{"id":47768,"date":"2020-01-12T06:00:24","date_gmt":"2020-01-12T13:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=47768"},"modified":"2023-10-11T06:35:55","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T13:35:55","slug":"is-an-mba-worth-it-or-is-the-sky-falling-down-on-the-mba-degree-episode-346","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/is-an-mba-worth-it-or-is-the-sky-falling-down-on-the-mba-degree-episode-346\/","title":{"rendered":"Is an MBA Worth It, or Is the Sky Falling Down on the MBA Degree? [Episode 346]"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/admissions_straight_talk\/p\/www.accepted.com\/hubfs\/Podcast_audio_files\/Podcast\/is_an_mba_worth_it_2020.mp3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-67083\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/When-is-the-MBA-worth-it.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;When is the MBA worth it?&quot; Listen to our podcast interview with Linda Abraham, founder and president of Accepted!\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accepted founder Linda Abraham discusses when pursuing an MBA justifies its cost [Show Summary]<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Linda Abraham, Accepted\u2019s founder and president explores the latest headlines about the value of an MBA.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/admissions_straight_talk\/p\/www.accepted.com\/hubfs\/Podcast_audio_files\/Podcast\/is_an_mba_worth_it_2020.mp3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This is a must-listen for anyone trying to decide whether or not to get an MBA degree.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why we\u2019ve been asking the wrong question about the value of the MBA [Show Notes]<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Headlines scream \u201cIs an MBA Worth It?\u201d and frequently conclude, as did\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/is-an-m-b-a-still-worth-it-11569184032\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an editorial in the\u00a0<em>WSJ<\/em>\u00a0in the fall<\/a>, that an MBA usually isn\u2019t worth it in an era of low unemployment, high tuition, and declining enrollment for U.S. business schools\u2019 flagship, two-year, full-time MBA programs. Other articles conclude differently and trumpet that the MBA is almost always worth it because of the value of the MBA education and network. In my opinion, they\u2019re both asking the wrong question.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The right question is:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cWhen is an MBA worth it?\u201d<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This is not a categorical question, or one that an op-ed can answer across the board for everyone or even \u201cmost.\u201d It\u2019s something that individuals must assess and analyze individually. If you\u2019re a prospective MBA applicant trying to decide if you should apply or attend if accepted, ignore the headlines (for the most part). Approach the question, with this maxim in mind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fb0ea1f5-703c-4e2c-8596-c8838df7ca25.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59189\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fb0ea1f5-703c-4e2c-8596-c8838df7ca25.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fb0ea1f5-703c-4e2c-8596-c8838df7ca25.webp 600w, https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fb0ea1f5-703c-4e2c-8596-c8838df7ca25-300x176.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/cs\/c\/?cta_guid=cbf73d7d-d7d2-4135-a33f-5bee334aef0d&amp;placement_guid=9bb31be0-3cf6-45f0-be3d-3791cc1bd9bd&amp;portal_id=58291&amp;canon=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.accepted.com%2Fwhen-is-the-mba-worth-the-time-and-money-episode-346%2F&amp;redirect_url=APefjpHpEI8dv6ux8NjQCqjXMdyBVqD_5rsoIYNM_uSRUI2xj4jS7PjqEfD5Uh4BCaDUPvzda5BdRADd3fthRuh7m_PDbO41i0sYDrIt8m7_GtDDUrKlc3-E9rpMSiuhykRI-Nf6LQ4pKjELV6_SYf-FCaTxSwq9JV2NpUEl3i_Nha59MSpK_qgrJdEb3OIKKXGbuL1Xa2jfNlao_ozmQWgiPxaslJ_MQh4qQ-euMLAC9Hn4v-lyTGy771GhOkORa1tHMVVczRLEyAOOrTeVAGp1MuwSMiKArCjrIr4OYHEozuP0DCOybs0&amp;click=29a10c0d-5011-4d6a-aa68-329a3e6f419c&amp;hsutk=563e47b25a2a4d68b9e8132f8e1b91e3&amp;signature=AAH58kGeVbOnk55S3wTKimGlNLCS3u8-ZA&amp;utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.accepted.com%2F&amp;__hstc=76425034.563e47b25a2a4d68b9e8132f8e1b91e3.1565627464200.1578482693136.1578488466674.332&amp;__hssc=76425034.9.1578488466674&amp;__hsfp=4250193158&amp;contentType=blog-post\">&gt;\"\/&gt;<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The MBA is worth the investment in time and money when anticipated benefits \u2013 both financial and non-financial \u2013 exceed anticipated costs.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>That sounds straightforward, but let\u2019s unwrap it. To analyze the situation, record in a spreadsheet your anticipated costs:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Out-of-pocket tuition, fees, travel expenses<\/li>\r\n<li>Opportunity cost \u2013 lost salary for the time spent in school less the amount you anticipate making during your summer internship.