Arguably one of the most recognized and respected qualifications in the world today, having a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a must-have for most scholars.

Having an MBA prepares you for all aspects of your professional career as it covers every core part of the business world. There’s also the option to tailor your degree to fit your current or aspiring career requirements, with a range of selective modules that allows students to dedicate more attention on some subjects in comparison to others.

However, getting an MBA degree can be somewhat difficult as it is just as time-consuming as it is expensive—requiring a lot of hard work and focus on the part of the student. If you’re a full-time worker running a 9-5 job, a small-time businessman or maybe you’re raising a family—or even doing all three combined—it is almost impossible to fit your MBA classes into your busy schedule.

Taking an online MBA is a more flexible and increasingly popular study option for those who want an MBA degree but suffer time constraint among other reasons.

Below are the top reasons to take an online MBA.

1. Larger Choice of Schools

Imagine you live in Toronto and have the desire to get an MBA degree from a University in Australia. It means you’d have to sacrifice a lot of things, by probably leaving your job and all the family commitments you may most likely have.

However, in the instance where there are very limited business schools in the area, studying for your MBA online can be the most efficient choice. It allows you to choose from a much broader range of schools as there are several reputable online-focused business schools springing up.

Many prestigious colleges are equally offering an online learning option and no matter how far away your school of choice is, all you need is a strong internet connection and you’re on your way to earning your MBA.

2.  Better Flexibility

One important advantage of online degree programs is the added amount of flexibility being offered to students.

Unlike attending an offline MBA class, students don’t have to worry about getting to lectures on time and attending classes every day. Rather, most online MBA courses allow students to choose the times that would work best for them and fit it into any of their current commitments.

Therefore, for those working 9-5 every weekday, you can choose to start your lectures during lunch, in the evening, or at the weekends. This allows you to perfectly carryout all of your current commitments to your family and career.

3.  Equal Credibility

A lot of students often wonder if studying for their MBA online will mean they settle for a lesser recognized degree that those who studied at campus instead.

However, the tides have changed, and all stigmas attached to online degrees have long been dropped. In fact, online degrees have become a lot more credible and trustworthy that a lot of employers are beginning to give it due acknowledgement by recognizing the level of self-motivation, self-control and commitment online students put towards earning an online degree.

So, if for example you earned anonline masters degree in data science, you are accorded with the exact same respect and honour bestowed to those who earned theirs studying on-campus.

4. Save Money

Online MBA programs are the perfect option for students who are financially constrained but yearn to earn the degree. While it is not free of charge for a large bulk of it, it is significantly cheaper when compared to studying for your MBA degree via the traditional on-campus route.

For most colleges offering online programs, there are relatively low costs incurred teaching students virtually than on-campus. Therefore, they tend to lower down the tuition fees to about one-third of the expected price for a traditional MBA degree.

5. Various Networking Opportunities

Contrary to popular beliefs, online study programs still provide plenty of opportunities for students to network every day.

Many online students have social media groups where people get to know each other virtually, and they can even organize regular student meet-ups throughout the academic year or during semester breaks.

Additionally, as an MBA student, you would likely attend various conferences and networking events where you can meet fellow students, entrepreneurs, professionals and other like-minded individuals who can help you attain your goals.