MBA: Is it worth it?

[Brian Edwards]

Hello all,

My name is Brian Edwards. I am new to the forums but have been listening to the Biggerpockets podcast for about 3 years now. I will be graduating from the University of Georgia next month and have been trying to look ahead for the next 3-5 years.

Since I began listening to Biggerpockets, I have definitely caught the bug for REI. To prepare, I have been saving as much as possible from work and internships over the summer. I will be in a solid position to start house hacking (2 to 4 unit smaller multifamily) sometime next year.

However, I am running into a dilemma. Should I consider holding off on REI, building upon my nest egg for 2 more years, and go back to school in about 2 years for my MBA? Luckily, I will graduate undergrad with no debt. Additionally, the program I am considering costs ~$70,000. However, I would likely be able to get a graduate assistantship stipend that would lower that basis.

If I were to complete this program, the average salary is $120,000 with an average signing bonus of ~$20,000. Currently, I should have a starting salary of around $60,000 straight out of undergrad.

I realize this is a subjective question and there are many factors to consider given the timeframe. I figured this could be a good discussion topic as I am sure many others have considered an MBA at one point or another. Any and all advice is welcome!

Best regards,

Brian Edwards

[Ola Dantis]

@Brian Edwards Hey Brain, 

I was in your shoes about 5 years ago. I was prepping for the GMAT and visited Harvard and Wharton for their MBA programs.

Realistically, the MBA does carry some weight if you go to a top Ivy League as the network and friends you get are priceless, honestly. Remember, those same friends could potentially be your Passive Investors in your Real Estate deals in the future. Anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't been around long enough. 

Now, getting your MBA from a pretty standard university might not be the best bang for your buck to be honest if you are already considering REI and you have no debt.

This is a tough one and you definitely need to do some critical thinking + soul searching.