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Don\u2019t include living costs that you would have regardless of whether you work or attend school. You do need to budget for them, but they are not part of the cost of the MBA.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>My next point is really important: When considering costs, realize that the\u00a0<em>stated tuition and costs may be more than you will actually pay<\/em>. Many schools, especially elite, private MBA programs, offer significant amounts of scholarship money. In 2018, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/hey-bargain-hunters-an-m-b-a-is-cheaper-than-you-think-1514988000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>reported that while stated tuition has increased steadily, schools have also increased both the total dollars offered and the percentage of students receiving\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/paying-for-your-mba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scholarships and financial aid<\/a>. In fact, the article states that \u201c61% of this year\u2019s students are receiving scholarships based on merit, financial need, or a combination of the two.\u201d The same article reveals that the average fellowship award cut the cost of Harvard tuition in half, and that total monies available for scholarships at the school have more than doubled since 2009. Dartmouth Tuck reported similar stats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Our clients who joined the MBA class of 2021 received 40% more in scholarships than those who joined the class of 2020. So far in this application cycle, we have several clients who have received full rides in round one, and two who have received two full ride offers each.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>What\u2019s driving this generosity? Business schools are competing for top applicants in a shrinking applicant pool.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/harvard-business-school-class-of-2021-profile\/\">HBS<\/a>\u00a0announced its second annual decline in application volume \u2013 down 6.7% in 2018-19 and 10.8% total since 2017. Dartmouth Tuck applications plunged 22.5% and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/yale-school-of-management-mba-class-of-2021-profile\/\">Yale SOM<\/a>\u00a0dropped 15.6% year over year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>With employment and job growth so strong, it\u2019s understandable that some potential applicants ask themselves, \u201cWhy should I leave my job and go to the trouble and expense of getting an MBA?\u201d\u00a0<strong>The answer: The benefits of the MBA may be worth it.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Let\u2019s look at average total comp for 2019 grads at some of the top U.S. business schools, which are usually among the most expensive:\u00a0<em>Forbes<\/em>\u00a0surveyed 17,500 b-school alumni for its\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/business-schools\/#2f8a121e6d6d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2019 rankings<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Forbes<\/em>\u2019 conclusion:\u00a0<em>\u201ca degree at a leading business school is still incredibly valuable and pays for itself in roughly four years. Graduates from the Class of 2014 at the top 25 U.S. programs increased their earnings from $73,000 on average before school to $193,000 last year. Earnings have increased 10% annually since graduation.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Their survey shows that a top MBA can cost a jaw-dropping $350,000 in foregone income and out-of-pocket expenses \u2013 if you pay full freight \u2013 but pays for itself in roughly four years. Any increased salary after that is gravy and return on investment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In addition to the financial reward, MBA grads usually are seeking and enjoying more satisfying work. GMAC data shows overwhelmingly satisfied alumni. Financial and non-financial benefits propel people to invest in the MBA. The education, network, and credential that you acquire by earning an MBA all enable the financial rewards and personal satisfaction that last a lifetime. With achievement of those two goals as your North Star and your spreadsheet of costs keeping you grounded, you can determine at what point the benefits outweigh the costs.\u00a0<em><strong>At that point, the MBA is worth it for you.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Notice I have spoken very little about rankings, immigration policy, rising tuition, or any of the factors that create headlines. However, one headline, declining application volume, does benefit you, the applicant. With fewer applicants vying for spots at top-tier programs, your chances for acceptance and financial aid improve. The reduced application volume and increased financial aid can make all the difference in your decision to attend business school or not.