If you’ve made the decision to go to graduate school and earn you MBA, congratulations! The decision you’ve made is an important one and will have a tremendous impact on your future. If you are currently working, and/or have a family, you may find that choosing an online MBA program may be the most convenient option. How do you choose the best online school for you? There are a myriad of options out there and it can be overwhelming to choose the right school. If you are looking for an online school at which to earn your MBA, there are a few questions to ask yourself:

 

Is the School Accredited?

Online schools earn accreditation just like traditional brick and mortar schools. By following a strict set of guidelines and maintaining those standards, a school can earn and keep accreditation. This is important for you because accreditation ensures that you will receive a quality education. In addition, potential employers are more likely to take your degree seriously if it has been earned at an accredited college or university. If an MBA isn’t your last stop, accreditation will ensure that your credits transfer more easily. If you plan on attending school to earn your doctorate, you’ll want to be sure that your credits will transfer!

What Do Hiring Managers Think?

When asked to rank online colleges, hiring managers at top companies have very clear opinions when it comes to online schools. The top schools, as ranked by these professionals, are: Indiana University, Arizona State University, University of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania State University and Thunderbird School of Global Management. Each of these schools require the GMAT for admission and has graduation rates above 80 percent. If you aren’t looking for a job with one of the top companies in the nation, the opinions of recruiters may not matter to you. However, if you are looking to get hired with one of the best companies, you may want to take a very close look at one of these five accredited schools.

Is it a Good Value?

Many people are under the mistaken impression that online schools are cheaper than traditional colleges. You may be surprised to find out that online colleges can be just as expensive, if not more so, than their physical counterparts. This is due, in part, to the extra technology utilized and the extra work load taken on by professors. Before you decide on any online school, consider tuition rates. If you’ll be paying over $35,000 for a two-year degree, ask yourself how long it will take you to make that amount with your new degree. If an MBA isn’t going to boost your salary significantly, you may want to look for an online school with a lower rate of tuition.

Will I Be Successful?

Only you know if you have the discipline that it takes to earn a degree online. Sites like RateMyProfessor can help you decide which online school is going to be the best fit for you. Look for the schools you’re considering and look for student reviews of their professors. Are the professors rated as helpful or are they given poor ratings when it comes to communicating with students? Because you will be attending school online, it’s imperative that you be able to count on your professors for feedback and assistance when you need it if you hope to be successful. Don’t be overwhelmed when it comes to your choice of online MBA programs. With a bit of research, you’ll be able to choose the best school for you and your future.

Nicole Morgan is a career counselor, and blogs for bestonlinembaguides.org where you can find information about the best mba online schools