Q&A: Is business school good value for money?

Is company university excellent worth for money? This is not just about the 6-determine cost of returning to full-time examine for an MBA programme — NYU Stern, for instance, estimates costs of $233,000 above two years.

It applies more commonly to any person wondering about attending company university — for any training course. The price tag of the two-year section-time executive MBA programme at Wharton is estimated by the university at $214,800, which includes housing and foods through weekend visits to campus.

The genuine worth, for many pupils and would-be pupils, lies in the training, networks and occupation development. But do these justify the top quality price tag of a prime company university, as opposed with the options — or not likely into additional education at all? Many firms now operate in-home management education and company colleges supply bespoke executive training programs for company consumers.

The dilemma of worth has been thrust back again into the highlight by coronavirus and the impact it has had on training. Is the price tag worthwhile when you are stuck at dwelling seeing lectures through video conferencing? No question so many MBA pupils have signed petitions, demanding tuition payment refunds.

The dilemma of what is a reasonable price to shell out for leadership education has been rumbling for several years.

At its root lies the dilemma of tuition service fees, which had been escalating at perfectly previously mentioned inflation charges for several years due to the fact the 2008 fiscal crisis. But it is also about the price tag in terms of time: when many work can be performed from any place — as many of us have found out — why not obtain abilities when and exactly where you remember to?

Some company colleges now allow pupils to shell out for individual training course modules, spreading price tag and the time commitment. Many others supply accessibility to totally free additional examine immediately after graduation.

Substitute models of learning to obtain management abilities supply unique approaches of understanding, such as peer-to-peer examine above applications. Many others pressure flexibility, supplying immediately after-get the job done examine in specific abilities such as negotiation tactics or public speaking, taught by practitioners fairly than academics. Is this the long term of company training?

Are you nevertheless preparing to attend company university — and if so, which training course appeals? Or do you feel employers, submit-crisis, could invest in more in-home training for senior staff members — rendering some company colleges vulnerable?

FT gurus answered viewers responses and concerns in the responses thread underneath this article on Monday June fifteen.