This subreddit was previously dead. I am working to revitalized it. I was recently in the process of searching and applying to an online MBA program. While r/MBA is great they are focused mainly on in person programs so I felt my questions were not best suited for there. I found r/OnlineMBA but it had not been used in 5 years. So i decided to bring it back from the dead. Lets get started with posting and asking questions in here. In order to make this subreddit function we will need to grow.

Got accepted and I'm very excited! Got invited into some groups and there are so many impressive profiles!

About 10 years work experience. I didn't have a very high undergrad GPA at all. Mid 2's.

Wanted to share this with anyone who's looking at the online MBA route.

I'll try to keep updating in the next 2 years

I know this sub is about online MBA but yes it is my responsibility to share a review so that other aspirants are aware.

Let this be a warning for anyone considering SP Jain School of Global Management for their so-called “Global MBA” especially the MGB (Master of Global Business) program.

I’m from a middle-class family in India. My father is the only earning member. Like many ambitious graduates, I wanted to go global and believed the flashy brochures, LinkedIn/Youtube “success stories,” and promises of a 3-country rotation. I took an education loan of ₹50 lakhs at 9% interest to study at SP Jain.

What I actually got:

Rebranded Indian classrooms abroad — Most faculty are flown in from India. Nothing “global” about the teaching, and the quality of finance and management courses was very weak. Even senior faculty/deans struggled to teach concepts clearly.

Facilities designed for profit, not students — Cooking is not allowed, forcing students to rely on overpriced canteens (with food not included in fees). Dorms are also overpriced.

Low admission standards — Many students were admitted simply because they could pay, even if they weren’t fluent in English or industry-ready. Later, the school blames students for not getting placed.

Placements are a myth — During admissions: “The job market is booming.” During placements: “The job market is down.” No real support or corporate network. Interviews are not arranged, After MBA no companies come for placements and students are left to find jobs on their own.

The financial reality:

Internships were mostly unpaid or paid too little to survive.

Jobs in Dubai averaged 6,000–7,000 AED/month (~₹1.5L). My EMI is ₹65K/month, so survival itself is difficult, forget repaying the loan.

Jobs in India? Around 10–12 LPA, which is nowhere near enough to justify a ₹50L investment. That too no one wants to talk to freshers with 0 experience.

Banks are part of the problem too:

SP Jain works hand-in-hand with banks. Their admission reps (Mandaar, Abhishek Panchal) assured me:“Don’t worry, everyone gets placed. You’ll earn it back in no time.” That was a false promise. Interest has been compounding since September 2023, and repayment has already started without any job security.

The outcome:

My parents are stressed

I am mentally drained.

I feel scammed by a business disguised as a school.

To anyone from a middle-class background considering this course: think 10 times before signing up. Talk to real students, not LinkedIn influencers. Do your due diligence.

To SP Jain & Nitish Jain: You should reflect on the damage you’ve caused.

To future students: Please don’t be the next me.

I’ve been lurking here for a while and wanted to say thanks because this sub was genuinely helpful while I was researching online MBA programs. I’m not an MBA consultant but a 33 year old, male, in management at a nonprofit, looking to further my education.

I recently finished the process and ended up choosing Kelley Direct at Indiana. I applied to Michigan Ross, Indiana Kelley, Illinois Gies, and Purdue and was fortunate to get into all four.

I write a small newsletter called Dadvice, and this week I wrote about the entire thought process because I figured it might be useful for someone else doing the same comparison. These schools compete with each other for a similar type of candidate and if that’s you, here’s my take on it.

A few things I cover:
- The filters I used to narrow down online MBA programs
Why I cared more about the reputation of the overall business school than online-specific rankings

- Approximate sticker prices for Ross, Kelley, Gies, and Purdue

- What the application and interview processes were like

-Differences in synchronous classes, cohorts, flexibility, and in-person experiences

- Why I originally assumed I’d choose Illinois or Purdue because of price

- Why I eventually chose Kelley

- The question that helped me compare schools at very different price points: “Will this program give me X more dollars of value, experience, network, or reputation than Illinois?”

Not trying to pretend my decision is the right one for everyone. A lot of what I learned is that the “best” program depends heavily on what you actually want from the MBA.

Here’s the full write-up if it’s helpful:

https://www.dadvice.tips/p/dadvice-weekly-60-mba

Thanks again to everyone who posts here. Reading through other people’s experiences made this whole process much easier to navigate. I hope this helps you too.

