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, the MBA in Finance at Andhra Mahila School of Informatics is a 2 year program where you’ll study subjects like accounting, financial management, and strategy along with projects and internships. The total fee is around 90,000. Placements are decent, with an average package of about 3.5 to 4 LPA, and companies like Deloitte, Infosys, and ICICI visit the campus. If you stay focused and build skills, you can get good opportunities through the placement cell.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Yes Anil, after completing GNM with 4 years of experience, you are eligible to pursue MBA or PGDM. It’s a good option if you want to grow into hospital administration, healthcare management, or pharma management roles. Institutes like Goa Institute of Management (Healthcare PGDM), Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, or even General MBA programs in reputed B-schools can be considered. Your professional experience will add strong value during admission and placements. I would personally suggest going for a Healthcare/Hospital Management specialization to align with your background.

Hello,

Here are some of the top MBA colleges in Mumbai:

  • IIM Mumbai (NITIE)

  • SJMSOM, IIT Bombay

  • SPJIMR

  • JBIMS

  • NMIMS (School of Business Management)

  • K J Somaiya Institute of Management

  • TISS Mumbai

  • Welingkar (WeSchool)

  • SDA Bocconi Asia Center

If you are looking for top placement and brand value , IIM Mumbai, SJMSOM, SPJIMR and JBIMS are the best.
For affordable options with good ROI , TISS and JBIMS stand out.

Hope it helps !

Hello

As you want to pursue mba near Delhi NCR , we can sugget you some good colleges for that !

The colleges are -

1.Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi

2.Department of Management Studies (DMS), IIT Delhi

3.Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

4.Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi

5.IIM Rohtak (NCR region)

You can go for private colleges too like Great lakes , jaipuria , BIMTECH , IMI

These above colleges provide good placements too , you can surely go for it according to your convenience

Hope this helps !