How to Decide Whether to Earn Your MBA Online or On-Campus

Explore the benefits of pursuing an MBA degree online and in person.

Thinking about pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree? You have the difficult decision of choosing between an online or traditional on-campus MBA program for your graduate studies. Regardless of the path taken, earning an MBA degree is a powerful way to build new skills, break into an emerging industry, develop new connections, or advance careers.

Both online and on-campus MBA programs have benefits but you’ll need to decide which delivery method is better suited to your needs.

Benefits of an online MBA program

Discover what kinds of advantages an online MBA program has:

1. Accessibility

With an online MBA program, international boundaries are eliminated as you can learn from anywhere in the world. Online programs allow students to study at your own pace around their schedule. This provides you with the flexibility to earn an MBA while balancing and managing a career, family, or business.

2. Diversity

By design, MBA programs are developed to be adaptable to a wide range of industries and needs, providing you with the opportunity to learn from a variety of viewpoints and backgrounds.

In addition to coursework, MBA programs help you learn from your peers and understand how others see the world. Through collaborative projects and assignments with classmates from around the world who have different backgrounds, experiences, and career goals, you can equip yourself with new ways of thinking and increase your exposure to diverse perspectives on global, social, and business issues.

MBA programs also incorporate case studies that address significant business issues and real-world challenges. Through these case studies, you’ll build diversity by looking beyond your personal bubble and seeing how the world and other organizations operate as a whole.

3. Technology

Online MBA programs are often powered by the latest technology, supporting you in building your mastery of business technology.

Many online MBA programs and universities, including University Canada West, partner with leading business and technology firms, like Amazon Web Services, Digital Marketing Institute, Facebook Blueprint, Salesforce, and Shopify. These partnerships introduce new technology and expertise into the program and course materials.

4. Online network and collaboration

Earning an MBA online allows you to connect with peers, instructors, leaders, and mentors from different corners of the world, building greater networks that transcend international borders. These new networks can lead to unparalleled ventures, including new job offers, business opportunities, skills development, or even just a new friend to visit when travelling.

Benefits of an on-campus MBA program

Explore the advantages to pursuing an MBA program in person:

1. Structured environment

Traditional MBA programs provide you with a structured learning environment that builds a stable routine. This is especially helpful if you learn best in a traditional classroom setting that involves peers and an instructor. Having regular classes scheduled each week in an on-campus environment surrounded by like-minded peers can help motivate you to be more productive and having the ability to directly interact with others can be beneficial if you appreciate the intimate aspect of learning in person.

2. In-person collaboration and discussion

On-campus MBA programs foster deep connections through real-time conversations and discussions that help you build your knowledge and awareness of the world around you. Through in-person collaboration, you can challenge yourself and each other to step out of your comfort zone and traditional ways of thinking to become leading entrepreneurs in the future.

3. Local networking

Build your local network with an on-campus MBA program as you can directly meet and bond with classmates and faculty. With local networking, you can forge and build strong bonds with your connections, encouraging them to become part of a broader community and build relationships outside of the classroom.

4. Direct access to on-campus resources, facilities, and activities

Studying on-campus has its perks. If you choose to take an on-campus MBA program, you’ll have direct access to on-campus resources, facilities, and activities. Whether it’s before or after classes or during breaks, you can take advantage of your university’s resources like the library, study pods, meeting rooms, and more.

University Canada West (UCW) offers both online and on-campus MBA programs. UCW’s MBA program is ACBSP and NCMA-accredited and prepares you for success on a global level. You can also qualify to earn certifications, including Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP), and more.