Salary increases after graduation are a key motivating factor for many students pursuing an MBA, as they recognize that the degree can provide the business acumen and skill set needed to step into leadership roles.

With the estimated average total cost of an MBA exceeding $200,000 at some of the world’s most expensive business schools, according to our latest Cost of MBA Report, it’s easy to see why return on investment is so important.

While calculating ROI is often reduced to post-graduation pay and how soon you can earn back the cost of your studies, in reality, it encompasses far more. The skills, direction, experiences, and adaptability you gain throughout an MBA can propel your career forward many years after you graduate.

We spoke with insiders from the MBA program at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management to explore three ways the program helps set students up for long-term career success.

1. An MBA gives you the confidence to change career direction years after you graduate 

Business school can offer a low-risk environment for students to identify a desired career destination at graduation, and to learn about other options for later pivots. It can be an opportunity to explore and experiment with different industries and functions.

For example, the MBA program at Owen exposes students to various career pathways with its multifunctional, multi-industry focus. The program also offers a customizable curriculum, with several concentration options in core disciplines such as strategy and finance.

“This gives people in the early stages of their careers the opportunity to explore and learn how to navigate at lower risk,” says Emily Anderson (pictured right), executive director of Owen’s Career Management Center and an Owen MBA alum herself.

For Sarah Berhalter, a Class of 2015 graduate and now managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the program’s emphasis on exploration was essential in helping her define her career direction:

“I came to business school making a pretty big career change. For me, getting my MBA and going through that program was the opportunity to enter the corporate world and identify where in it I wanted to go,” she says.

“I was truly using my time at Owen to understand what was out there and what was a good fit for me,” she adds.

Armed with this breadth of experience, students also leave with the skills and perspective they need should they want to adapt or pivot their careers in the future.

“We try to give them the understanding that the things they are investing in right now will be useful down the road, because circumstances change and their next step may be something they are not aware of right now,” says Emily.

2. An MBA teaches leadership skills that last 

With the rapid uptake of AI and emerging technologies in recent years, the technical skills employers look for have continued to evolve. However, the value of soft skills has remained largely consistent, with the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report still listing communication capabilities such as active listening and empathy among the core skills required in the workforce.

At Owen, the MBA program is designed to equip students with these durable skills through an emphasis on experiential and immersive learning. Regular team-based, collaborative projects give students the opportunity to build communication and interpersonal skills.

“It’s people-intensive. It’s about working through organizations, learning how to influence, and collaborating with people from different backgrounds, and that carries forward into your career path in any type of business structure,” says Emily.

In industries such as consulting, where success often depends on close collaboration to deliver results under tight deadlines, these skills are particularly valuable.

“The environment is very collaborative, very team-based, very focused on how we work together and get the best out of everybody,” says Sarah. “That mindset at Owen carries over really well, because consulting is a team sport.”

Owen students also have the opportunity to test their leadership potential through the school’s wide range of clubs and organizations, including the Owen Finance Club, Owen Real Estate Club, and Honor Council.

“It’s almost like a little lab, you’re exposed to leadership situations, but the stakes are lower because you might be running a student organization rather than a business unit,” says Emily.

Equipped with these in-demand soft skills—alongside strong technical expertise—students leave with the toolkit they need to step into roles straight out of business school and begin shaping their long-term career trajectory.

3. An MBA helps you build strong networks and professional credibility 

The ROI of an MBA can also be measured by the connections you build. Business school surrounds you with peers from different industries, cultures, and geographies, often turning friendships into lifelong professional networks that can open doors throughout your career.

"You are in these programs with people from different parts of the world and with different professional and educational backgrounds [which] make it a broadening experience,” says Emily

At Owen, students also have the chance to build industry connections they can draw on throughout their careers, thanks to frequent guest speakers and visits from leading companies.

“The opportunities and the connections you make—not only with your classmates but also through the companies that engage with the school—allow you to explore different avenues,” says Sarah.

MBA graduates also gain a sense of credibility and validation that can support them throughout their careers, helping to strengthen their professional profile.

“It’s the natural network and credibility you get from going to an established program like Vanderbilt. It gives you a bit of validation of your capability,” says Sarah.

Ultimately, beyond financial return, an MBA provides the confidence to pivot, the leadership and soft skills to succeed, and the networks and credibility that open doors. These are the advantages that support career growth for years to come.