Online MBAs have surged in popularity to higher levels than those seen during the pandemic, a new report has revealed. Demand for Online MBAs is rising, with popularity at a higher level than during the pandemic when the majority of business education was forced online, according to a new report.
The study, which was conducted by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), found that 28% of MBA students enrolled between 2023-24 did so in online programs, compared with 25% opting for online delivery between the pandemic years of 2020-22. This increase in online MBA enrollment highlights a significant shift in preferences towards virtual and hybrid formats.
Comparatively, just 14% of MBA students chose online programs in 2019–20, indicating a substantial transformation in the way students are choosing to pursue their business education. The findings come from data collected from over 1,000 AACSB-accredited business schools, including prestigious institutions like Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford.
The report also revealed that while online programs have surged in popularity, hybrid or multimodal MBA programs have similarly gained traction, accounting for one in five students in 2023–24. These programs, which blend online and in-person learning, offer students the benefits of face-to-face networking with the convenience of remote study.
Interestingly, the report also underscored a decline in traditional, in-person MBA enrollments. Only 51% of MBA students chose fully in-person programs in 2023–24, down from 59% in 2019–20—before the widespread shift to online learning influenced by global pandemic restrictions.
Some of the key reasons why MBA students opt for online learning include cost and time, a recent GMAC survey revealed. Online MBAs often come with a lower price tag than their in-person counterparts, while also offering students a greater level of flexibility. Students can schedule classes around a busy family life or career, making it easier to balance their educational pursuits with other responsibilities.
Overall, the rise in popularity of online MBAs and hybrid programs signifies a shift in the way students are approaching their business education. As technology continues to advance and the demands of the modern workforce evolve, online and hybrid programs offer students the flexibility and convenience they need to succeed in today’s competitive business landscape.
