The part-time MBA program is a good fit if you have other obligations or need to keep working for the two years that it would take to get an MBA through the full-time program. Some advantages of the part-time MBA route are:

●  You can hold a full-time job while pursuing your MBA. Students in full-time MBA programs are attending school for two years before they have the opportunity to look for a job and put their degree to use.
●  Sometimes employers are willing to pay for all or part of your tuition. Of course, if your employer pays for your tuition, expect to sign some kind of employment or loyalty contract. They will want to see a return on investment.

Remember, as a full-time MBA student, you won’t have a full-time job because of the time commitment. At most, you’ll have a part-time position.

After graduation, part-time MBA graduates will face the challenge of convincing their employers that they deserve a higher salary and more responsibility. If your current company doesn’t have a higher-level position available, then the salary renegotiation could be brought to a standstill. Even if your employer paid for your MBA, it doesn’t have to promote you or increase your salary. Historically, this has been a challenge that part-time MBA students face. One way that some MBA recipients have gotten around this is by seeking employment at an entirely new company or searching for a new role that is a good fit for their newly acquired skills and degree.

Both students who earn part-time and full-time MBAs tend to see significant salary increases. However, these jumps in salary are situational and may not take effect immediately in the case of the part-time MBA graduate.

As an MBA graduate, you’ll be applying for roles that offer a higher salary than someone with only a BA or no degree at all. In the current competitive job market, MBA graduates have a distinct advantage because they qualify for a wider range of positions (even without on-the-job experience) and higher entry-level positions than BA graduates. According to U.S. News & World Report, compensation projections published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers predict that the average starting salary for MBA grads in the class of 2021 will be $87,966 – 11.3% higher than the average starting salary among 2020 grads.

Beyond salary, your MBA can provide the following benefits not available to BA graduates:

●  A wider professional network that includes industry professionals and other MBA holders you’ve met through your MBA program
●  More education and an advanced skill set acquired through your MBA program
●  The prestige that comes with having an MBA — a credential that most investors and potential partners like to see

Your MBA can help you qualify for more job opportunities, give you a more solid network, and even offer you a higher salary than someone with only a BA. How much does an MBA increase your salary? We’ll delve deeper into salary information specifics by job title and location (state) below.

How much you earn is going to depend on several factors: Your education, experience, location, and the industry you’re in all play a role and are in constant flux. The salary estimates you get today could very well be different next month, so think of them more as indicators and guides as opposed to hard facts.

One consistent data point is the salary range between those without a degree, BA graduates, and MBA graduates. BA graduates earn more than those without a degree, but MBA graduates earn the most out of the three groups.

The specifics of how much an MBA increases your salary will be broken down below using a few different examples and industries.

As previously mentioned, the salary fluctuates based on many factors, such as job location. The following data from ZipRecruiter covers the average MBA graduate’s salary by state.

AL: $70,964
AK: $75,696
AZ: $75,324
AR: $66,247
CA: $85,331
CO: $70,542
CT: $77,461
DE: $70,430
FL: $68,485
GA: $72,663
HI: $79,499
ID: $80,301
IL: $65,887
IN: $74,841
IA: $70,298
KS: $70,794
KY: $72,224
LA: $71,486
ME: $79,027
MD: $75,360
MA: $81,956
MI: $66,197
MN: $73,712
MS: $66,324
MO: $64,796
MT: $76,107
NE: $74,157
NV: $75,101
NH: $87,018
NJ: $75,915
NM: $69,799
NY: $89,875
NC: $60,326
ND: $75,143
OH: $73,148
OK: $68,923
OR: $71,841
PA: $77,725
RI: $76,234
SC: $70,793
SD: $72,948
TN: $73,682
TX: $77,877
UT: $72,139
VT: $82,138
VA: $73,185
WA: $95,694
WV: $78,103
WI: $73,455
WY: $80,341

The BLS has salary information for several job titles. For the average MBA salary by state, we’ll examine the careers of project management specialists and business operations specialists, as these positions tend to require an MBA.

AL: $88,070
AK: $82,950
AZ: $73,910
AR: $60,930
CA: $83,390
CO: $87,360
CT: $85,110
DE: $85,850
FL: $68,970
GA: $75,800
HI: $76,780
ID: $71,440
IL: $79,970
IN: $67,470
IA: $69,280
KS: $75,630
KY: $69,010
LA: $62,060
ME: $70,200
MD: $94,770
MA: $91,730
MI: $73,770
MN: $73,960
MS: $65,720
MO: $77,420
MT: $61,180
NE: $74,680
NV: $68,010
NH: $75,990
NJ: $83,250
NM: $89,090
NY: $92,060
NC: $77,750
ND: $74,790
OH: $75,420
OK: $76,150
OR: $73,350
PA: $84,180
RI: $86,550
SC: $72,870
SD: $69,400
TN: $63,310
TX: $82,750
UT: $73,410
VT: $70,140
VA: $92,320
WA: $83,490
WV: $62,490
WI: $63,710
WY: $77,060

If you’re interested in increasing your current salary, the data is clear: an MBA gives you the best opportunity to qualify for leadership roles and higher-paid positions. Multiple sources show that MBA holders are likely to have higher salaries and enjoy improved career opportunities than those with just a BA degree. Pursuing an MBA will take some upfront investment of time and money, but both the short-term and long-term benefits make the degree a worthwhile investment if you’re interested in a higher salary or additional leadership opportunities in your industry.

The first step to getting an MBA is to research MBA programs. Our recommendation engine can help you find the perfect program for your learning style, schedule, and career goals.

With Pearson Pathways, you can start researching MBA programs today.