term career trajectory and hence are ideal for aspirants trying to kickstart or switch their careers or expecting huge growth in their trajectory.
Online MBA program
Online MBA program is a master's degree in business administration where you can learn all the business and management skills through online mode. Online MBA programs have always been an option for people who think they need an addition to their current career graph.
Why choose Online MBA
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The biggest reason many students choose an online MBA program is flexibility. Family, work, or other commitments require a more flexible schedule. Online MBA programs allow students to study more conveniently; you’ll never miss a class, and you won’t spend time and money commuting to campus.
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Online MBA programs are much less expensive than their traditional counterparts. The tuition fee is quite pocket-friendly. You also save on additional expenses such as relocating to a new city and living expenses or commuting daily to college.
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You have the opportunity to connect with world-class industry experts virtually through webinars and online live meetings. You can attend such interactive sessions easily from your home. Virtual meetings are beneficial as you can connect with people on the other side of the world.
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Online MBA programs also tend to be more technology-driven and skill-based. Hence if you need to develop particular skills that can expedite your career growth and not need to invest a lot in MBA, then an online MBA is the way to go,
Quick Take on Online MBA programs from experts-
As you may have understood, the Online MBA program is ideal for someone who is not really looking for long-term investment and just need to upgrade their skills and get the degree's credibility, which would suffice their short-term goals.
Difference between Online MBA program vs. Traditional MBA
Quick Insights from Experts-
To understand which option is the best option for you, you need to understand your goals and needs and make your own criteria. One of the biggest factors for anyone is employment opportunity post-MBA. To understand this, you will have to navigate the career stats of online and traditional programs of your target B-schools.
Visit here to understand the career stats of some traditional MBAs at top B-schools.
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Book a 1:1 profile evaluation call with our experts
Till now, we mentioned how you should choose the program according to its suitability. But that is not it; enrolling in the best colleges is also important as it will enhance your career. There are so many colleges out there, but selecting which one is perfect for you is quite tough, but we will make your job easier by listing down the best colleges for MBA.
We hope we can cover all your doubts through this article, and by now, you know which program fits well for you and which colleges you should target. However, we understand it requires more than just an article to understand the right programs for your goals.
We are here for you. Feel free to hop on a 1:1 profile evaluation call with our experts to understand your chances at top B-schools and get recommendations for the best-fit programs.