The information economy rewards expertise; that’s why employers continue to value candidates with advanced training and skill sets. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council 2024 Corporate Recruiters Survey, “Employer confidence in graduate management education is growing on measures of graduate success, promotion and earnings—especially in the age of remote and hybrid work.”
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains the preeminent graduate-level business degree, with over 250,000 students worldwide enrolled in MBA programs. Part-time online programs make the degree accessible to many who otherwise could not afford the cost or loss of income required to attend an in-person full-time program. You can earn your MBA online from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business, a flexible, interactive AACSB-accredited program at one of the nation’s premier public universities.
In 2025 as in past years, earning an MBA is worth the required time, effort and expense. Continue reading to learn why.
Bolster Your Skills and Earning Potential With an Online MBA
Contact an Enrollment Advisor to Learn More
The Advantages of an MBA
Earning an MBA can deliver benefits that include career advancement, improved earning potential, networking opportunities, personal growth and skills development.
Career Advancement
An MBA can qualify you for senior positions with higher earning potential. According to a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 74 percent of graduate business students list improved job opportunities among their primary motivations for earning an MBA.
The GMAC 2024 Corporate Recruiters Survey supports this, reporting that MBA talent in the United States enjoyed better employment results than holders of any other business degree, including a bachelor’s. The survey also notes an estimated median starting salary for MBA graduates ($120,000) that is roughly 1.75 times that of bachelor’s degree holders. Poets & Quants calculates a lifetime MBA premium—i.e., what an MBA earns in excess of their counterpart who holds only a bachelor’s degree—of $2.3 million.
Holding an MBA provides a competitive advantage across industries. Career paths open to MBA graduates include:
- Leadership and management roles: decision-making and team management positions, like business manager or CEO
- Marketing and brand management positions: marketing-related leadership roles, e.g., marketing manager, brand strategist
- Finance and investment roles: finance leadership roles include chief financial officer, financial analyst and finance manager
- Consulting and Strategy: e.g., management consultant, business development manager
- Entrepreneurship: an MBA provides the knowledge and skills required to launch a business
Skill Enhancement
MBA programs focus on the skills required to lead teams and organizations. In addition to core business competencies, students learn critical thinking, leadership, and strategic decision-making skills and how to apply them in various professional environments. They also develop soft skills such as communication skills, emotional intelligence, time management and networking.
UT Knoxville MBA student Cara Waters, director of corporate operations at Eco-Energy Distribution Services, explains how the curriculum and teaching honed her problem-solving skills, enabling her to apply classroom lessons at work: “Instead of going on just my experience or gut, I am using the skills being taught to us to determine what is truly an issue and what is ‘noise.’ As a result, I am more effective when we are problem-solving, which is always necessary in an operations job.”
Networking Opportunities
MBA programs open doors to robust professional networks. This is true for online MBA programs, especially at schools like University of Tennessee that emphasize collaborative work.
Online MBA programs generally attract diverse cohorts, enabling students to connect with professionals from various industries and locations. Online students build relationships through online class sessions, group assignments, study groups and discussion boards. They also connect with faculty members with extensive industry expertise during live classes and online office hours.
As a UT online MBA graduate, you will join the Haslam College of Business’s robust network (there are over 18,000 Haslam alumni worldwide, according to LinkedIn) and a Volunteer network of over 275,000 UT graduates.
Is an MBA Worth it in 2025?
To determine the value of an MBA, consider the following factors:
- Return on investment (ROI): Weigh tuition and other associated costs against your prospective ROI. The median starting salary for MBA graduates is $120,000 a year, compared with $70,000 a year for bachelor’s degree holders.
- Employment outlook: An MBA offers greater job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for people with master’s degrees is 2.0% (compared to 2..2% for bachelor’s, 2.7% for an associate’s degree and 3.9% for high school graduates).
- Your career goals: Evaluate whether your professional goals align with the potential career outcomes for MBA graduates.
- Your readiness to pursue an MBA: Earning an MBA is a significant commitment (10-12 hours per course per week). Consider how you would balance your studies with your professional and personal commitments.
Assessing Degree ROI: The UT Online MBA
UT Haslam’s online MBA program is designed to enable working professionals to earn their degrees without relocating or putting their careers on hold. The online learning experience blends live classes with asynchronous course content and assignments to give students maximum flexibility without compromising engagement.
The online MBA curriculum spotlights the business tools and analytical capabilities professionals need to confidently lead teams and drive decisions with a lasting impact. Natalie Copeland, an online student and IT program manager at Ingersoll Rand, observes: “As a program manager, I wanted to gain an understanding of the inputs and outputs to make key strategic decisions. This program has trained me in both financial and execution management processes. I have used tools I gained in classes like Managerial Accounting, Financial Analysis, and Business Modeling.”
Online MBA students at UT learn from industry experts with real-world business experience. Professors supplement course materials with relevant firsthand experience and case studies, exposing students to global business practices and examples of innovative problem-solving. Copland appreciated how Assistant Professor Alan Amling shared anecdotes about his extensive work experience to help her and her classmates better visualize supply chain management concepts.
UT Haslam is an AACSB-accredited business school, indicating that the Haslam online MBA meets rigorous standards and provides quality education. Graduating from an accredited business school offers many benefits, including enhanced career prospects.
Earn a Business Degree Designed for 2025 and Beyond
Earning an MBA is worthwhile. MBA graduates have a positive employment outlook and earning potential in 2025 and beyond. Leading online MBA programs, like the UT Haslam online MBA, offer the rigor and prestige of an on-campus program in an online format. Students benefit from earning an advanced degree without delaying career progress or relocating.
Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about how an MBA can prepare you for success. If you’re ready to move forward, review the admissions requirements and start your application today.