How to Get Your Employer to Pay For Your MBA
Earning an MBA holds tons of value in the business world—an advanced business degree can open doors that may otherwise have been closed, and boasts a high return on investment thanks to the top-level salaries that MBAs command.
Graduate school—and all of the coursework that comes with it—can be an intimidating challenge, but paying for it doesn’t have to be. Aside from scholarship, grant and fellowship opportunities at business schools across the country, more and more companies are placing a higher importance on tuition reimbursement programs, and expanding opportunities for paid MBA tuition reimbursement.
How can you get your employer to pay for your MBA studies? Let’s take a closer look.
Getting Your Employer to Pay For Your MBA
First thing’s first: You need to find out if your current employer offers tuition reimbursement to its employees. The terms of reimbursement vary depending on the company, with some corporations not offering any sort of program at all. Those that do offer some sort of compensation may do so on a course-by-course basis, or as a lump-sum reimbursement package for coursework in relevant degree plans.
“Organizations typically support MBA pursuits for two reasons,” J. Todd Rhoad, managing director of Atlanta’s BT Consulting, told USA Today. “Employee development and succession planning. In the first case, companies support the cost of MBA programs as part of their commitment to employee training and development.”
If you want to convince your employer that your education is worth investing in, you’ll need to show that earning an MBA will further your business acumen and understanding of your industry, and ultimately help your company reap those benefits.
“Usually, an employee has to already been delivering great results within the company,” Roderick Lewis, international relations director at the ISCTE Business School, University Institute of Lisbon, told Business Insider.
“If you haven’t already convinced your company, then asking them to [sponsor your education] becomes really difficult,” Lewis says.
USA Today also outlined a few checkboxes to hit when determining how valuable earning an MBA would be for your organization:
- Do current members of middle or upper management hold advanced business degrees?
- Does your company have the available revenue to invest in employee education?
- Would someone with the type of advanced training you seek bring clear advantages to the company?
If those point hold true in your situation, then start researching which programs specialize in providing the skills that your company needs. Keep in mind: You do not have to limit yourself to business schools in your metro thanks to popularity of Online MBA programs. There may have once been a stigma against online programs, but the of the matter fact is that many of the top online MBAs on U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings also rank highly on the publication’s top campus-based graduate business programs list.
Some of these schools include:
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
- Indiana University – Bloomington (Kelley)
- Temple University (Fox)
- Arizona State University (Carey)
- University of Florida (Hough)
- Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
- University of Texas – Dallas
Once you’ve found the right program, you’ll want to craft a brief proposal for your employer. In it, you’ll want to mention how you fit the company’s tuition reimbursement policy, and list the advantages that continuing your education can bring you and your company. Don’t shy away from providing data on how much assistance you may need and how this investment will pay off for everyone, while also ensuring your employer that you’ll remain committed to the company during your degree program, or won’t jump ship after earning your degree.
“A proposal should address the benefit to the company,” Rhoad says, “(including) areas where the company could improve and how you will help them, a review of the courses to be taken and how they will provide knowledge that can help improve the company’s performance.”
Companies That Provide MBA Tuition Reimbursement
Investopedia recently compiled a list of companies have stated that they place a high value on their tuition assistance benefits, and provide tuition reimbursement for the educational costs of an MBA.
According to Investopedia, consulting companies lead the market in tuition reimbursement programs for MBA courses. These firms also pay the highest salaries for MBA alumni. Deloitte has the most robust tuition reimbursement plan, providing employees with up to $10,000 per year in MBA reimbursements. The firm requires two years of work with the company and a commitment to work for the company after graduation in order to receive the tuition assistance benefit.
Financial institutions and banks also place a high value on employees with MBAs, and provide tuition assistance. One example is Bank of America, which provides employees with annual tuition assistance of up to $5,250 for advanced degree coursework. Wells Fargo also has a track record of paying for MBAs, doling out up to $5,000 annually for tuition expenses.
The booming tech sector is also hiring MBAs left and right, with some firms developing their MBA talent in house by offering to pay MBA tuition expenses. Apple tops the list of tech companies offering tuition assistance, providing reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually. MBA degrees are even more coveted in the the specialty defense technology sector, as Raytheon, one of the top defense technology companies in the world, offering to pay up to 100 percent of employees’ college tuition for graduate school.
Other leading companies offering tuition reimbursement to employees include:
- Chevron: A market leader in the energy sector, Chevron offers offers tuition reimbursement of up to 75 percent for its employees.
Ford: Ford’s education tuition assistance program provides employees with tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for an MBA. - Procter & Gamble: This firm has one of the leading tuition reimbursement benefits in the consumer goods industry, providing reimbursement for up to 80 percent of educational costs with a limit at $40,000.
