The question about MBA costs is one of the most common questions that interested parties ask themselves. At the same time, she is one of the most misunderstood. Because the price of an MBA program does not just consist of tuition fees. If you want to understand the actual costs, you have to look further. For time, opportunity costs, additional expenses and long-term benefits.
This article gives a realistic and complete classification.
Tuition fees for an MBA vary widely. In Germany and Europe, they typically operate in different areas. Public universities often charge fees in the range of around 10,000 to 20,000 euros. Private universities usually cost between 15,000 and 40,000 euros. Top international programs can cost 50,000 euros and significantly more.
Online and part-time programs are often below traditional MBAs, as infrastructure costs, travel expenses and long absences are eliminated.
It is important that the prize alone does not say anything about the quality, recognition or actual benefits of a program.
Many interested parties only compare the advertised fees. In practice, however, there are further costs that are often underestimated or not taken into account at all.
Time is a key factor. An MBA requires several hours of study time per week. This time is not available for work or private life and has real economic value, especially for experienced professionals.
Many programs also include travel expenses and attendance phases. Travel, accommodation, meals and absences from work can add up to several thousand euros over the course of study.
In the case of full-time programs, there is often a loss of earnings. Reduced working hours or a complete interruption of work are often the biggest cost block of an MBA program, but are rarely openly communicated.
An MBA conducted entirely online significantly reduces many of these additional costs. There is no loss of earnings. Travel and accommodation costs are omitted. Learning times can be flexibly integrated into everyday working life.
For experienced specialists and managers in particular, an online MBA is therefore often the more economically sensible decision, because continuing education and career do not have to be pitted against each other.
The MBA from Opresnik Business School is priced at 16,800 euros plus VAT. As a result, the program is in low to middle range comparable internationally oriented MBA programs.
In relation to traditional presence MBAs or international programs with mandatory on-site phases, this price is very competitive. At the same time, additional costs remain manageable, as the study is carried out entirely online and there is no loss of income.
For many experienced professionals, it is precisely this combination that is decisive. An internationally recognized MBA with a clear academic structure, without high additional costs and without interrupting your professional career.
The term cheap MBA is frequently searched for. However, it is not the lowest price that is decisive, but the ratio of costs, quality and benefits.
An MBA is useful when the degree is recognized, the content is practice-oriented and the study remains realistically compatible with professional life.
A very inexpensive MBA without clear academic involvement or without proper recognition can do more harm than good in the long term, even if entry costs appear low.
An MBA is not a short-term consumer decision. It is an investment in professional capacity, strategic thinking and leadership responsibility.
It can facilitate access to leadership roles, expand strategic competencies and open up new career prospects. Whether an MBA is worthwhile therefore depends less on the pure price than on how well it fits your own career phase and goals.
The honest answer is that an MBA costs money, time and personal commitment.
The more decisive question, however, is what does it cost to not do an MBA and stop professionally.
If you look at costs, structure and benefits realistically, you can make a well-founded decision. Regardless of whether the MBA costs 12,000 euros, 16,800 euros or 30,000 euros, the decisive factor is what professional added value it provides in the long term.