LVC News

Should I Get My MBA Now or Later? Timing Tips for Success

Oct 28, 2025 Young woman in business setting

You know an MBA can unlock career opportunities, but is now the right time, or should you wait?

The choice isn’t always simple. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 89% of corporate recruiters planned to hire MBA grads in 2024, with demand expected to remain strong across industries. And the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that master’s degree holders earn nearly 20% more per week than bachelor’s degree holders.

Whether you’re just starting out, mid-career, or exploring a new direction, the timing of your MBA can shape both your experience and your return on investment.

How Timing Impacts Your MBA Journey

Choosing when to pursue your MBA can affect cost, networking opportunities, and career acceleration. Here’s how to decide if your MBA should come sooner or later.

Starting Your MBA Early in Your Career

Pros:

Acquire advanced knowledge before advancing too far in your career.
Differentiate yourself in a competitive job market.
Enter leadership tracks sooner.

Cons:

You may have less professional experience to draw on in coursework and class discussions.

Market insight: Younger MBA graduates often see an average 77% salary increase compared to pre-MBA pay (GMAC). If you’re asking, “Should I get an MBA now?” the answer may be yes if you’re ready to accelerate quickly.

Waiting Until You Have More Experience

Pros:

Bring valuable work experience into the classroom.
Focus your studies with more career clarity.
Build stronger professional networks with peers.

Cons:

Balancing work, family, and graduate school later in life can be challenging.

Market insight: MBA students enter programs at different stages in their careers. Those with more experience (10+ Years) often use their degree to advance or refine leadership skills within their field, while early-career students typically pursue an MBA to broaden opportunities or pivot into new roles. If you are wondering if you should apply now or later, consider your goals as experience can make a difference in how you use your degree.

Considering Online and Local MBA Programs

Your career and personal life may influence how you pursue your MBA:

Accredited online MBA programs offer the flexibility working adults need to balance studies with a career.
Local MBA programs in Annville, PA, provide in-person collaboration, regional employer connections, and access to a close-knit alumni network.

Whether online or in-person, the best MBA program is the one that fits your lifestyle.

Exploring MBA Concentrations

Specialized tracks let you tailor your degree to your goals:

Accounting
Healthcare Management
Human Resource Management
Leadership & Ethics
Marketing
Project Management
Supply Chain Management & Logistics

Early-career students can use MBA concentrations or certificates to stand out quickly, while later-career students may choose them to pivot into new industries.

Timing Isn’t Everything — Support Matters

Ultimately, choosing an MBA isn’t only about when. It’s about where. Look for programs with strong accreditation, respected faculty, and proven career services.

An MBA isn’t only about when. It’s about where. Look for programs with strong accreditation, respected faculty, and proven career services. According to the 2021 GMAC Alumni Perspectives Report, 88 % of alumni said graduate business education improved their professional situation.