Updated on 23rd March 2025 | 11:26 a.m.| #OnlineMBA
Recently, the popularity of Online MBA courses has grown, providing individuals with a flexible and convenient route to acquiring a prestigious business degree. Online MBA courses enroll for degrees, even from different countries, without travelling there, while most of them get away with going through their study at their own pace, whether day or night. And for yet another additional reason, when compared with traditional counterparts, Online MBA programs are far cheaper.
Most of the Online MBA courses have become structured to accommodate weekend-only classes, making them appealing to working professionals and aspirants with busy schedules. Students pursuing an Online MBA get the opportunity to specialize in areas such as finance, marketing, data science, operations, and human resource tailoring their study of education to career aspirations. Notably, average fees of Online MBA fall within the range of INR 3L to 10L.
Read the article to get an understanding of Online MBA, Online MBA Average Fees, Online MBA Courses, and Online MBA Syllabus.
An Online MBA is a distance educational program designed to offer courses related to business management and is equivalent to obtaining a Master of Business Administration. The entire program does not require the student to be physically present on a given campus since the lectures, coursework and discussions are all conducted over the Internet.
One of the key features of the whole online MBA course is that:
Online MBA Course: The Online MBA course is an extension program of the institute or the university providing the Online MBA course. It is addressed as an Online MBA course, but employers value it equally highly across India and outside of it. The table below contains details of the key Online MBA course so that one can see how it works.
Features Of Online MBA Course Details |
|
Feature |
Description |
Course Name |
Online MBA |
Course Level |
Postgraduate |
Course Duration |
2 years |
Specialization |
Online MBA |
Entrance Exams |
CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, etc. |
Course Fee |
INR 3 Lakh to INR 10 Lakh |
Average Salary |
INR 5 Lakh to INR 15 LPA |
Job Profiles |
Business Manager, Product Manager, Operations Manager, General Manager |
Best Colleges |
IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, SPJIMR |
Mode of Study |
Full-time, Part-time, Online, Distance |
Note: The course fee and the average salary aforementioned are subject to change and may vary.
While an online MBA can be one of the best programs for those working or needing flexibility, there are many reasons to consider it:
1. Flexibility & Convenience:
2. Cost-Effective:
3. Career Enhancement :
4. Broad Selection of Specialization Options:
5. Global Networking Opportunities:
Although minor variations are inevitable with different institutions, the admission process for Online MBA course programs typically undergoes the following critical stages:
1. Eligibility:
2. Entrance Exams:
3. Shortlisting:
4. Further Assessments:
5. Interview:
6. Selection and Admission:
The Online MBA courses and subject industry are the result of continuous review and innovation by the faculty with the help of students, alumni and physicians in the industry. The courses and subjects of the Online MBA course are divided into two years. The course helps implement equipment, skills, concepts, and techniques. Here is a list of Online MBA subjects which are taught to students:
Online MBA Course Syllabus |
|||
Semester I |
Semester II |
Semester III |
Semester IV |
Quantitative Methods |
Organization Effectiveness and Change |
Marketing Management |
Legal Environment of Business |
Management Science |
Information Technology Management |
Management of Information System |
Strategic Management |
Business Communication |
Management Accounting |
Human Resource Management |
Strategic Analysis |
Operation Management |
Financial Accounting |
Economic Environment of Business |
International Business Environment |
Financial Management |
Managerial Economics |
Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility |
The Online MBA course is meant for the students to gain the necessary skills and knowledge that will enable them to pursue a successful career in strategy. This specialized degree opens up several job roles as well as different career opportunities in various other forms.
Whatever your goals—starting a business or improving performance—these roles will have opportunities everywhere. The table below shows a portion of the important job opportunities with their average packages for reference:
Career Opportunities After Online MBA Course |
|
Industry |
Job Roles |
Finance |
Finance Analyst, Corporate Finance Manager, Investment Banker, Portfolio Manager, Risk Analyst |
Marketing |
Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, Product Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, Market Research Analyst |
Human Resources |
HR Manager, Recruitment Specialist, Compensation & Benefits Manager, Training & Development Manager, Employee Relations Specialist |
Operations |
Operations Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Project Manager, Logistics Manager, Production Manager |
Consulting |
Management Consultant, Business Analyst, Technology Consultant, Strategy Consultant |
These are a few of the top Indian MBA B-schools that hold an Online MBA from both the private and government sectors, covering the said area of specialization under the Online MBA course, and a list of the top B-schools that must be considered while thinking of Online MBA course details:
Top B-schools For Online MBA |
|
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM A) |
Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM B) |
Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM L) |
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIM K) |
Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM I) |
XLRI Jamshedpur |
Management Development Institute |
Symbiosis Institute Of Business Management |
Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak (IIM R) |
Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur (IIM U) |
Some prominent recruiters across various industries tend to consistently hire Online MBA graduates due to their diverse experience, business acumen, and flexible learning backgrounds. Here are some top recruiters :
Top Recruiters in Online MBA Courses |
|
TCS |
Infosys |
Wipro |
Cognizant |
IBM |
Capgemini |
Accenture |
Hindustan Unilever Limited |
Like with physical MBA programs, online MBA has its own merits and demerits. While traditional MBA programs have seen a higher number of applicants than online MBA courses this year, there is, however, a surprising jump in the enrollment figures of working professionals through the latter avenue. Here is a detailed comparison with which choosing which one to pursue ahead will help you:
Parameter |
Regular MBA Course |
Online MBA Course |
Classroom Experience |
In-person lectures and interactions |
Virtual classrooms and digital interactions |
Flexibility |
Fixed schedule, less flexible |
A flexible schedule that can be balanced with work |
Networking Opportunities |
Extensive in-person networking |
Limited to virtual networking but with a potentially wider global reach |
Cost |
Generally more expensive (tuition, accommodation, etc.) |
Usually more affordable |
Duration |
Typically 1-2 years full-time |
Can be completed part-time over 2-3 years |
Work Experience |
Often requires leaving current job |
Can be pursued while continuing to work |
Campus Resources |
Full access to on-campus facilities and resources |
Limited to online resources |
Internships/Placements |
Often included in the program |
Maybe self-arranged or virtual |
Brand Recognition |
Traditional format, widely recognized |
Growing recognition, but may still face some scepticism |
Specializations |
May be limited to the school's offerings |
Often offers a wider range of specializations |
Global Exposure |
May include study-abroad programs |
Virtual global exposure through online collaborations |
Government MBAs can be budget-friendly with strong reputations and networks but may have limited seats, older facilities, and less flexibility.
Yes, companies generally accept online MBAs, especially if earned from a reputable institution. The stigma against online degrees has faded considerably, and employers increasingly value skills and knowledge over the format of your education.
Yes, an online MBA degree is valid in India and is increasingly recognized and accepted by employers.
Whether CAT is needed for an online MBA depends on the college, program type, and specialization. While top institutions often require CAT, many others offer alternative entry criteria like work experience or their exams. Consider your options and choose the program that best aligns with your goals and needs.
Online MBA costs vary widely, starting around ₹30,000 per year in government colleges to over ₹8 lakhs for blended programs at top private institutions.