In an increasingly competitive workforce, degree candidates must consider how they can make themselves more attractive to prospective employers. Gone are the days when a university degree virtually guaranteed a steady job with a solid income.
Graduate degrees have always been a popular choice for people considering how to increase their earning potential and career opportunities. Of the many options available, management-focused Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programs offer numerous benefits when it comes to helping graduates secure steady and lucrative employment. Plus, the online MBA in Management program from Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to advance their education and careers.
This type of flexibility is a crucial consideration if you are thinking about earning an MBA, as are the many ways Southeastern’s management MBA can propel your career outcomes in the short and long term. Read on to discover what a highly respected MBA can do for you.
The MBA Salary Increase: Higher Earning Potential
An above-average salary is just one of the many perks students who earn an MBA in Management can look forward to. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national median annual salary for full-time or salaried workers with only a bachelor’s degree was $80,236 in 2024, compared to over $95,000 for those with master’s degrees.
Clearly, earning a master’s degree can help workers command higher salaries. Earning an MBA can raise the income potential bar significantly. Findings from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) 2025 Corporate Recruiters Survey suggest that MBA graduates in the U.S. can expect to earn, on average, a starting salary in the neighborhood of $125,000. That represents a wage premium of almost $45,000 per year over the median pay for a worker with only a bachelor’s degree and roughly $30,000 more than the annual median earnings of all master’s degree holders.
MBA Career Advancement and Job Prospects
Of course, a generous starting salary means little if jobs in your field are hard to find. Difficulty finding employment, however, is generally not an issue for those with an MBA in Management. MBA graduates’ hiring appeal does not show any signs of abating. More than one-third of global employers surveyed by GMAC reported plans to expand their hiring of MBA grads in 2025.
Additionally, data from GMAC’s 2023 Enrolled Students Survey shows that, on average, survey respondents from professional MBA programs received one employment offer for every five applications submitted. Conversely, aggregated data from several studies, surveys and industry reports suggest that it can take between 32 and 200 applications to land a single job offer in 2025 for the average job seeker. Clearly, job prospects for MBA grads are astoundingly positive when compared to the average job seeker, given today’s competitive market.
Return on Investment: Online MBA Benefits and Value
The above-average salary and enticing job prospects are important to keep in mind when considering whether to pursue an MBA in management through an online MBA program. While investing in an MBA can seem like a significant expense, it can also be an unbeatable investment in your future.
Consider the potential wage premium and return on investment (ROI) of earning an MBA. If you currently have a bachelor’s degree and earn a salary of roughly $80,000, GMAC data suggests you could be earning an additional $45,000 per year after earning an MBA. Over the course of a 30-year career, this could equate to an extra $1,350,000 in lifetime earnings. Notably, this figure represents today’s wage levels. Future wage increases with experience and promotion opportunities could increase lifetime earnings even further.
Granted, MBAs can be expensive, some costing upwards of $200,000 in tuition. Quitting a job or cutting down work hours to attend a traditional, campus-based MBA program for two years could mean you lose out on a lot of income, representing a substantial opportunity cost, a critical factor in determining the ROI of earning an MBA.
Yet, even in that situation, the wage bump for earning an MBA could pay off after several years and generate a significant ROI in the long term. Additionally, Southeastern’s online MBA model adds value to the MBA experience, allowing you to continue working, earning a wage, and pursuing promotions and career advancement opportunities while completing your degree. With this model, you can avoid many of the steep opportunity costs associated with campus-based MBA programs. Offering affordable tuition and the flexibility of online education, earning a management MBA from Southeastern can fast-track your return on investment in grad school.
MBA Networking Opportunities and Professional Connections
MBA graduates also enjoy networking opportunities that last a lifetime. MBAs generally attract leadership-oriented individuals who will go on to work for successful companies. The connections you make with other students during school can be invaluable in your career after graduating.
The educational environment is also home to world-class professors and professionals who engage with students on a regular basis. The relationships you form with your MBA professors and professional contacts can be crucial resources during a future job search.
Business Management Skills and MBA Leadership Development
MBAs appeal to a wide array of professionals from a variety of fields and educational backgrounds. This assortment of people and abilities creates a unique, collaborative learning environment for students.
Southeastern’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Management online degree focuses on providing students with top-notch analytical, managerial, networking, research and leadership skills, preparing them for a wide range of administrative and executive-level job opportunities. The finely honed and multifaceted skill set you will gain from the degree can greatly expand your career advancement opportunities, leadership potential and job versatility.
Advance Your Career and Invest in Your Future With an Online MBA in Management
MBA programs often attract skilled individuals who already have experience in the workforce. An online MBA program can be especially attractive to those who would otherwise find it difficult to balance a job or family obligations while pursuing a degree.
If this resonates with you, your situation and your professional aspirations, an online MBA program could be an excellent fit. Southeastern’s online MBA in Management degree is an affordable, flexible choice if you are looking to maximize your chances of forging a successful, remunerative career in an often disruptive and uncertain marketplace.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online MBA in Management program.