MBA ROI Calculator
Model costs, opportunity cost, and outcomes. Get payback period, ROI%, and NPV — with transparent assumptions.
MBA ROI model
Compare an MBA path vs a no-MBA baseline using after-tax cashflows. Adjust assumptions and export/share results.
Tip: Use Quick for a sanity check. Switch to Advanced for opportunity cost, taxes, discount rate, and loans.
Results
ROI and NPV are based on modeled cashflows. Benchmarks are for sanity checking only.
Timeline (year-by-year)
| Year | No MBA | With MBA | Costs | Net | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 67.711 US$ | 5250 US$ | 40.000 US$ | -102.461 US$ | -102.461 US$ |
| 2 | 70.419 US$ | 5250 US$ | 40.000 US$ | -105.169 US$ | -207.629 US$ |
| 3 | 73.236 US$ | 122.630 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 38.247 US$ | -169.382 US$ |
| 4 | 76.165 US$ | 109.335 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 22.023 US$ | -147.359 US$ |
| 5 | 79.212 US$ | 113.708 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 23.350 US$ | -124.009 US$ |
| 6 | 82.380 US$ | 118.256 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 24.730 US$ | -99.279 US$ |
| 7 | 85.675 US$ | 122.987 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 26.165 US$ | -73.114 US$ |
| 8 | 89.102 US$ | 127.906 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 27.657 US$ | -45.457 US$ |
| 9 | 92.667 US$ | 133.022 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 29.209 US$ | -16.248 US$ |
| 10 | 96.373 US$ | 138.343 US$ | 11.146 US$ | 30.824 US$ | 14.576 US$ |
Costs are spread across the program duration; loans (if enabled) start after graduation.
Benchmarks (sanity check)
MBA outcomes vary widely. Use published benchmarks to sanity-check assumptions, not as guarantees.
Source: GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey 2024 (US regional profile) PDF
This benchmark is a high-level ratio and doesn’t account for school/industry/location differences.
Methodology (visual)
We compare two paths: a no-MBA baseline vs an MBA path. The difference in monthly cashflows determines payback, ROI, and NPV.
- Opportunity cost matters: foregone income can exceed tuition.
- Use scenario presets to model uncertainty (placement, salary).
- NPV depends heavily on discount rate and time horizon.
- Loans change cashflow timing; interest increases total cost.
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What you get
Payback timeline
See when you break even on an MBA vs the no-MBA baseline.
NPV + ROI%
Discount future cashflows and quantify upside vs downside.
Scenario presets
Stress test placement probability and salary outcomes.
Share & export
Copy a share link and export a CSV without signup.
How it works
Costs
Tuition + living costs minus scholarships/sponsorship.
Opportunity cost
Account for foregone salary during the program.
Outcomes
Model salary ranges and placement uncertainty.
FAQ
Ready to sanity-check your MBA decision?
Run a quick scenario, then switch to Advanced to model opportunity cost and financing.
Start nowThis tool provides estimates only and is not financial advice. Use conservative assumptions and verify costs/outcomes for your situation.