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Another common question: Is an MBA worth it if you can\u2019t attend Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The star status of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/harvard-stanford-wharton-whats-the-difference\/\">Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton<\/a>, or H\/S\/W to their friends, blinds many would-be MBAs to the strengths of other programs. They assume it won\u2019t be worth their while to attend \u201clesser\u201d programs. This is frequently false. H\/S\/W do boast outstanding programs, brand value, name recognition, networks, placement centers, and salaries upon graduation. However, the table below shows that they aren\u2019t the only programs whose graduates sport stratospheric salaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Median total compensation for 2019 MBA grads*<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<table class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>School Name<\/th>\r\n<th>Median Total Compensation<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)**<\/td>\r\n<td>$175,000<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Stanford University<\/td>\r\n<td>$187,760<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Harvard University<\/td>\r\n<td>$172,090<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)<\/td>\r\n<td>$173,670<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Chicago Booth<\/td>\r\n<td>$168,060<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Columbia University<\/td>\r\n<td>$177,970<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Northwestern University (Kellogg)<\/td>\r\n<td>$165,080<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>University of California\u2013Berkeley (Haas)<\/td>\r\n<td>$162,147<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Yale University<\/td>\r\n<td>$157,990<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Dartmouth College (Tuck)<\/td>\r\n<td>$170,000<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<tfoot>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Average<\/th>\r\n<th>$170,977<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tfoot>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>*Data is from several articles on\u00a0<em>Poets &amp; Quants.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>**Total compensation for Wharton graduates is\u00a0<em>P&amp;Q<\/em>\u2019s estimate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Let\u2019s put it this way. If you are in the elite group already advancing quickly in your careers, making post-MBA salaries, listing Ivy League degrees on your resume, and enjoying the luxury of achieving your goals without the MBA, you may be in the \u201cH\/S\/W or bust\u201d camp.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If, however, you are a more typical above-average achiever who doesn\u2019t enjoy an elite\u2019s advantages and seeks the increased salary and career satisfaction that your North Star will provide,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/busting-2-mba-myths\/\">you still enjoy excellent options among the so-called M7<\/a>\u00a0(H\/S\/W, MIT, Kellogg, Chicago Booth, and Columbia), as well as the Top 10\u00a0\u2013 which, due to multiple rankings, includes about 15 schools \u2013 and depending on your circumstances, outside those 15 programs, too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/cs\/c\/?cta_guid=54f7047e-c95e-47b0-b439-b5887df3bfc5&amp;placement_guid=8759ad4b-61cd-4b71-8746-e7a0a50aab2e&amp;portal_id=58291&amp;canon=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.accepted.com%2Fwhen-is-the-mba-worth-the-time-and-money-episode-346%2F&amp;redirect_url=APefjpHzL9vA3p8qX6WHnJ9c95_PNcPA9HpwjWYGnh61FlN5-RpTf_c7xJGMNVLWfLDajdTOBiRoJerbLv6X_moEjwhamQztfMsJ-i7Xil2jVYajul0MmTgyvhuxNt_fIL3pRn0MMBSfYVNoA00x_zgOdnot3ny_bUd8tR4_7qrXC0IDmGlc2uZouiCxQYcg0jHO7Y3e2B7ySnl9cuN4x22uRjPrKVwwO2noXOStC3f0fm4kj1f4jmmvI0BoVi-nXh9Cja27V4No-PhqWsAzxyFsdGKuNBiHbA&amp;click=8ffca925-efc5-48ce-aa26-30974fd029dc&amp;hsutk=563e47b25a2a4d68b9e8132f8e1b91e3&amp;signature=AAH58kFEisF6YAUfmYt1yEIV6rSoteHPEg&amp;utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.accepted.com%2F&amp;__hstc=76425034.563e47b25a2a4d68b9e8132f8e1b91e3.1565627464200.1578482693136.1578488466674.332&amp;__hssc=76425034.9.1578488466674&amp;__hsfp=4250193158&amp;contentType=blog-post\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.hubspot.net\/hubfs\/58291\/hub_generated\/resized\/2de43478-9828-4a33-9443-cd74d01659ca.jpeg\" alt=\"Is your dream business school within your reach? Check out the selectivity index to find out!\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A good question: How do I decide where to apply?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Assess your qualifications for each program, as well as each program\u2019s ability to help you follow your North Star, the realization of your short- and long-term,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/reports.accepted.com\/mba\/why-mba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post-MBA goals<\/a>. For each school that you consider, evaluate the following:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><strong>Employment reports.