Significant ROI

MBA students come from a variety of disciplines and professional situations. Some have bachelor’s degrees in business administration, and others haven’t taken a single business class. Some enroll in an MBA program immediately after earning an undergraduate degree. Others work full or part time and are looking to advance professionally, change careers or launch their own businesses.

Almost without exception, they view the MBA as an investment in their future. In many cases, that investment starts paying dividends soon after the program is completed—with job offers at significantly higher salaries than those paid to graduates who do not have an MBA.

According to the 2017 Alumni Perspectives Survey Report, published by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC):

95%

95 percent of alumni view their graduate management education as a good to outstanding value.

93%

93 percent say their degree is personally rewarding, 91 percent say it is professionally rewarding, and 76 percent say it is financially rewarding.

86%

86 percent strongly agree that their education prepared them for leadership positions, 85 percent say it prepared them for their career, and 82 percent say it increased their earning power.

92%

Knowing what they do now, 92 percent would still pursue a business management degree.

I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t have my MBA. I know that.

— Andrew Miller, MBA ’15 Clarkson University O ne-year residential program, Potsdam

Andrew Miller, MBA ’15, data insights product manager at Coupa Software in Silicon Valley, is a case in point. He enrolled in Clarkson University’s accelerated full-time MBA program after earning a Bachelor of Science in Global Supply Chain Management, also from Clarkson. His MBA coursework included a concentration in data analytics.

Miller was recruited by Coupa and had an offer in hand before graduation. He joined the cloud-based spend management software company as a supplier enablement analyst and was promoted 20 months later.

“I pursued the MBA because I thought it would help me further develop critical business decision-making skills, help fulfill a certain salary expectation, and push me to achieve my goals,” he says. “It was a challenge, but already I’ve had opportunities and career growth. I attribute a lot of that to earning the MBA. I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t have it. I know that.”

At Coupa, Miller expected to use the problem-solving, presentation and management skills that were emphasized in his MBA program—and that has been the case. He was pleasantly surprised to discover other applications of his education, as well.

“The program was so intense and covered so much information that you had to learn quickly,” he says. “Now, if a problem comes up in a meeting, I can solve it, develop and execute a plan very quickly—and still manage my work. I honestly believe it’s because of the MBA program and the creativity and quality of work that was expected.”