Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA

Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA

#MBA
Arushi PanditaUpdated on 02 Sep 2025, 01:15 PM IST

As reported by Validated Insights Inc., preference for fully online MBA programmes doubled from 22% to 44% from 2018 to 2023. This trend enhances the appeal of an online MBA degree, which offers flexibility, accessibility, and convenience, making the programme a preferred choice for working professionals and students.

Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA
Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA

There are 77 online MBA colleges in India that offer quality education and real-world insights, enabling students to secure top roles in multinational corporations. These UGC-approved colleges provide students with several online MBA specialisations, allowing them to focus on diverse management fields and enhance their expertise for better career opportunities.

While online MBA programmes offer numerous benefits, their long-term impact on employability and skill building remains a question. Success depends on return on investment (ROI), student efforts, and skill development. Popular career options after online MBA include project managers, management consultants, and marketing managers.

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The Growing Trend of Online MBA in India

As per UGC data, online education enrolments surged by 170 percent, while open and distance learning saw a 41.7 percent rise in 2022. The data highlights the increasing popularity and acceptance of online MBA programmes in India. Approved by AICTE and UGC, online MBA programmes have gained immense credibility and have become a relevant choice for students and working professionals.

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Top B-schools for online MBA courses in India are provided in several disciplines. These programmes cater to students seeking quality management education. For instance, IIM Ahmedabad Online MBA includes 900 hours of classroom sessions and blended learning, enhancing credibility. Enroling in such programmes ensures authenticity, strong ROI, and valuable benefits, making an online MBA from top Indian B-schools a smart choice for career growth.

To understand the growth of online MBA courses in India, let us look at the 2023-24 UG and PG enrolments of Amity Online, and SRM University Online:

Amity Online UG and PG enrolment 2023-24

Programme LevelEnrolment (July 2023)Enrolment (January 2024)

Undergraduate Level

10,389

5,749

Postgraduate Level

15,141

10,659

SRM Online UG and PG enrolment insights 2023-24

Programme LevelEnrolment (July 2023)Enrolment (January 2024)

Undergraduate Level

681

632

Postgraduate Level

2,295

2,198

The rise of online MBA programmes reflects a variation in enrolment trends in the academic year 2023-24. Amity University Online saw UG enrolments drop from 10,389 (July 2023) to 5,749 (January 2024), while PG enrolments fell from 15,141 to 10,659. Similarly, SRM University Online UG enrolments declined from 681 to 632 and PG enrolments from 2,295 to 2,198.

Since Indian universities offer admissions to online UG and PG programmes twice a year, this decline can primarily be attributed to the biannual intake cycle, leading to variations between admission cycles rather than a drop in overall demand for online education.

Also Read: Online MBA for Working Professionals in India

Are Online MBA Courses Bridging the Skill Gap or Widening It?

As per the Press Information Bureau, India’s unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent in 2023-24 from 6 percent in 2017-18. This raises a question of whether online MBA bridges or widens the skill gap. Like traditional programmes, online MBA courses equip students with industry-relevant expertise, helping them develop in-demand management skills for career growth.

An online MBA from a top institute in India enhances management skills, but students must actively seek practical experience. Beyond institutional opportunities, they should build their brand, pursue skill-building certifications, and secure internships or placements. Students should focus on proactive efforts that help bridge the skill gap, ensuring real-world expertise and better career prospects.

SRM University, for instance, offers workshops and placement opportunities, helping students secure management roles in top multinational firms. Ultimately, the success of an online MBA in bridging the skill gap depends on both the institution’s curriculum and the student's active approach. Choosing a credible institution ensures graduates gain relevant skills and stay competitive in the job market.

With flexibility, affordability, and industry-aligned curriculum, these online MBA programmes provide valuable opportunities to students. The rapid rise of online MBA enrolment programmes in leading Indian institutions highlights the importance and growing popularity of MBA online degree courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the future of online MBA?
A:

With increasing demand for management courses, online MBA programmes have increased in popularity among professionals and graduates. The programme enhances career prospects by developing managerial skills and industry knowledge, making it valuable for professional growth.