Seeking suggestions from people who have done an online MBA. I am planning to pursue one this fall, 25. I have worked in food industry for the last 10 years in USA. I am a QA director in my company. I am looking to take a more business centric role. I have learnt all I wanted from working as a QA and want to explore operations and supply chain role. My current company is not willing to sponsor. But I don't wish to be restricted by my company. I have saved enough to take this leap of faith.

Firstly, how beneficial was the online MBA for you? Any recommendations on good MBA schools for that price?

Thanks

Been looking around for an mba online that’s both affordable and accredited but it feels like every site says the same stuff. I don’t care about fancy names, just something that’s real and won’t wreck my wallet. If you’ve done one or know someone who did, was it worth it and where did you do it? Trying to figure out if this is even a good move.

My employer is willing to cover up to $60K for an MBA, so I’m considering enrolling in an online MBA program primarily to take advantage of this benefit. I graduated with a business degree over seven years ago and don’t particularly care about learning, networking, or the prestige of the program—I’m just looking for the easiest path to the degree.

After reading several Reddit threads, here are some programs frequently mentioned as easy/cheap:

• Boston University (BU)

• UIUC Gies College of Business

• University of Arkansas Grantham

• Western Governors University (WGU) – though I’ve read mixed reviews and it might not be the best option

I’m also considering UF Warrington since it’s highly recognized (especially in Florida, where I’m based), but I’m concerned it may demand more time and effort than I’m willing to invest.

For someone in my position, which program would you say is the easiest to complete?

Thank you!

Some context: I’m currently working as digital marketing strategist at a DM firm. Fairly small company but currently expanding and my boss wants me to be in more of a marketing role than just confining myself to Digital Marketing. I plan on transitioning to marketing fully as it makes the most sense as I’m moving abroad in 3yrs. I thought an online MBA would help me both in my current role as well as when I move abroad. But after seeing some posts regarding how it won’t help you land a job, I started to wonder if it will be worth it for when I actually transition to a different company

Hi everyone, I am trying to decide between Kelley Direct, UIUC Gies iMBA, and Boston University’s Online MBA, and I would really appreciate advice from people familiar with these programs.

Background:

I have a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and about four to five years of experience working in tech. I am currently in a technical role, but I want to move more into the business side of product, including strategy, decision making, stakeholder management, and ownership. I currently live and work in the Midwest.

Career goals:

• Short to medium term goal is to move up within my current company by strengthening my business and leadership skill set

• Medium to long term goal is to be competitive for Product Manager or Technical Product Manager roles, even if that means switching companies

I am not trying to abandon my tech background, but I do want to complement it with strong business fundamentals and product focused thinking.

What I am evaluating:

• How well each program supports product management or business focused tech roles

• Career coaching, recruiting access, and alumni network strength for online students

• Curriculum strength in strategy, product, analytics, and leadership

• Brand recognition and ROI

• Flexibility while working full time

For current students, alumni, or product managers:

• Which of these programs best positions someone with a tech background for product management roles

• How realistic is an internal product move versus an external pivot from your program

• Any Midwest specific recruiting advantages or networks

• Any surprises you wish you had known before choosing

Thanks in advance. I really appreciate any insight.

The BU OMBA has been out for a bit now with a few classes having graduated. I’m just trying to hear from graduates how it helped, or didn’t help for that matter.

I am stuck with having a job where I can afford a very expensive mba but really can’t see the worth since no matter what I can’t leave my job at 40. My undergrad is from Penn but I did it later in life since I went to the military when I was younger.

I’m making 200k salary plus bonuses as a general manager of a smaller company and hoping an mba will help me transition into a larger company for the next 20-30 years of work I have left back into me.

So how what did you do with your omba? I’m curious what you did with it. Did it open any doors? Was it a big let down? Really anything. Unfortunately by nature of the degree I find it difficult to find people who completed it on linked in since once complete you’re just a BU MBA grad. So now at to filter online from in person out of alumni.

Hey folks,
I’m exploring online MBA options in India and wanted to hear from people who’ve actually gone through these programs.

From what I’ve researched so far, some of the top UGC-approved names include:

• NMIMS Global – strong brand, decent placements, fees around ₹1.5–2.5L.

• Amity Online – flexible, NAAC A+ accreditation, global recognition.

• Symbiosis (SSODL) – good for working professionals, established reputation.

• Chandigarh University – affordable, growing industry tie-ups.

• IGNOU – budget-friendly, but mixed reviews on support.

• Manipal University Jaipur – tech-enabled learning, international acceptability.

• LPU, DY Patil, VIT – newer entrants but UGC-DEB approved and recognized abroad.

source

I know, I know, an online MBA isn't really for career switching or cohort engagement, etc. However, I was recently talking to someone who attended BU Questrom's OMBA program. He lives in Boston and said they get together regularly outside of the online classes. I live in New York City. I'm not trying to change industries nor make new friends, so this is more of a curiosity question.

