Is an MBA degree becoming more for the Rich in the Time of the Pandemic?

An MBA Degree that is already considered costly is becoming far more extravagant for the MBA applicants

An MBA degree is considered a ‘fancy’ degree because of its delicacy and costly financial aspect. It is, however, doubtful because of the opportunity costs that arise with pursuing an MBA degree. With the global economy’s volatility starting to stabilize after the years of the Covid pandemic, this presents a dilemma for potential students. Engaging in a full-time MBA degree is costly, with only individuals who have the luxury to take time off from work can afford to take the program.

Being able to pursue an MBA degree financially is not a new issue. But with the pandemic impacting the global society and economy, the burden of funding has flourished for MBA applicants. In the current economy, it is well worth spending the money to get an MBA degree because a job with a requirement of an MBA can easily pay a six-figure salary.

According to Leila Guerra, the vice dean of London’s Imperial College Business School, the ability to fund their MBA courses has become a greater concern among the MBA applicants and students. Further, consideration of the financial aspect of an MBA degree and the opportunity that can be gained when the MBA opportunity is a hot topic of discussion due it today’s uncertain times.

Though, despite the high cost, an MBA degree is considered a great pathway with many career benefits. With knowledge of jobs with higher salaries and connections gained from their graduate schools, Guerra explains that the crisis results recruiters demanding more competent individuals with an MBA degree. Even with the future becoming more unpredictable due to the pandemic, she claims it’s also a good time to apply for an MBA program and be ready for the job market when demand for MBA graduates grows.

The expensive cost of an MBA is both a burden and a challenge

An MBA course is a heavy financial investment. It requires thoughtful consideration before you decide to pursue the degree. Therefore, the pandemic raised the issue of whether the value of the course is fair. This is due to the fact that the courses are being taught online due to the closure of campuses. Discontentment among the students has led to schools promising to open and resume the teaching on-campus if the conditions are met. “Everyone including students, staff, and faculty will return back to the campus if they are fully vaccinated”, according to the associate dean of admissions at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business in Washing DC, Shelly Heinrich.

The closure of the campuses around the world sparked a petition by students with the idea of courses being too costly when the teaching occurs online. Thus a request for a refund or discount of the fees was demanded. However, with the campuses opening up and higher vaccination rates among the western countries, the movement of this petition was no longer given any attention. Heinrich added that tuition fees will stay as it is because of the opening of school after the high vaccination rate.

IESE Business School in Spain has collaborated with Caixabank to offer students a loan for both Spanish and international students and GyanDhan for Indian students. With a costly course fee, many schools are offering more support for their students with financial difficulties.

It is a growing concern as many financial institutions are ceasing their support to the students due to the pandemic’s impact on the economy. Paula Amorim, MBA admissions director at IESE, raised a concern on this matter. “This phenomenon is a widely recognized especially on those whom are coming from developing countries with weaker economy. Not able to fund their courses because of banks prohibiting or limiting the loan is becoming more prevailing.”

Various methods to outweigh the financial hardship from MBA

Financial hardship is being acknowledged by the MBA schools. From partial to full tuition fees, MBA scholarships are being presented to a diverse range of classes. The range of scholarships and financial assistance has increased over the years despite the pandemic. ESADE Business School in Barcelona has set a record for the highest number of scholarships given out last year. McDonough School of Business in Georgetown has reduced and waivered numerous application fees to those with financial hardship backgrounds.

But international students have to consider more factors during the pandemic. Imperial College Business School in London relieved the partial cost of the hotel quarantine fees that international students must partake in. Additional support has been granted, such as a fund for those in financial difficulty and pastoral care during the pandemic.

Alongside the financial assistance from the school, opportunities to earn a fair income have been introduced through the form of teaching assistantships or internships to uphold their cost of study. Various MBA schools in North America offer summer internships where the salary can be up to $9,000 dollars a month if you are from the top schools. However, Amorim from IESE, suggests that with the high competition and intensity of the MBA program, taking any sort of job away from your study can affect your grade substantially. “Working and studying in IESE at the same time is a challenge when the course requires high academic demands.”

Funds and support from the company are a common way for MBA students with bright prospects. However, schools are witnessing the decline of this support in times of crisis to reduce operating costs. Guerra from Imperial says “There is a clear evidence of showing companies lacking on the enthusiasm to sponsor students. This is for the business to survive the new reality.”

Even with the reduction of sponsorships, the opportunity to get an MBA degree is still there. Heinrich from Georgetown explains “The crisis merely reduced the opportunity. With the growing market and industry after the pandemic, there are still many employment that can be found.”

Importance of MBA in the future.

The global economy is unpredictable and is currently in a stage of upheaval. But because of the current situation, many experts emphasize the benefits of pursuing the MBA course at the moment. They claim that in the end, the return from the MBA degree will be more beneficial than the high financial fee and the years of study invested.

Many schools, including HEC, increased the number of applications and admissions last year. The director of MBA admissions at HEC Paris, Benoit Banchereau, says “Companies in the time of pandemic and also the future will demand more competent individuals. Therefore, the importance of an MBA degree from the top schools will become more advantageous.”

Founding partner of admissions agency Menlo Coaching in the Netherlands, David White, agrees and states the importance of an MBA degree’s long-term value. “MBA will become crucial to form a strong network, better skills in communication and with easier entry in fields such as management consulting, investment institutions and other lucrative areas.”

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