Q: Will online MBA help me with placement assistance?
A:

Yes, several universities, such as Manipal Online and Amity Online, offer placement support, career guidance, and industry connections for better job prospects.

Q: Why choose an online MBA in 2025?
A:

Online MBA programmes will have higher acceptance, industry collaborations, and advanced learning technologies, making them a strong alternative to traditional MBA.

Q: Do companies accept online MBA programmes?
A:

Companies such as TCS, and Infosys accept online MBA from recognised institutions, focusing on skills and experience rather than the mode of education.

Q: Is there any value of online MBA in India?
A:

UGC-approved online MBA holds value in India, offering flexibility and skill development opportunities to students, making them beneficial for career advancement in various industries.

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Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello aspirant,

Here below I am providing you with the name of some of the best MBA colleges in Hyderabad:

  • Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad
  • The Indian School of Business
  • The ICFAI Business School Hyderabad
  • Woxsen University
  • The Institute of Public Enterprise
  • GITAM Hyderabad Business School

To know about more colleges, you can visit our site through following link:

https://bschool.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-mba-colleges-in-hyderabad

Thank you

Hello,

Here are some top MBA colleges in India with fees under Rs. 2 lakh and their exam/cutoff details:

  • SIMSREE, Mumbai – Fee around Rs. 1.3–1.4 lakh for 2 years. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, MAT, ATMA. Cutoff is very high, usually 99+ percentile in CAT/CMAT.

  • PUMBA (Dept. of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University) – Fee around Rs. 1.2–1.3 lakh. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, ATMA. Cutoff approx. 75+ percentile in CAT, 90–95+ percentile in CMAT, high scores in MAH-CET.

  • TISS, Mumbai (MA HRM & other management-related programmes) – Fee around Rs. 1.7–1.9 lakh. Accepts CAT for some courses. Qualifying cutoff is around 60–70 percentile, but final selection cutoffs are higher.

These are the main government institutes where the full MBA/PG programme fee is within Rs. 2 lakh. Cutoffs vary slightly each year and by category, but SIMSREE and PUMBA generally need high scores, while TISS has its own process along with CAT shortlisting.

Hope it helps !

Yes, MBA in FinTech is a good option if you are interested in the combination of finance and technology. After this course you can work in roles like FinTech product manager, financial analyst, blockchain/crypto specialist, risk & compliance manager, or business development manager in banks, startups, and financial companies.

For the salary part, freshers usually start with around 5–10 LPA in normal companies and in bigger FinTech firms or banks it can even go up to 10–15 LPA, depending on your skills, college, and location.

If you do Data Science and then an MBA in Finance, you can get many high-paying jobs. Some of the best options are:

1. CFO (Chief Financial Officer) – You manage a company’s finances, budgeting, and reports. Big companies pay 40 lakh to 1 crore per year.

2. Investment Banker – You help clients raise money and do mergers or acquisitions. Salaries start around 10–12 lakh for freshers and can go up to 30 lakh or more with experience.

3. Chief Data Officer – You lead data strategies in companies. Pay can be 80 lakh to 1.3 crore per year.

4. Machine Learning Engineer / AI Scientist – You create AI and ML models. Salary is around 35–42 lakh per year.

5. Product Manager – You manage product strategy and market positioning. Can earn 89 lakh to 1.1 crore per year in big tech companies.

6. Financial Actuary – You analyze financial risks. Pay is around 25–30 lakh per year.

Hello,

If you have made a mistake while entering your education details in KEA PGCET MBA option entry, you cannot edit it directly once it is submitted. You need to contact KEA immediately.

You can:

  • Call the KEA helpline numbers.

  • Or visit the KEA office with your documents.

They will guide you on how to correct the mistake. Do it quickly, as corrections are allowed only within the given time.

Hope it helps !