- AT&T: This telecom giant provides employees with up to $5,250 annually for tuition assistance, for a maximum reimbursement of up to $25,000 for graduate school courses.
Finding the Best Return On Investment for Your MBA: Dallas
Choosing the right MBA program can feel overwhelming. With nearly 800 accredited business schools in the United States, the idea of wading through the information on every program is intimidating to say the least. A variety of features, such as a school rankings, internship opportunities, and an extensive alumni network may be huge factors where you choose to earn your master’s. But one of the most important variables to consider is a program’s return on investment (ROI). It is essential to pick a school with an enviable ROI, as this will ensure that the time and money you dedicate to earning your MBA are not for naught. Given the considerable cost of higher education, it is important to attend the school that will give you the most bang for your buck.
The Best Dallas MBA Return on Investment
Cox School of Business – Southern Methodist University
At the SMU Cox School of Business, students can expect an admirable rate of return on the cost of education. The tuition rate of $45,976 per year for the two-year program is among the most enviable in the U.S. The average graduating salary for MBA’s was $96,587, which is more than double the yearly cost of tuition. This school is also ideal for students hoping to global perspective, as students at Cox have the opportunity to participate in an international MBA exchange program, which allows them to continue their education in Latin America, Europe, Australia, or Asia. Simply put, SMU Cox doesn’t just provide one of the best Dallas MBA return on investment opportunities, but one of the best in the country overall.
Hankamer School of Business – Baylor University
Baylor’s Hanker School of Business is another excellent option for students seeking a respectable ROI. The full-time program can span from 16 to 21 months, with a tuition of $20,597 per semester (over about three to four semesters, depending on course load and core requirements met during undergrad). According to Hankamer’s website, the average starting salary for MBA graduates in 2017 was $73,314. Additionally, Hankamer’s Career Management team is nationally-ranked, and can provide extra support for students seeking help with job placement.
McCombs School of Business – University of Texas at Austin
The MBA program at the McCombs School of Business currently costs $30,750 per semester, bringing the total tuition to about $123,000. The cost will is steeper for non-residents (closer to $189,000). Though the cost of tuition at McCombs is nothing to sneer at, neither is the reward. In fact, the most recent MBA class had an impressive average starting salary of $117,068. McCombs, which is also one of the largest business schools on this list, also has an extensive alumni network, which includes the CEOs of Southwest Airlines (Gary C. Kelly) and Heinz (William R. Johnson).
Naveen Jindal School of Management – University of Texas at Dallas
Like many of the schools we mentioned on this list, the Naveen Jindal School of Management has a solid track record when it comes to ROI. Tuition for the full-time MBA program is just $32,998 for in-state residents and $64,332 for non-residents. In addition to the reasonable cost, the school’s website states that 80 percent of students receive scholarships that cover an average of 45 percent of the total program cost. In 2017, U.S. News & World Report stated that the school’s MBA program, “… had the highest salary-to-debt ratio among ranked business schools.” According to the article, average starting salary for graduates (of those who were employed within three months of graduation) was $86,644.
Neeley School of Business – Texas Christian University
At TCU’s Neeley School of Business, the average starting salary for the most recent graduates of the full-time MBA program was $93,093, surpassing the total tuition of $88,020. Moreover, Neeley boasts a 92 percent employment rate 90 days after graduation. Recent graduates have taken jobs at renowned companies like Ernst & Young and IBM. In addition to standard core classes, Neeley introduces a great deal of experiential learning into the curriculum. At the end of their first year, students participate in an Integrative Project that offers them the opportunity to apply their skills to real-world business obstacles via a week-long simulation.
DeGroote Business Looks Back on Successful 2017, and its Future
The MBA program at the McMaster University DeGroote School of Business is changing the game for prospective MBAs in Canada, offering a valuable return on investment, strong network of partners and alumni, and diverse student body.
Since 2010, the school’s full-time and co-op MBA programs have been based at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Center, transforming into a top-rate business education at one of the highest-ranked universities on the planet. In fact, the 2017 Academic Ranking of World Universities named McMaster the 66th best university in the world. Today, the Ron Joyce Center is not just home to DeGroote’s MBA program but also to the school’s Health Leadership Academy (HLA), Executive MBA in Digital Transformation (EMBA), and Digital Transformation Research Centre.
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DeGroote’s MBA program took another step forward just last year, when university staff and faculty took a deep look into best practices throughout North America to reform the MBA into an even more comprehensive business education. Inspired by insights from students, alumni and faculty, the program integrated features such as cohort classes, case studies, and a series of foundation weeks at the start of the program. “The foundation weeks, in particular, introduce critical business skills and principles to new students at the outset of the program,” commented Will Weisner, Director of the MBA program at DeGroote. “As a result, students begin their MBA journey with the foundation to succeed in the classroom, at their co-op jos, and in their leadership and networking activities.”
