Year-over-year increases in MBA tuition fees are nothing new, but they jumped a bit more this year.
A reporter from Beijing Business Daily recently found that the tuition fees of some MBA programs in 2023 have jumped sharply. Among them, the tuition fees of Shanghai Jiaotong University Antai MBA (part-time) will increase from 458,000 yuan to 518,000 yuan; Shenzhen University MBA program tuition fees will increase from 198,000 yuan. It rose to 298,000 yuan, and it was not an exception.
According to people familiar with the matter, the jump in MBA tuition fees is not a decision of the school to "slap the forehead". According to the requirements of the Ministry of Education, the tuition calculation of the MBA program has a clear formula. Factors in the increase in MBA tuition fees.
Tuition jumps are not an exception
According to a reporter from Beijing Business Daily, among the schools that have disclosed the tuition fees for MBA programs in 2023, some MBA program tuition fees have risen sharply.
Among them, the tuition fee of Shenzhen University's MBA program in 2023 will total 298,000 yuan, an increase of 100,000 yuan over the 2022 tuition fee.
According to the website of the School of Management of Shenzhen University, the learning method of the MBA program is full-day classes on Saturdays and Sundays, and rest on national statutory holidays and winter and summer vacations.
The schooling system is 3 years (1.5 years of course study, 1.5 years to complete the dissertation).
The Antai part-time MBA program of Shanghai Jiaotong University also ushered in a price increase. The tuition fee will rise from 458,000 yuan in 2022 to 518,000 yuan in 2023, and the schooling system will be 2.5 years.
The staff of the MBA program told the Beijing Business Daily that tuition fees are announced in August and September each year, and are generally adjusted every two years.
The tuition fee of Fudan University's part-time MBA program in 2023 is 499,800 yuan, and the schooling period is 2.5 years. Compared with the tuition fee in 2022, the tuition fee has not increased.
However, historical news from the WeChat official account of the "Fudan MBA Program" shows that the 2020 Fudan MBA (part-time) program fee is 419,800 yuan, and the tuition fee is still on the rise.
"The tuition fees of the MBA program are on the rise." When a reporter from the Beijing Business Daily consulted as a student, the relevant teacher of the Fudan MBA program directly stated that if you want to win the tuition fee, it is recommended to register as soon as possible.
"We may also adjust tuition fees."
In addition to the 2023 MBA programs disclosed above, there are still a large number of colleges and universities that have not yet issued admissions brochures.
However, referring to last year's tuition fee data, at least 15 colleges and universities will see an increase in tuition fees for MBA programs in 2022.
New modules and changes in teachers lead to price increases
In fact, the increase in tuition fees is not a phenomenon that only appeared in the MBA program this year, but according to the information obtained from the interview, although the tuition fees for MBAs have risen, the price increase is not a decision made by the school authorities.
"The cost calculation document needs to be reported before the tuition fee rises, and it can be implemented after approval by the relevant competent authorities." According to a teacher from a well-known university in Beijing, whether it is an MBA or an MPA, there is a special formula for the cost calculation of tuition fees. The number of teachers and the scale of enrollment have different proportions and calculation coefficients in the cost formula.
This has also become an important factor in the rise of MBA tuition fees.
"Different enrollment sizes definitely lead to different program costs, and this year many schools have started to adjust curriculum modules closely to reality."
According to the above-mentioned teachers, taking her university this year as an example, in the MBA program, hot topics such as digital RMB and "metaverse" are all included in the curriculum modules, and the teaching teachers are all externally hired, accompanied by a clear training direction. Related costs will inevitably rise.
A reporter from Beijing Business Daily also noticed that a well-known MBA program with rising tuition fees this year invites teachers from well-known domestic universities, well-known universities in North America, Europe and other places, as well as senior managers of multinational companies and other industry enterprises. .
The course modules are divided into two categories: compulsory and elective. The compulsory courses include methodological foundation and management core courses, and the electives include overseas exchanges and overseas study tours.
The program's 2022 enrollment prospectus shows that the planned enrollment for the part-time MBA program is 500-700.
Invisible costs such as community building are also included
In addition to teaching costs, the cost of MBA education in building alumni resource communities and students' career development cannot be ignored.
"Excellent MBA programs will increase investment in students' career development, and with the increase of MBA program graduates, that is, alumni, this part of the cost will increase year by year. The increase in this part of the cost will drive tuition fees year by year. Up." said Zhang Shihua, founder and CEO of MBAChina.com.