<\/strong>\u00a0Does this school place a significant percentage of grads in the industry and job function that you find most attractive at a salary that makes your MBA worthwhile? For example, 19% of Vanderbilt\u2019s 2019 MBAs went into healthcare, making that school a smart target for applicants interested in this space. 37% of Yale SOM\u2019s 2019 class went into consulting.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Curriculum and educational approach.<\/strong>\u00a0Will you perform better in a highly structured program, or a flexible one? (Darden has a one-year core curriculum that all students take. In contrast, Chicago Booth has only one required course and a flexible core.) Do you want a program that is case-based? (Darden and HBS) Highly experiential? (Ross, Haas, and MIT Sloan) Or a mixture of case, lecture, and experiential? (Kellogg and Yale SOM)? Do you want to concentrate or perhaps earn a certificate in a specific area relevant to your goals? For example, do you seek a globally focused program (INSEAD, anyone?), or one that offers advanced courses in a specific area? Duke Fuqua excels in Energy Finance courses; Georgetown McDonough is strong in the intersection of business and government; and UCLA Anderson, USC Marshall, and NYU Stern are all known for their Entertainment and Media offerings.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Extracurricular opportunities.<\/strong>\u00a0Important learning takes place outside the classroom. Look for special programs, competitions, events, treks, and other opportunities where you would like to contribute and learn.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Personal factors.<\/strong>\u00a0Do you have a significant other or children? Do you thrive in big cities, or in smaller communities? Can you handle snow? Or oppressive heat? If you visited different campuses, where did you feel at home? Where could you really envision yourself being for two important years of your life?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>After you study what each school can offer you, turn the question around:\u00a0<strong>What do you bring to the table?<\/strong>\u00a0Even in a slightly less competitive environment, admissions committees will be carefully looking at your qualifications. They need assurance that you have the academic chops and credentials that show you can thrive, or at least survive, in their programs. Does\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/how-an-admissions-committee-views-mba-work-experience\/\">your professional experience<\/a>\u00a0(and perhaps volunteer work) demonstrate that you will be both a leader and a team player, eager to contribute? Can you show in your application that you share your target programs\u2019 values and mission?\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/focus-fit-episode-162\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cultural fit and common values<\/a>\u00a0are important to b-school gatekeepers, who tend to be proud of their communities. Finally, what makes you distinctive personally? Where is the \u201cwow\u201d factor in your personal story?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Another good question: What if I\u2019m not competitive at the schools I\u2019d love to attend?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You have three options:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><strong>Improve your qualifications.<\/strong>\u00a0Take classes in your areas of weakness, especially if business-related, and earn A\u2019s. Prepare again, retake, and raise your GMAT\/GRE. Look for opportunities to expand your responsibilities and impact at work. Assume leadership roles off the job. Obtain international exposure.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Look at other programs with an open mind.<\/strong>\u00a0Find programs that can help you realize your aspirations and where you are more likely to get accepted. Your dream program may be a stretch, but give it a try! No need to reject yourself, but also apply to programs where you are competitive and that support your goals.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>A combination of 1 and 2.