The numbers don’t lie when it comes to return on investment: something we’ve previously noted in our highlight of the most valuable Toronto MBA programs. In 2016, 102 students graduated from the co-op stream, earning an average of $71,930 after joining the workforce. For the 84 students graduating from the full-time MBA, the average salary $60,125.
There’s more exciting developments for the DeGroote MBA in 2018 as well. Currently, the school is reviewing proposal for a part-time blended MBA that would offer a blended learning experience combining both online and in-residence components. You can read more about whats in store at DeGroote here.
USC Marshall Professor Explains the Return on Investment of Gratitude
Glenn Fox, the Head of Design, Strategy and Outreach for USC Marshall’s Performance Science Institute, believes that being thankful comes with a significant return-on-investment in business. According to a press release, Fox has focused his latest research on correlating gratitude and human performance. Continue reading…
What Are The Most Valuable Toronto MBA Programs?
For prospective MBAs, looking at the price tag of earning a degree can be startling- and may even deter talented business leaders from pursuing an advanced education. The fear is certainly justified: an MBA from some of North America’s top business school can reach upwards of $100,000.
Yet, when considering the well-recorded increase that most professionals witness in their salary after earning an MBA, along with a greater likelihood of finding employment, the seemingly impossible cost of an MBA can seem more within reach.
Factors like the cost of a degree, salary increase after graduation and employment rate of graduates are all key numbers that must be considered together before one can determine the true cost of a degree. Below, we take a glance at these different numbers and round up the Toronto MBA programs that provide the best return on investment.
Ivey Business School – Western University Canada
The Ivey Business School at Western University Canada MBA program began in 1950, and has since established itself as one of the best offerings in the world. The business school’s rich legacy has been recognized again and again by the likes of Bloomberg, which touted its MBA as the 11th best international MBA program in 2017. Ivey, with its main teaching center on Western University’s campus in London, Ontario, offers a variety of MBA experiences, such as an full-time, Accelerated, and Executive MBA. The Tangerine Leadership Centre in Toronto’s downtown business district also offers EMBA courses through the Ivey Business School.
The full-time MBA at Ivey is a 12-month program that costs $88,250 to attend for domestic students and $101,500 USD for international applicants. According to the most recent Ivey employment report, about 91 percent of the 169 students in the Class of 2017 earned a job opportunity shortly after graduation, reporting an average salary of $103,560. More than one-third of the Class of 2017 also earned a singing bonus upon employment with a median value of $15,000. Signing bonuses for Ivey MBA grads ranged as high as $45,000 alone, proving that even with high price tag, the degree can immediately pay off.
Ivey Return on Investment (In USD)
| Ivey MBA Tuition | Median Signing Bonus | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| $88,250 | $15,000 | $103,560 |
Schulich School of Business – York University
The Schulich School of Business at York University offers students a number of ways to pursue an advanced business education, from full-time, Executive, and International MBA programs as well as offering Master’s degrees in accounting, finance, business analytics, and more. The Schulich International MBA is the first of its kind in Canada, and the Kellogg-Schulich Executive MBA is North America’s first ever cross-border executive MBA degree. However, length of programs should be taken into consideration, since it will determine the time without a full-time income; an important distinction for students that are looking to enter the workforce as soon as possible. At 16-20 months, an MBA at Schulich will take slightly longer to earn than year-long programs like at Ivey.
Roughly 89 percent of graduates from Schulich’s MBA programs find a job within three months, earning an average base salary of $91,860 USD and an average singing bonus of $12,050. Full-time MBA students at Schulich will pay a tuition of $77,900 during the life of the degree, while part-time students pay $81,000. Meaning, grads typically earn about $10,000 more in their first year of employment than the entire cost of the program.
Schulich Return on Investment (In USD)
| Schulich MBA Tuition | Median Signing Bonus | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| $77,900 | $12,050 | $91,860 |
Rotman School of Management – University of Toronto
The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto can boast of origins dating all the way back to 1901, when the university first established a diploma program in commerce. By 1972, the School of Business was an official part of the university, and hasn’t stopped growing since. Today, the Rotman School of Management has become universally recognized by the likes of Financial Times the and Bloomberg as one of the best business schools in the country. Located in downtown Toronto, Rotman offers a two-year, full-time MBA degree, but also more flexible options such as part-time morning and evening MBA programs, executive MBA, and an 18-month Global Executive MBA.
