Online MBA vs Full-time MBA: Which is Better?

Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most sought-after degrees both in India and abroad. MBA provides unmatched insights about the business arena, marketing, HR, finance, or economics. Many people prefer going for an MBA post 2-3 years of work experience to get a career boost.

But, a regular MBA requires a commitment of 2 years. This is giving rise to an online MBA in India that offers more flexibility to the aspirants. Working-class people can balance their education with their work life. But, what exactly are online MBA courses? How is it different from the regular MBA? Let’s find out!

About Online MBA India

As the name suggests, MBA courses online are the remote education equivalents of the postgraduate degree of an MBA. It is different from an on-campus education program. An online MBA in India is an entirely online educational program. It is offered by various universities and educational platforms. Students can scale up their professional academic records through remote learning facilities.

Difference Between Full-Time and Online MBA in India

Following are the major differences between a full-time and online MBA in India:

Parameters	Full-Time MBA	Online MBA
Cost	The cost depends upon the university in which a student enrols. But a full-time MBA is expensive and can cost Rs. 10 lakhs – Rs. 25 lakhs.	Here also, the cost depends upon the university. But an online MBA course is far more affordable than a full-time MBA. It can be completed for as low as Rs. 3 lakhs.
Flexibility	A full-time MBA requires a commitment of 2 years at a stretch. Also, the student will have to relocate to the city of the college or university.	Online MBA offers flexibility as there is no on-campus education. The students don’t need to relocate as they are provided access to video lectures. This allows them to learn at their own pace. There can also be live classes.
Placement	Most MBA institutes offer placement services to their students. It can run into lakhs and sometimes, even crores.	Colleges offering online MBA courses also offer placement opportunities. Candidates can get a decent package through an online MBA. Working professionals can get a good hike in salary and designation after MBA.
Networking	A full-time MBA offers great networking opportunities. Students can develop meaningful relationships during their MBA program.	Online MBA does not involve on-campus learning. But, it does not mean zero networking. Students can develop relations with people that join them virtually all across the country and globe.
Suitability	It is ideally suitable for students who just completed their graduation and are looking for post-graduation.	This degree is ideally suitable for working professionals. They gain a great value addition to their professional attainments and degrees.

Best Online MBA Programs in India

Many people are now willing to go for an online MBA in India. They should check these best MBA online courses in India that are in demand:

Marketing

Marketing is how companies create brand awareness among customers. MBA in marketing management allows learning various marketing strategies, advertising and branding.

The knowledge and technique help in building a narrative around any particular product or service. It can be either through communications, storytelling, management skills or understanding consumer behaviour. As social media reigns, the dynamics of marketing are changing.t

Finance

An MBA in finance helps to obtain a deep understanding of various aspects of finance. This normally includes forecasting business trends, minimising financial risks, maximising profitability, managing capital investment, security analysis, international finance etc.

It equips a student with the desired knowledge to perform financial roles in a company. The financial industry is going through rapid change after fintech came. The demand for MBAs in finance is bound to increase.

Human Resource Management

It is all about managing people. MBA in human resource management helps to learn and focus on hiring the right set of people for the required job roles. It helps in providing them with the necessary direction and guidance and managing them.

Production & Operation Management

MBA in production and operation management helps learn about how to ensure speed, quality and efficiency in the operations and production cells of the company. It consists of two aspects.

Production management provides deep insights into different production techniques. It enables one to produce the largest quantities of goods in the shortest possible time. In contrast, operations management teaches how to handle and make operations more efficient.

Why You Should Go For an Online MBA?

Following are some of the key reasons why one should go for an online MBA instead of the regular one:

• Lower Cost: As stated earlier, an online MBA is far more affordable than a regular full-time MBA. A full-time MBA course is expensive and is not everyone’s cup of tea. The lower fees allow most students and working professionals to adjust the cost together with their other financial commitments. Furthermore, candidates save a lot in terms of lodging, food and commuting expenses which otherwise is incurred in the case of a regular MBA.
• Flexibility: Aspirants get much-needed flexibility with an online MBA. Balancing work, and life, as well as an MBA, can be tough for most people. In such a case, an online MBA allows people to learn at their own pace.
• Better Opportunities: Online MBA is usually preferred by working professionals for better career opportunities. An MBA in their resume can not only increase their pay but also their designation. Further, they can get a good hike if they decide to change their jobs after completing their MBA. Many online MBA programs can also open the doors to global opportunities.
• Networking: Campus networking might not be possible in the case of an online MBA. But it can surely allow students to network with peers across the country and the globe. And who knows, when any opportunity knocks on the door because of networking with some of the most brilliant minds.
• Personal Pursuits: It becomes easier to keep a side hustle with an online MBA. Along with the course, one can go for their own business or startup or even engage in content creation. MBA does not get in way of someone’s pursuits.

