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 | 5 250 $US | 40 000 $US | -102 461 $US | -102 461 $US |
| 2 | 70 419 $US | 5 250 $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.