Is Distance MBA Worth It? | Cost of Distance MBA Education in India

Distance MBA is an approved course by the government. It is one of the most sought-after courses by working professionals who either couldn’t complete their higher education or need an additional degree for a promotion or better prospects. In May 2018, the University Grants Commission announced that educational institutions could offer MBA distance learning degrees online. If you want to pursue a postgraduate course but cannot enroll in a full-time course due to work schedule or any other reason, you can opt for MBA distance education. Many MBA distance education institutes offer online MBA, correspondence MBA, or a combination of both. In this blog post we’ll explore the Distance MBA course and our question “is distance MBA worth it’ will get cleared.

Types of Institutions Offering Distance MBA

The following types of institutions are recognized by the Government of India for distance MBA:

1. State open universities
2. IGNOU or National Open University
3. Distance Education Institutions (DEIs) at Institutions of National Importance
4. Distance Education Institutions at Stand-alone Institutions such as Government, Private, or Professional Associations

Cost of Distance MBA Education

The cost of a distance MBA is low compared to full-time MBA programs. However, the total cost incurred for a distance MBA is an essential parameter for deciding the college or university. The fees vary based on many factors, with the most important being the brand name of the college and the duration of the program. Let’s take a look at the cost of distance education for some of the top institutions in India:

• Symbiosis Centre of Distance Learning (SCDL)
• Key features:
• Great brand value
• Highly qualified faculty members
• A large number of programs
• High Acceptance
• Fees: 2 years program – Rs 37,000 (Approx)

• NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education
• Key features:
• Brand value
• Offers 2-year and 1-year specialization courses
• Course fee: Rs 83,000

• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
• Key features:
• Many studies centers across India
• Highly recognized for distance MBA
• Course fee: Rs 37,800

• Sikkim Manipal University – Distance Education, Sikkim
• Key features:
• Trusted brand
• 5 lakh alumni base
• Course fee: Rs 80,000

• Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
• Key features:
• Well-known public university
• Meager fee
• Course fee: Rs 25,800
• Amity University
  • Key features:
  • Offers 11 areas of specialization
  • Course material shared electronically
  • 24*7 learning facility
  • Course fee: Rs 1,51,800

Please note that the above-mentioned fees include the program fee only and are subject to change.

Benefits of Distance MBA

Distance MBA offers a lot of perks and benefits. Some of them are:

• Time management: Distance MBA allows you to manage time effectively. You can continue your job and earn a degree simultaneously.
• Cost-effective: The cost of distance education is much lower than a regular MBA. While a regular MBA can cost 8-20 lakhs, distance MBA costs 75,000-2 lakhs.
• Curriculum relevant to the industry: There are many institutions like Symbiosis Centre of Distance Education whose curriculum is best suited according to the needs of the industry.

There are many universities across the country that offer distance MBA programs. You need to compare the study material, course design, distance MBA cost, and other factors to find the best-suited option for you and clear your question, “Is distance MBA worth it?”