The two-year, full-time MBA tuition at Rotman comes with a price tag of $101,350 CAD ($74,999 USD). However, graduates—80 percent of whom typically find employment within three months after earning their degree—saw a median base salary of $85,000 and median signing bonus of $13,500. This salary increase seems to be typical of MBA graduates in Canada, so considerations of employment rate and program duration may be most important when evaluating Return on Investment for top programs in Canada.
Rotman Return on Investment (In USD)
| Rotman MBA Tuition | Median Signing Bonus | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| $74,999 | $13,500 | $85,000 |
Finding Philly’s Best MBA Return on Investment
It’s no secret that Philadelphia’s relatively low cost of living has historically made the Birthplace of America an attractive option for those in search of a big city experience outside the skyrocketing markets of other major East Coast cities.
As people flock from the New York metro region in search of a similar urban adventure at a substantially lower price point, Philadelphia has been controversially dubbed the “6th Borough.” Word to the wise for potential b-school interlopers: never tell any Philadelphian their home has been annexed by New York City.
About 90 minutes by train from New York City, the City of Brotherly Love is no Big Apple, but it’s one-of-a-kind. Sure, tourists and locals alike grip cheesesteaks in one hand while pumping their fists on the steps of the Art Museum a la Rocky, but the city reveals itself to those who have the patience (and wherewithal) to dig into it.
Whether that means embarking on a two-year MBA program or choosing among the accelerated options available, Philadelphia just happens to be home to several top ranked MBA programs in the world. Let’s take a close look at Philly’s programs. Oh, and here’s a napkin for the wiz.
Philadelphia Return on Investment
University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business
Officially the oldest business school in the U.S., The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania boasts well-known alumni billionaire financier Ron Perelman, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner, and John Sculley of Pepsi and Apple. Wharton’s tuition of $136,420 and estimated total budget of $195,085 isn’t to be taken lightly. However, full-time MBA graduates earn an average base salary of $130,000 with an average bonus of $20,500, and a supreme 92.6 percent job acceptance rate. So, while having a somewhat unimpressive salary-to-debt ratio, Wharton’s reputation and alumni network precedes itself.
In fact, the school recently topped the annual Forbes best full-time MBA program list, sporting the best five-year financial gain after graduation. Wharton MBA graduates of the Class of 2012 are making a $225,000 average annual salary—roughly 42 percent higher than recent grads, easily topping the cost/debt ratio of the program.
Saint Joseph’s Haub School of Business
Notable alumni of Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University include CEO of NutriSystems, Inc. Michael J. Hagan, Chairman and founder of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corporation James J. Maguire, and Senior vice president of PNC Bank Denise Viola-Monahan. SJU’s $30,294 tuition set against an average base salary of $65,000 means the school offers a competitive MBA to those who don’t want to break the bank.
Temple’s Fox School of Business
Fox School of Business at Temple University’s notable alumni include Systel CEO Jai Gulati, former COO and president for ConocoPhillips John Carrig, and CEO of Actavis and co-founder of Health Care Compliance Association Brenton L. Saunders. Fox’s tuition sits at $57,048 for residents and $80,484 for nonresidents. With a 97 percent job placement rate compared to $25,623 average debt and a $85,278 average base salary, Fox’s salary-to-debt ratio looks attractive.
Drexel University LeBow College of Business
The LeBow College of Business at Drexel University alumni include President and CEO of Rohm and Haas Raj Gupta, former CEO of Science Applications International Corp. Kenneth C. Dahlberg, and the Phillie Phanatic Tom Burgoyne. Tuition is $59,565, and graduating MBAs carry an average debt of $43,894. With a reported average base salary of $84,080, LeBow’s salary-to-debt ratio is competitive. Considering the comparatively low price point, LeBow emerges as an incredibly attractive ROI.
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University of Delaware Lerner College of Business
A short 20-minute train ride from Center City Philadelphia and under two hours from New York City, the Lerner College at the University of Delaware has an eye-catching reported average base salary of $90,291. Compared to tuition, which ranges from $33,000 to $55,000, depending on residency, Lerner’s ROI could shine through if figures hold true for most MBA earners from this institution.
Penn State Smeal College of Business
Although its central campus is located in Happy Valley, PA, the Smeal College of Business at Penn State offers an executive MBA program in Philadelphia. The program is priced at a hefty $102,000, but average graduate debt is reported at $36,500, and median salaries ranging from $97,890 to $101,857. With such an impressive salary-to-debt ratio, Smeal is an attractive option for those who prefer easy metro access rather than living in the thick of the action. Notable alumni include Chairman and CEO of Petroleum Products Corp. John Arnold, and Former Chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch & Co. William Schreyer.
