5 Things to Expect From an Online MBA

Online MBA Tips
Listen

Going back to school for an MBA can be a big decision, and students have a lot to consider along the way. Some questions are personal (Why do I want to get an MBA?), and some are practical (How will I afford an MBA?), and still others have to do with the program itself.

All Babson MBAs are grounded in business fundamentals and an entrepreneurial mindset, no matter whether they choose two-year, one-year, evening, or blended learning formats. But, perhaps no program sparks more questions than the blended learning MBA track—a format that blends online MBA coursework with regular face-to-face sessions on campus, and can be completed in less than two years.

We’ve learned a lot since our first cohort of blended learning students started in 2003. Here are five of the most important takeaways.

You’ll apply what you learn right away

The curriculum is designed so working professionals can take courses while working full time. This means that students can immediately put classroom concepts into practice at work: whether it’s a new technique to spur creativity, leadership skills to manage a team, or financial framework to value a business opportunity, you can expect to apply what you learn right away.

You’ll gain confidence as a leader

Aspiring business and civic leaders can unleash their potential by understanding their strengths and weaknesses and finding ways to develop the competencies they need as leaders. Even though much of the program happens online, students still benefit from experiential learning, consulting projects, and other activities that let them practice as leaders so they can hit the ground running when leadership opportunities arise.

You’ll build lasting professional relationships and friendships

You might think learning online will be a lonely affair, but Babson students still develop strong bonds with their classmates. We do this by requiring students to participate in small learning groups and helping them form effective project teams. The intensity and shared experience bonds groups together, and the close-knit community comes to life during face-to-face classes on campus. After graduation, cohorts stay in touch and get together regularly.

You’ll advance in your career

One important reason why students enroll in a Babson MBA is to advance in their careers. After completing their MBAs, many students move into higher echelons of senior management, run larger work teams, or strike out on their own to launch startup ventures. Since working professionals retain their jobs while taking blended learning classes, they can accelerate their careers as they put to use the new insights they learn in school.

You’ll become more entrepreneurial

Babson College has led the way in entrepreneurial education for the last quarter century. Blended learning MBA students and graduates are adept at identifying and taking action on entrepreneurial opportunities. They know what to do and how to do it, and have the confidence needed to make an impact. Whether these initiatives are at their current workplace, in a new startup, or in their communities, Babson students are equipped with the mindset of an entrepreneurial leader.

Posted in Insights

More from Insights »

Latest Stories

Side-by-side photos of the chair and the two students posing for a photo with the chair
From Text Prompt to Furniture: The Story Behind Babson’s AI Dam Chair With groundbreaking artificial intelligences advances, Vaness (Reece) Gardner ’26 and Cole Collins ’26 have created what is believed to be the first full-scale, AI-designed chair on a college campus.
By
Eric Beato
Editor / Writer
Eric Beato
Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.
May 23, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Outcomes

College president shakes hands with a student at the Commencement ceremony
Babson’s Graduates Remember the People Who Inspired Them In the final moments before Commencement, just before marching to the ceremony, Babson’s 2025 graduates reflected on their College journeys and the people who supported and inspired them.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
,
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
May 22, 2025

Posted in Community

Teddy Sourlis holds a microphone while speaking at an event
LISTEN: Changing the Game: The Mind on Sports In Episode 6 of “From Problems to Possibilities,” two Babson College alumni and an expert in mental health philanthropy discuss how entrepreneurial leaders are making an impact at the intersection of sports and mental health.
By
May 21, 2025

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Insights