Joanna Marie, Negosentro | An MBA is an excellent investment in your future no matter where you live – but some places offer better returns than others. Factoring what you spend on your graduate-level education and what you can hope to make after earning your degree, you can maximize the power of your MBA by applying for programs in the following places.
Online
When you earn your degree over the web, you are assuring yourself a world-class education regardless of where you are currently. Online MBA programs come from universities around the world; for example, you can live in India and earn a California MBA. You can continue to live in your home, work at your job, and see your friends and family without the hassle of relocation – all while improving your education and enhancing your career prospects.
Australia
Australian MBA programs are jam-packed with international students. Thus, earning an MBA at an Australian school typically provides students with greater exposure to people with diverse backgrounds. This can be especially useful if you are interested in global business or eager to learn more about different languages and cultures.
Brazil
In recent years, Latin America has vastly improved its options for prospective MBAs, and Brazil is leading the charge. Not only are there more MBA programs available to enterprising individuals, but MBAs are rewarded greatly in the job market: MBAs can expect to earn upwards of $97,200 USD almost immediately after graduation, compared to the national average of around $18,000 USD. Plus, cost of living remains bogglingly low, even in Brazil’s cities, so you can enjoy your salary even more.
Switzerland
The Swiss currency is strong, but for MBAs, that is only good news. Many multinational corporations, especially those based in Europe already, are moving to Switzerland to take advantage of low corporate taxes. As a result, career opportunities abound for MBAs in Switzerland. Average MBA salaries hover around $129,700 USD, and there is plenty of room for growth. However, Switzerland does have specific requirements for their MBAs, so you likely can’t relocate after obtaining your degree somewhere else.
Denmark
Not only is the job market favorable for MBAs in Denmark, but compensation rates have increased in recent years — which is contrary to salary behavior in nearly every other Western European market. Plus, the Danish government has begun slashing corporate tax rates, making the country enticing to global businesses looking for a new HQ. After you earn your Danish MBA, you can look forward to plenty of job opportunities with high salaries.
Spain
Though Spain was hit especially hard during the global recession, its MBA market remained remarkably strong. Through the years, demand for MBAs has grown steadily on the Iberian Peninsula; today, Spain has earned a position within the top 10 countries for highest MBA compensation and job availability. If you like the idea of a nap in the middle of your workday, you should seriously consider gaining a Spanish MBA.
U.K.
Perhaps the strongest believers in MBA degrees, U.K. businesses often invest in hiring and highly compensating MBAs. In fact, some economists believe that Britain’s unshakeable confidence in MBAs is a major factor in the perpetual dominance of the British economy. Since the recession, the U.K. has recovered its full momentum in hiring MBAs, which means earning your MBA in Britain can enjoy swift and certain job security.
France
Though demand for MBAs in France has declined in recent years, their compensation remains the fifth in the world. If you manage to secure MBA employment in France, you can expect to earn upwards of $100,800 USD every year – which, discounting bonuses, is much higher than in the U.K. and U.S.
Canada
The Canadian financial services industry is fully recovered after recent the economic dip – and their demand for qualified MBAs is increasing rapidly. Both local and international Canadian companies are keen on new MBA graduates, who typically demand less compensation and provide more value than uneducated, unexperienced applicants. As more MBAs gravitate toward Canada, it’s likely that wage prospects and career progression will improve.
U.S.A.
The United States claims some of the best business schools in the world – which attract the highest numbers of international students of any country – but interest in hiring MBAs has remained relatively stagnant in recent years. Though average compensation remains high, around $98,300 USD, and though experts predict growth in MBA hiring, the U.S. MBA job market is exceedingly more competitive.
