Yes, an MBA Is Worth It: 5 Reasons to Get an MBA

Are you wondering whether your education is still keeping pace with your career goals? Perhaps you’re looking for new opportunities to advance professionally, or your employer is placing greater emphasis on specialized skills. Or maybe you’re noticing increased competition in the job market.

These are common reasons that people earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Master’s degrees in business are the most popular type of master’s degree awarded in the United States, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. At the master's level, the most degrees (205,800) in 2021–2022 were conferred in business fields.

An MBA can help you build credibility and reputation, open job opportunities, and connect to a better network. This article examines five benefits of getting an MBA.

1. An MBA Enhances Your Career Opportunities

Recruitment of MBA graduates is increasing, reports the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). According to its 2026 survey, 36% of global employers expected to hire more MBA graduates in 2026 than in 2025, and 42% expected to hire the same number. In an increasingly competitive work environment, earning an MBA widens career prospects and sets you apart from other job seekers. Once you earn your MBA, you have shown that you have earned a quality education and that you are committed to lifelong learning.

MBA programs foster thought leadership, innovation, and corporate social responsibility on a global scale. Since the norm has shifted from staying at a company for most of one’s career to a state of steady change, an MBA can prepare and cross-train you in all aspects of business, making you a more marketable employee.

2. An MBA Can Give You the Skills and Knowledge You Need to Be Successful

An MBA can give you the technical skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your chosen career path. You’ll learn the latest business trends, how to develop solutions to business problems, and how to be a good manager. You’ll also gain a broader understanding of how different areas of a business work together, helping you make more informed decisions and take on greater responsibilities. These skills can benefit you throughout your career. Learn more about what you can do with an MBA.

3. Many Companies Require an MBA for Leadership Roles

Certain industries may expect or even require an MBA for promotion to more senior positions. This can be especially true in:

• Business operations
• Finance
• Accounting
• Health care management
• Global management
• Information technology
• Human resources
• Any industry in a complex regulatory environment

Employers in these industries look for the sophisticated management and communication skills that earning an MBA provides.

The same 2026 report from GMAC indicates that recruiters are most confident that business schools can prepare graduates to:

• Handle a complex global business environment: 71%
• Possess a versatile skill set: 60%
• Have strong communication skills: 56%

4. MBA Alumni Consistently Report Positive Experiences

Overwhelmingly, MBA alumni report being satisfied with their degree:

• A survey by the Financial Times and ZHAW School of Management and Law found that 83% of all business graduates rated their degree program highly or very highly — with the strongest, most enthusiastic approval coming from MBA and Executive MBA graduates.
• The Association of MBAs and the Business Graduates Association found that 73% of MBA graduates were either “very satisfied” or “fairly satisfied” with the impact of their program on their careers.
• MBA alumni satisfaction is “consistently high,” reports The CEO Index.

These findings are consistent with those of previous surveys. Most MBA holders say an MBA is worth it.

5. You’ll Make Valuable Business Connections

Being in an MBA program gives you access to mentors, thought leaders, and business leaders. You’ll make important connections via internship opportunities as well. Such networking opportunities are vital to success in the business world.

Plus, the teamwork among your fellow students can lead to great networking opportunities and is often a catalyst in obtaining a new position after earning your degree:

• According to a survey, 54% of workers said they got hired for a job through a personal or professional connection.
• GMAC discusses the power of networking for MBA grads, calling earning an MBA “one of the most effective ways” to build a network.
• In Poets&Quants’ 2025 survey of online MBA graduates, 100% of respondents at 12 programs said they created a network of contacts through their program. At another nine programs, at least 90% said the same.

Learn More About the Online MBA From Purdue Global

Experts believe that business schools are focused on continually staying relevant in today’s ever-changing global marketplace, and that educators at the schools strive — most successfully — to provide their students with the best education possible.

An MBA may give you a competitive edge in the job market, particularly if you graduate from an accredited university. Accreditation indicates that the institution meets established quality standards set by a recognized accrediting body.

Earning your MBA can be an intellectually stimulating and fun experience, and these reasons to get an MBA show the value of this degree.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward increasing your career opportunities and acquiring more valuable business skills, learn more about Purdue Global’s online MBA program. The online Master of Business Administration program at Purdue Global is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Request more information today.