GradROI
ROI Comparison · 2026

2-Year MBA vs Part-Time MBA

FT vs PT MBA is another career-pivot + cost trade-off. FT is 2 years with summer internship + full cohort immersion. PT is 3 years of evening/weekend classes while keeping full-time job — no summer internship, but $0 career disruption.

Head-to-Head: Key Metrics

Metric2-Year MBAPart-Time MBA
Tuition (per year)$160,000$110,000Better
Median Starting Salary$170,000—
10-Year Net ROI (est.)$380,000Better$220,000
Acceptance Rate——
Duration2 yearsBetter3 years

Green highlight = better on that metric. Tuition: lower is better. Salary/ROI: higher is better. Acceptance: higher = easier to get in. Duration: shorter = less opportunity cost.

Who Should Choose Which?

Career-switcher from non-MBA-friendly industry

→ 2-Year MBA: FT MBA's summer internship = career switch mechanism. PT can't replicate.

Already in target industry, seeking promotion + leadership credential

→ Part-Time MBA: PT MBA lets you keep current salary + seniority while building credential. Same-school diploma too.

Have 1-2 young kids, limited flexibility

→ Part-Time MBA: FT MBA's 2-year pause + relocation is often unworkable for young families. PT is more compatible.

Strengths & Trade-offs

2-Year MBA

Traditional two-year US MBA with summer internship between years — the default format for career-switchers.

Strengths

  • Summer internship = career-switcher's primary pivot vehicle
  • More time to build relationships + explore electives
  • Default US top-14 format — most developed recruiting pipelines

Trade-offs

  • $200k+ opportunity cost from 2 years out of workforce
  • Slower to recapture investment than 1-year
  • More life disruption (relocate, dual-career households)
Part-Time MBA

Evening/weekend in-person MBA format (Kellogg PTM, NYU Langone, UCLA FEMBA); middle ground of flexibility + brand.

Strengths

  • In-person networking (unlike online MBA)
  • Keep current job + salary during 2-3 year duration
  • Same degree name as FT MBA at most schools (no Part-Time on diploma)

Trade-offs

  • 3x the time commitment — 3 years of evenings/weekends
  • Internship not possible — harder to career-switch
  • Class schedule constrains where you live + work

Frequently Asked Questions

Cost comparison?

FT MBA: $150-180k tuition + $200k opp cost = ~$380k all-in. PT MBA: $100-130k tuition + ~$0 opp cost = ~$110-130k all-in. PT is ~70% cheaper.

Time commitment?

FT: 2 years full-immersion. PT: 3 years part-time (15-25 hrs/week + classes). PT is longer in calendar time but not a career break.

Diploma difference?

At most top schools (Kellogg, NYU Stern, UCLA), the PT MBA diploma is identical to FT — no 'Part-Time' on the credential.

Networking comparison?

FT cohort forms tight bonds over 2 years. PT cohort is larger but looser — most students are balancing job + classes + personal life.

Calculate Your Personalised ROI

The numbers above are medians. Your actual ROI depends on your current salary, target industry, and scholarship. Enter your numbers and get a personalised break-even projection in seconds.

3 free calculations · no credit card required

All articles