Earning an MBA Degree (Master of Business Administration) degree can provide significant returns in terms of career advancement and salary increases. However, an MBA program can be a significant personal investment, both in terms of time and money. In this article, we will explore how to quantify the return on investment (ROI) from a personal investment in an MBA degree program.
Calculating the return on investment (ROI) of an MBA degree program can help you determine whether it is a worthwhile investment in your career development. Here are the steps to follow to calculate the ROI of an MBA over your career:
Determine the Cost of the MBA Program
The first step is to determine the total cost of the MBA program, including tuition fees, course materials, living expenses, and any other associated costs.
Before evaluating the ROI of an MBA degree program, it is important to determine the cost of the program. This may include tuition fees, course materials, and living expenses if you need to relocate for the program. Once you have determined the cost of the program, you can begin to evaluate its ROI.
Calculate the Time Investment
Earning an MBA degree requires a significant time investment, often spanning two years or more. When evaluating the ROI of an MBA degree program, it is important to consider the opportunity cost of the time invested. This may include the potential salary or career advancement opportunities that may have been missed during the time spent earning the degree.
Calculating the ROI
Once you have evaluated the cost, career advancement opportunities, potential salary increase, and time investment, you can calculate the ROI of the MBA degree program. This is typically calculated by dividing the net gain from earning the degree by the cost of the program.
Calculate the Salary Increase
The next step is to estimate the salary increase you expect to receive after earning your MBA degree. This can be based on the average salary increase for MBA graduates in your field, or the experiences of MBA graduates you know or have researched.
For example, if you expect to earn $70,000 per year before earning your MBA and expect to earn $100,000 per year after earning your MBA, your salary increase would be $30,000 per year.
Estimate the Length of Time the Salary Increase Will Last
The length of time the salary increase will last is an important factor in calculating the ROI of an MBA. This can be estimated based on the average time that MBA graduates in your field typically stay in their jobs, or the length of time you expect to stay in your job after earning your degree.
For example, if you expect to stay in your job for 10 years after earning your MBA degree, your estimated salary increase over the course of your career would be $300,000 (10 years x $30,000 per year).
Subtract the Total Cost of the MBA Program from the Total Salary Increase
Once you have calculated the estimated salary increase over the course of your career, subtract the total cost of the MBA program from the total salary increase to determine the net gain.
For example, if the total cost of the MBA program is $100,000, the net gain would be $200,000 ($300,000 – $100,000).
Calculate the ROI
Finally, calculate the ROI by dividing the net gain by the total cost of the MBA program and multiplying by 100 to express the result as a percentage.
For example, if the net gain is $200,000 and the total cost of the MBA program is $100,000, the ROI would be 200% (($200,000 / $100,000) x 100).
It is important to note that this calculation is based on estimates and assumptions, and may not reflect actual results. Additionally, other factors such as the intangible benefits of an MBA degree (e.g., improved skills and knowledge, networking opportunities, etc.) should also be considered when evaluating the ROI of an MBA over your career.
Conclusion
Earning an MBA degree can be a significant personal investment, both in terms of time and money. However, it can also provide significant returns in terms of career advancement and salary increases. By evaluating the cost of the program, potential career advancement opportunities, salary increase potential, time investment, quality of the program, networking opportunities, and intangible benefits, you can determine the ROI of the program. Using ROI metrics to guide future investments in education and career development can help you maximize your personal and professional growth.
Looking for a cost effective alternative to an MBA? View the GIAM ACCREDITED EXECUTIVE MANAGER QUALIFICATIONS.