Top Colleges for Online MBA Courses India

In India, online MBA is in great demand among students and working-class people. But what are the top colleges offering the best online MBA in India? Let’s check them out:

College & Fees (for the 2-year program)*	Specializations
Amity University, Noida Fees: Rs. 2,53,000	Finance & Accounting Marketing and sales management Human Resource Retail Management Hospitality Management HR AnalyticsInsurance Management
JAIN University, Bengaluru Fees: Rs. 2,00,000	Human Resource Management Marketing Finance Finance and Marketing General Management Project Management Aviation Management Healthcare Management
Manipal University, Jaipur Fees: Rs. 1,54,000	Finance Marketing Retail Management Information Technology Human Resource Management Analytics and Data Science Operations Management
Institute of Chartered Financial Analyst of India (ICFAI) Fees: Rs. 2,00,000	Marketing IT and OperationsFinanceHuman Resource Management
NMIMS University, Mumbai Fees: Rs. 1,44,000	IT and Systems Management Supply Chain Management Retail Management Marketing Management Financial Management Operations Management Business Management Human Resource Management
Chandigarh University, Chandigarh Fees: Rs. 2,00,000	Marketing International Business Management Entrepreneurship Human Resource Management
Indira Gandhi National Open University Fees: Rs. 62,000	Marketing Management Operations Management Human Resource Management Services Management Financial Management
Hindustan University, Chennai Fees: Rs. 1,20,000	Finance Healthcare Management Human Resource Management Aviation Management Marketing Operations Management Marketing and Finance Sports Management
Lovely Professional University, Punjab Fees: Rs. 1,56,000	Marketing Data Science Human Resource Management Finance
DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune Fees: Rs. 1,30,000	Marketing Management Finance Management Human Resource Management IT Management Operations Management Project Management Block Chain Management

Part-Time Jobs for Online MBA Students

Online MBA in India provides the flexibility of learning at their own pace. So, people can do their job while pursuing an online MBA at the same time. Following are some of the part-time jobs that one can do along with the online MBA program:

• Marketing Research: Online MBA students can go for part-time marketing research. It can either be an on-site job or online work from home. Part-time marketing researchers can earn anywhere between Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs per annum.
• Finance Consultant or Executive: One can act as a finance consultant or executive if have opted for finance as a core field. This will give practical insights into how finance in the real world works and what is the role of a finance executive in a company. Part-time finance consultants or executives can earn anywhere between Rs. 1.5 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs per annum.
• Sales Representative: One can do the job of sales representative in a company handling their sales operations. Part-time sales representatives can earn anywhere between Rs. 1.5 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs per annum.
• Human Resource: One can work as an HR in a company if he has opted for it as a core subject in an online MBA course. This will help in brushing the HR skills. Part-time sales representatives can earn anywhere between Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 3.5 lakhs per annum.

Related read: Distance MBA vs Regular MBA

Summing Up – Is Online MBA Worth Doing?

Online MBA is worth the time and effort because it has widespread recognition. But, it should be noted that an online MBA is more fruitful for the working class who cannot spare enough time to go for a regular MBA. For students who have just completed their under graduation, a regular MBA should still be a preferable option. This is because of the value addition it provides.

If certain students cannot relocate or couldn’t afford a regular MBA, then an online MBA will be a go-to option at any time. Being affordable and flexible is the biggest advantage that an MBA online course holds over a regular MBA.

Till the time you complete your MBA, you can become a Chegg Q&A Expert to network with the best minds while earning at your pace and convenience. Gain global academic exposure and the opportunity to meet experts from diverse fields. This will help you build a strong peer network and chart a great career trajectory.

Frequently Asked Questions