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The MBA is worth it to some and not to others<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>While the blaring headlines may be attention-getting, you should base your decision whether and where to apply for an MBA on a solid foundation of self-reflection, research, and analysis. Done properly, this process should be deeply purposeful and even gratifying. For today\u2019s MBA applicants, declining application volume means you are a buyer in a buyer\u2019s market. Even elite programs are wooing applicants with bigger fistfuls of scholarship dollars, helping you achieve a richer ROI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The MBA may be in an era of retrenchment, but it is hardly toast. In fact, if you go after your MBA thoughtfully and purposefully, you could someday eat the lunch of those who focused on the sky-is-falling-down headlines and unwisely chose not to apply to a program that could enrich the rest of their professional lives and is enriching yours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/admissions_straight_talk\/p\/www.accepted.com\/hubfs\/Podcast_audio_files\/Podcast\/is_an_mba_worth_it_2020.mp3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-66551\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/ListenToTheShow-1.png\" alt=\"Listen to the show!\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/is-an-m-b-a-still-worth-it-11569184032\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Is an MBA Still Worth It?<\/a><br \/>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/paying-for-your-mba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paying for Your MBA<\/a><br \/>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/services\">Accepted\u2019s MBA Admissions Consulting Services<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Related Shows:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/marco-denovellis-businessbecause-a-conversation-about-todays-mba-marketplace-episode-317\/\">A Conversation About Today\u2019s MBA Marketplace<\/a><br \/>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/hbs-22-student-launches-innovative-new-student-loan-start-up-episode-341\/\">Entrepreneurship at HBS: How Stride will Help You Fund Your Future<\/a><br \/>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/how-to-leverage-an-hbs-education-the-story-of-leveredge-episode-313\/\">How to Leverage an HBS Education: The Story of LeverEdge<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Subscribe:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/s?fid=34489&amp;refid=stpr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/admissions-straight-talk-stitcher.png\" alt=\"Listen to Stitcher\" width=\"225\" height=\"66\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/subscribeonandroid.com\/blog.accepted.com\/feed\/podcast\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blubrry.com\/soa\/BadgeLarge.png\" alt=\"Subscribe on Android\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/admissions-straight-talk\/id499238715?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&amp;ls=1&amp;mt=2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"123\" height=\"46\" class=\"wp-image-35673\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/itunes.png\" alt=\"Get it on iTunes\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/feed\/podcast\/\"><strong>Podcast Feed<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/cs\/c\/?cta_guid=0e8c0447-67d2-439a-9b98-1ccbc03b1d0e&amp;placement_guid=6f59af66-a942-476e-a35a-feafe5c6a5c2&amp;portal_id=58291&amp;canon=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.accepted.com%2Fwhen-is-the-mba-worth-the-time-and-money-episode-346%2F&amp;redirect_url=APefjpFCUcyIFVmxPCyzq6gpSmJKX4lad111PuLtrfe5jszr8VFiNJTPUkubco1Bmi7k7j7cQG2FXX1QmEoTK9BCOYyC5xA6weCG75Mcf8UyTnWkjoauy53Flz5lSGmPiOj80C4-sKgbHfB9SJIo3eF2qa-Cm1YUNq5TTT5qOdE9MQ05_qoH4A1i-4RJIiuNIT7n7DasaHXEyB38SV0yr7zGPNcMuueyQJwkXoQP3fIrwh4UiGoQybaqM_GwN6JLfMWJFTdndwUcXmGE7swp2XpVqb9kRWcIfuKkzoAaLQqTmFgT_rRTfTQ&amp;click=28d683bc-f982-4bd4-b88a-416cf2a40113&amp;hsutk=563e47b25a2a4d68b9e8132f8e1b91e3&amp;signature=AAH58kH_0iBHLRFznoip4EEF2mow-g2RMQ&amp;utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.accepted.com%2F&amp;__hstc=76425034.563e47b25a2a4d68b9e8132f8e1b91e3.1565627464200.1578482693136.1578488466674.332&amp;__hssc=76425034.9.1578488466674&amp;__hsfp=4250193158&amp;contentType=blog-post\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.hubspot.net\/hubfs\/58291\/hub_generated\/resized\/3f0f2e2b-d5f3-4a02-80bd-f79604cd1017.png\" alt=\"Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One - Download your copy today!\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/when-is-the-mba-worth-the-time-and-money-episode-346\/\">This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">help you get accepted<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Accepted founder Linda Abraham discusses when pursuing an MBA justifies its cost [Show Summary] Linda Abraham, Accepted\u2019s founder and president explores the latest headlines about the value of an MBA.\u00a0This&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,939,775,113,243],"tags":[171,169,2042,2058],"class_list":["post-47768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mba","category-accepted","category-admission-consultants","category-applications","category-blog","tag-business-school-worth","tag-mba-worth","tag-podcast","tag-roi-of-the-mba","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47768"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59212,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47768\/revisions\/59212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}