Is an MBA Worth It?

What to Weigh Before You Apply

An MBA can open new possibilities for your career. The key is choosing a program that supports the direction you want to take, whether that means stepping into management, changing fields or building a broader understanding of business. Before applying, compare the program’s career outcomes, total cost and time commitment with what you want to accomplish—and how you would use the degree.

MBA Resources and Insights

Key facts about the UNCG MBA

45

credit-hour MBA from an AACSB-accredited business school.

FLEXIBLE

Online or on campus with online options.

21 Months

fastest completion time; approximately 2.5 years for part-time students.

$24,500

$24,500 online or $28,000 on campus for 2026–27*

*Estimated tuition fees. Assuming full-time study. Housing and health insurance are excluded; costs vary by track and semester credit load.

An MBA is worth considering when you can connect it to a career goal

Tip: Start with what you want to do next. “Advance my career” is a useful starting point, but a more specific goal makes it easier to evaluate a program.

Tip: Look at job descriptions for opportunities you’re interested in, whether that’s managing a team, moving from a specialized role into broader business leadership, or transitioning into a different industry. Which skills appear repeatedly? Is an MBA required, preferred or rarely mentioned?

Tip: Consider where you need more knowledge. Compare the skills and qualifications required for your career goals with what you’ve already learned through experience. Then, look at how an MBA curriculum could help fill those gaps. If your goal requires a narrow technical skill or professional license, consider whether a specialty master’s, certificate or other training might be a better fit.

The value comes from how well the MBA supports your next step.

UNCG MBA salary and employment outcomes provide a starting point

Career outcomes deserve close attention when you are weighing the investment. UNCG reports the following results:

Reported Measure	Early Career Professionals (>5 years of work experience)	Experienced Professionals (<5 years of work experience)
Average employment rate within six months of graduation (2021-2025)	91%	96%
Average salary (2024-2025)	$70,305	$98,104

Salary figures represent reported outcomes for the most recent complete reporting year. Employment figures are five-year averages.

These figures offer useful information, but it’s important to remember that they represent an average, and that graduates’ salaries can differ meaningfully from industry to industry given one’s level of work experience.

For this reason, the employment measure also should not be read as the percentage who secured a new job because of the MBA. Use the data to ask more focused questions. What outcomes are available for people with experience similar to yours? Which industries and roles are represented? How many graduates responded to the salary survey?

If you already earn more than a reported average, that does not automatically make the degree a poor investment. Your goal might involve changing responsibilities or industries. Likewise, an average above your current salary does not establish what you will earn after graduating.

UNCG MBA graduates work across industries and business functions

UNCG MBA graduates land careers at a variety of notable companies and pursue a wide range of positions. You can find our graduates working with employers like Lowe’s, Volvo, Truist, Wells Fargo, LabCorp, Cone Health, and listed alumni roles include everything from credit analyst and global procurement manager to vice president and chief operating officer.

For someone exploring MBA jobs in North Carolina, the next question is which employers and functions fit their interests. Choose a few target roles and investigate the experience they require. An MBA may support your preparation, but you will also need to explain how your previous work and new skills connect to the position.

Tip: Ask alumni about the steps between completing coursework and reaching their current roles. Their experiences can help you understand how education, relationships and work experience came together.

MBA graduates working at a notable company

“Through the MBA program, I’ve been able to expand my professional network and gain the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond my current role. Those experiences helped me secure a Human Resources Associate Relations internship with Food Lion, where I gained hands-on experience and further confirmed my passion for Human Resources. That internship ultimately opened the door to my next step: an HR Operations Specialist role supporting Food Lion stores in the Wilmington area.”

– Sarah Bullins, Class of 2027
Human Resources Operations Specialist, Food Lion

An MBA can support a career change when you build relevant experience

Changing careers often requires more than a new credential. You need a clear explanation of why you are moving and evidence that you can do the work.

Tip: As you evaluate a program, consider how you would use assignments, electives and professional development opportunities to explore your intended field. Could you investigate a business problem relevant to that industry? Could you practice explaining how your existing experience transfers?

You do not need a complete plan before applying, but having a direction helps you make purposeful choices once enrolled.

Career support matters when you actively use it

The Bryan Graduate Career Center offers individual coaching, career workshops, networking and leadership initiatives, and virtual resources.

These services can help you turn a general career goal into a practical plan. Coaching can provide a place to discuss your direction, identify gaps and prepare to communicate your experience.

Tip: Build that support into your plans early. Rather than waiting until graduation to think about your next role, identify milestones you can work toward during the program: refining your resume, researching employers or preparing for interviews.

Weigh the full cost against a realistic plan for using the degree

Tuition is only part of the investment. Include books, transportation, borrowing costs and any changes to your work schedule. Consider employer tuition assistance or other funding, along with any conditions attached.

Time matters, too. Think about the study hours you can protect during a demanding workweek and the responsibilities you will need to arrange around them.

Person contemplating the cost of an MBA program

Frequently asked questions

Is an MBA worth it for working professionals?

Yes, especially when the curriculum, credential and professional opportunities support a clear goal. Compare the investment with the qualifications needed for the roles you want.

Will an MBA increase my salary?

A salary increase is definitely possible. Consider your industry, experience and target role, and distinguish reported graduate salaries from documented salary changes.

Can an MBA help me change careers?

It can support your preparation. A career change also requires relevant experience, employer research and a convincing explanation of how your skills transfer.

How should I evaluate MBA career outcomes?

Check the reporting period, population, response rate and definitions. Ask whether the results describe graduates with backgrounds and goals similar to yours.

Is it worth earning an MBA while continuing to work?

Keeping your job may make the investment more manageable, but school adds demands on your time. Map a realistic weekly schedule before committing.

How do I choose the best MBA in North Carolina for me?

Compare curriculum, accreditation, outcomes, cost, format and support. The strongest fit is a program you can complete and use toward the career you want.

Talk through your goals before applying

Explore the UNCG MBA curriculum and program details, connect with a Graduate Student Ambassador or schedule a Bryan Graduate Discovery meeting. Bring your career goals and questions about cost, scheduling and outcomes to the conversation.

Jennifer Kiger Chapman

Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment
Phone: 336-334-4657
Bryan 301K
Jennifer-BryanGrad@uncg.edu

Savannah Martin

Graduate Recruitment Specialist
Phone: 336-334-4657
Bryan 301F
Savannah-BryanGrad@uncg.edu

How to Get Started

Connect With Us!

Schedule a Bryan Graduate Discovery Meeting