Online MBA & Other Postgraduate Degrees Delivering Top ROI Benefits
TL;DR
- The financial return on an online MBA is significant since MBA graduates experience 50-120% salary increases within 2-3 years of degree completion.
- The specialized master’s degree leads to new career paths. Tech, data science and management degrees are highly lucrative.
- While you earn the same degree, costs are significantly reduced with an online MBA compared to a traditional on-campus program.
- A large percentage of MBA graduates receive promotions within 2 years, which means online MBA can lead to faster career advancement.
- Networking is a key part of MBA and these connections provide opportunities throughout your career.
- Advanced degrees provide frameworks and thinking skills that always prove useful. Simply put, your skills stay relevant for longer.
Let’s first consider the return on investment. When you are spending two years and a lot of money on higher education, you might be interested in knowing if it’s worth it. However, not all degrees are equal when it comes to ROI. The good news is that online MBA programs and some specific postgraduate degrees are delivering the strongest returns in the Indian education market.
Still, the question is which programs actually pay off. How do you calculate real ROI beyond the salary?
Let’s break it down.
The MBA Advantage: Numbers That Matter
Here’s why an online MBA stands out in terms of ROI in India:
Within three years of graduation, the average MBA graduate in India can experience a salary increase of 50-80%. The number can often exceed 100% for those in consulting, finance or tech.
Let’s consider this in real terms. Suppose you are earning INR 6 lakhs per year. Then, a 60% increase brings you to INR 9.6 lakhs, which is an additional INR 3.6 lakhs annually.
Quality online MBA programs in India typically cost between INR 2 lakhs and INR 8 lakhs total. So, even if you spend INR 7 or 8 lakhs on an MBA, you can break even on your investment in less than two and a half years. It also means pure profits for the rest of your career.
However, salary is not the only measure of ROI since an online MBA has several other significant advantages:
- 75% MBA graduates receive a promotion within two years of completing their degree.
- For 89% graduates, the degree has significantly improved their career prospects.
- In the case of 82% graduates, the degree meant access to positions they would not have qualified for otherwise.
In the long term, the financial benefits are even greater as these career advancement opportunities can compound over time.
Beyond MBA: Other High-ROI Postgraduate Degrees
While online MBA is typically always in the spotlight, some other online postgraduate degrees also deliver excellent results in the Indian job market.
Master’s in Computer Science or Data Science
Technology roles are among the most highly-paid in the Indian economy. If you have a master’s degree in computer science or data science, it can boost your salary by INR 3 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs annually.
A data scientist with a master’s degree earns somewhere between INR 12-18 lakhs per year, compared to INR 6-9 lakhs for those who only have a bachelor’s degree.
The demand for tech skills is high across virtually every industry, from IT services to fintech, which means the ROI here is particularly strong.
Master’s in Healthcare Administration
Healthcare is among the fastest-growing sectors in India. With a master’s in healthcare administration (MHA), you are ready for leadership roles in hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms and healthcare technology.
The average salaries for MHA graduates range between INR 8-15 lakhs. Experienced professionals can earn INR 20 lakhs and above. It means the cost of the degree is retrieved within 2-3 years.
Master’s in Finance or Financial Management
A master’s in finance can deliver excellent returns for those who are interested in investment banking, corporate finance, or financial analysis.
The starting salaries of finance master’s graduates often range between INR 8-12 lakhs. There is also rapid growth potential in India’s fast expanding financial sector. Moreover, the quantitative skills you learn apply across various industries, providing higher career flexibility.
The Skills That Actually Increase Your Value
ROI is not only about the credential on your resume but also about the skills you gain.
The best online MBA programs teach you the following:
Strategic thinking. You can see the big picture and make decisions aligning with long term goals. As you advance in your career, this skill becomes even more valuable.
Financial literacy. You learn about P&L statements, budgeting, and financial forecasting. With these skills, you become highly effective in any leadership role.
Leadership and communication. In your online MBA, you also learn to motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and communicate complex ideas clearly. These are all essential skills in India’s collaborative work culture.
Data-driven decision making. Rather than relying on gut feeling, you use analytics and metrics to guide important business decisions.
These skills cannot become obsolete in three or five years. They are foundational competencies, which will only increase in value throughout your career.
The Hidden ROI: Network Effects
The network you build during your MBA is an often overlooked aspect of ROI.
Quality MBA and master’s programs connect you with:
- Peers from diverse industries across India.
- Experienced faculty who have good industry connections.
- Alumni networks from across multiple cities.
- Corporate partnerships with leading Indian companies and MNCs
These connections offer several benefits including increased job opportunities, business partnerships, mentorship relationships and insider knowledge about industry trends.
You cannot easily quantify the value of a phone call to a former classmate, now working at Tata or Infosys. However, these network effects contribute significantly to long-term ROI.
Measuring Beyond Salary: Career Flexibility
Career flexibility is another ROI factor that is harder to measure but still very important.
Advanced degrees give you multiple options. For instance, with an online MBA, you’re qualified for roles in:
- MNCs and Indian conglomerates
- Consulting firms
- Entrepreneurship and startups
- Public sector
- Executive positions across industries
- Family business leadership
This flexibility can be critical in times of economic uncertainty. Suppose one industry struggles, you can easily pivot to another. It is a type of career insurance and that peace of mind is really valuable.
The Long-Term View
There is something important that you should remember. ROI is not just about recouping your investment quickly but about maximizing your lifetime earnings and career satisfaction. So, the online MBA, which costs you INR 5 lakhs but increases your annual income by INR 4 lakhs, does not just pay for itself in 15 months. Instead, it delivers that extra INR 4 lakhs per year for the next many years of your career.
So, rather than just being an INR 5 lakh investment, it is a potential INR 1.2 crore+ return over your lifetime.
When you view ROI through this lens, the decision becomes clearer and easier.
The Bottom Line
While all education does not deliver equal returns, online MBA programs and some other postgraduate degrees are the best investments you can make in yourself. Apart from lower costs, you get continued earnings during your study, significant salary increases, career advancement opportunities and valuable networks. Overall, it creates a compelling ROI story.
Get ready to invest in your future if you are serious about maximizing your career potential. These degrees offer proven returns that other investments can hardly match.
Rather than considering whether advanced education pays off, it is important to think if you are ready to make an investment that transforms your career trajectory.
FAQs
Typically, you can break even within 1-2 years after completing your degree. Suppose your program costs INR 5 lakhs and you get an INR 3.5 lakh salary increase. In this way, you can recoup your investment in just 17 months.
Yes, employers value these degrees. However, the program should be from a UGC-recognized university or accredited institution. Several well-known employers, such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HDFC, and major consulting firms recruit online MBA graduates.
On average, you can get a salary increase of 50-80% within 2-3 years of completing your MBA. However, those who are in consulting, finance or tech can even get increases of 100-120%.