Taking the above MBA program as an example, the curriculum structure of the program includes lifelong learning services for students after graduation, such as providing free courses, industry practice courses, and alumni forums.
At the same time, the MBA program has also set up an entrepreneurial fund to support current students and alumni to start their own businesses.
Wang Peng, a senior practitioner in the field of MBA education, pointed out that the MBA programs of well-known institutions not only have a strong training force, but the halo advantage of famous schools is still an important factor for the majority of candidates to choose, which is also the key to the increase in tuition fees for MBA programs.
"For professionals, MBA and other management majors are one of the few channels to improve their academic qualifications, and the assessment and application requirements are relatively simple and relaxed."
Judging from the development of MBA education in recent years, the MBA program is no longer the "exclusive" of a small number of institutions.
According to incomplete statistics from a reporter from Beijing Business Daily, more than 200 colleges and universities across the country have opened MBA programs.
"At present, the establishment of MBA programs in colleges and universities is on a downward trend." Wang Peng said that the first echelon of MBA programs is piloted by famous schools, the second echelon goes to local key colleges and universities, and the third echelon is colleges with local characteristics and advantages.
In addition to some MBA programs with higher tuition fees, there are also MBA programs in some institutions that are priced lower.
For example, the part-time MBA program of a certain institution is 3 years, and the total tuition fee is only 60,000 yuan.
From tens of thousands of tuition fees to hundreds of thousands of tuition fees, why is there such a big difference in the tuition fees of MBA programs?
How expensive are MBA programs with high tuition fees?
Zhang Shihua said that the teaching costs of different MBA programs vary greatly.
"Taking teachers as an example, some colleges and universities have young teachers, but some colleges choose to invite big-name professors who are widely recognized in the industry and academia, and even provide students with a dual-tutor system, where well-known professors and industry leaders work together. The cost of teaching will be much higher than that of ordinary young teachers.”
The rising number of applicants is a source of confidence
Although the current MBA tuition remains high, it even shows a trend of increasing year by year.
However, the enthusiasm of many professionals to apply for MBA is still growing, and the reasons for applying are more complicated.
Liu Ming (pseudonym), who has held a management position for a long time, has worked in the system for many years. He told a reporter from Beijing Business Daily that he has recently encountered bottlenecks in his career.
"I myself also graduated from a key university, but during the promotion process of the unit, I found that the requirements for academic qualifications are still quite high. My original academic qualifications may not be enough."
"I hope to achieve a breakthrough in my current career by studying MBA." Liu Ming said that he prefers part-time MBA programs.
"This will not affect my usual work, but also improve my academic qualifications, allowing me to be more recognized in work and professional title evaluation." Liu Ming said that he has now begun to consult relevant institutions for information and prepare to register.
"From a regional perspective, I pay more attention to schools in Beijing."
Unlike Liu Ming, who has worked in the system for a long time, Zhang Ning (pseudonym), 35, has devoted most of his career to Internet companies.
"I have worked in a leading Internet 'big factory' for ten years. This year, I have adjusted my work plan and prepared to go to new cities and new fields to explore job opportunities." Zhang Ning said.
Zhang Ning, who re-started, was interviewed for the job she liked very quickly. After passing the test, she failed in the last round of interviews.
"It went well before, but during the last round of interviews, HR told me that I had already sent the offer to someone else." Zhang Ning said frankly, "I also inquired about why I was 'swiped down' in private, and they were just very vague. Suggest me to take an MBA."
According to Zhang Ning, his education is two.
"This interview also made me realize that although I have ten years of work experience, when I encounter some particularly good opportunities, MBA experience has become a key bonus." At present, Zhang Ning has begun to consult Learn about various MBA programs and increase your competitiveness in the workplace.
In an interview, Zhang Shihua said that MBA tuition fees have risen in recent years, and some colleges and universities have high tuition fees. On the one hand, it is due to the high cost of MBA teaching; Business schools are more confident in raising tuition fees.
"This also shows that the value of the current MBA education has been recognized by everyone." Zhang Shihua said.
"At present, there are two types of students that have grown. One type of students hopes to improve their academic qualifications through MBA, and play a role in such aspects as settlement of points and evaluation of professional titles; Some students are also preparing for the promotion of management positions." Wang Peng told the Beijing Business Daily reporter.
Beijing Business Daily reporter Zhao Boyu