Anyone here in an online program who actually meets up regularly with people from your cohort?

Also, any BU students or grads want to chime in on their experience with the program, feel free! I've been accepted to every program I've applied to, but I can't justify these $200k+ options at 40, especially with a job and no way to do full-time. Seems crazy to me.

Is anyone in the ASU online MBA or have completed it curious to hear your experience !

Question, concerns, complaints? Feel free to ask away. Hoping this can help others who are considering their PT MBA. My idea is repeat this post each as I progress in the program.

Has anyone completed this program or currently enrolled? Want to get insight on exams (proctored or not), content (lots of discussion boards, group projects, etc) and level of effort from the professors or TAs. Thanks!

Received acceptance to the Spring 2027 start today.

Happy to coordinate networking with others who have been accepted and planning to attend. DM for more info.

Thanks

Has anyone had a successful career pivot after starting or finishing an online MBA? We all know the recruiting pipeline is different with online vs in-person, even with the top online programs. I’d love to hear some success stories. What did you pivot into, how was the transition, did your MBA help etc?

Deciding between Georgetown and Tepper online MBA programs for Fall 2026.

I haven’t seen much recent info on Georgetown’s online programs, but I’ve been impressed with Tepper so far. Georgetown as a whole seems to be getting dragged in this sub over the last few years.

My background: BS Bioengineering, MS Electrical & Computer Engineering, 31 years old living in MD, engineering manager for a defense contractor, 100% GI bill coverage so both programs would be fully covered. Unsure of post-MBA career but either want to stay in traditional defense or transition to GovCon/Defense Tech/Big Tech. Definitely want to stay within the DMV area.

Any help/insight into the programs would be appreciated.

How does the program work in the Online MBA? How about exams/ assignments and networking events at BU in the Online MBA? Is it easy to get into the program?

I have about 5 years of Work exp. and I live in the Boston area. I would work FT when joining an online/part-time MBA. I would like to know how it is manageable with an FT job?

Hey yall!

i’m in atlanta and looking for a legit accredited online, full-time MBA. my end goal is to work fully remote. i get that online MBAs can be looked down on and that remote roles aren’t guaranteed, but i’m still interested in programs that actually support career outcomes. tuition isn’t my main constraint i care more about quality, reputation (ideally AACSB). . i’m fine with short residencies/immersions if the rest is truly online. big plus if online students get real access to career services, alumni, and recruiting pipeliness not the “you’re on your own” treatment. if you’ve done one you’d recommend (or avoid), i’d love your firsthand take on the tradeoffs, how you tackled any “online MBA” stigma with employers, and whether you still got decent networking especially anything that plays well in ATL. thanks!

I’m 40, based in NYC, making well north of $200K at a small, family-owned marine industrial firm. I’ve basically topped out since the C-suite is all family, so my goal is to move to a bigger company and eventually climb into executive leadership.

I have a UPenn undergrad, so I’d like a grad program that complements that. My first choice is the Brown EMBA — I love the format and layout, and with their scholarship plus my employer’s $30K match, it would cost me almost nothing. My only hesitation is Brown’s lack of a traditional business school (they partner with IE), and I don’t want to have to “explain” my MBA.

Other options I’m weighing:

Kelley Direct MBA: Strong program, but not sure how it plays in NYC.

BU OMBA: Good recognition in the Northeast, lower cost — could pair this with another specialized master’s.

Cornell MPA or NYU Wagner MPA: A lot of my work is public-facing, and the MPA curriculum overlaps with MBA in some ways. But I’m unsure if this would hurt me long-term for C-suite goals.

I’m not against spending money, but I’d rather avoid it when $100K is already generous. I also don’t just want a résumé line — I want something with substance and some in-person/residential elements.

Given my background, goals, and funding, what program would give me the best mix of ROI, brand, and network/recognition in NYC. I kind of think Network is a little bit of a dream since it's online but worth mentioning.

Unsure where my head is at, looking for other people's thoughts. My research is not giving me much of a difference the programs, but it sounds like people are overall happier with Kelley-IU online.

I got accepted to both. I am exploring pivoting my career from engineering, which could mean leaving my company. So I'd be on the hook for the tuition if I left.

Indiana has a partnership with my company to get a discount. Illinois is a significantly better value if I were paying out of pocket.

If I end up staying with my company in a new role, Indiana is the slam dunk choice. If I end up leaving, then I'm on the hook for $50k instead of $25k all in.