Online MBA vs Regular MBA vs Distance Which One is Better?

MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) is one of the most sought-after higher education programs in India. It’s a preferred course for recent graduates, working professionals, and career-oriented individuals. MBA programmes are considered to offer wide skill sets, stable job opportunities, and future prospects. But which MBA is best—an online, Regular, or distance MBA?

In this blog, we will focus on different factors of various MBA types and identify their advantages and disadvantages to help you select the right MBA for your career.

UGC-approved online MBA programs play a crucial role in an individual's career journey as the course allows you to acquire essential skills, a globally recognized degree, and a roadmap for your future. Therefore, it's important you select the right UGC approved online MBA programmes and college that helps you achieve your career goal.

To make your selection process easier, we have listed the top 10 UGC-approved online universities along with their fees, accreditations, specializations, and more. These universities are known for providing UGC-approved online MBA courses in India.

Popular MBA Types - Regular, Online, Distance 2024

In India, you can pursue mainly in three ways through traditional MBA programs, regular MBA, or online.

Regular MBA- Popular University, Entrance Test, Pros, Cons

A regular MBA is a traditional, full-time MBA program offered in person. It has a structured curriculum, compulsory attendance, real-time interaction, and immersive learning opportunities. Regular MBA is the most reputed higher education course in India, offered by some popular universities/colleges.

Popular Universities/Colleges for Regular MBA

IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Calcutta
IIT Delhi
Xavier School of Management
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management

However, to get admission to any of these universities, you must appear for and score well in the MBA entrance exams.

Some well MBA Entrance Exams

CAT (Common Admission Test)
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

Pros of Regular MBA

360-degree learning
Networking opportunities
Highly valued in the industry
Theoretical and practical learning
High-salary job opportunities

Cons of Regular MBA

Not suitable for working professionals
High college fees
Compulsory attendance
The highly competitive entrance test
Limited flexibility

Online MBA- Popular University, Entrance Test, Pros, Cons

An online MBA is a highly flexible program that allows individuals to manage their learning while maintaining their regular responsibilities. In an Online MBA program, you acquire similar knowledge and skills online. You attend live lectures, study through recorded classes, textbook materials, and more at your flexible time.

Popular Universities/Colleges for Regular MBA

To be admitted to an online MBA university, you aren't required to appear for an entrance exam. Most universities provide online MBA admission on a merit basis. However, some universities, like Manipal Online, require entrance exams.

Pros of Regular MBA

Flexible learning opportunities
Equal industry recognition
Manageable with Job or other responsibility
Affordable fees
From anywhere, anytime, learning opportunities

Cons of Regular MBA

Not in-person interaction with peers and faculty
Less networking opportunities
No involvement in any campus activities
Compulsory internet connection & electronic device
Some colleges may ask for work experience or entrance test

Distance MBA- Popular University, Entrance Test, Pros, Cons

Like an online MBA, a distance MBA doesn’t require you to go to college but to pursue your studies at your own pace. It is also called a correspondence MBA. A distance MBA is suitable for students who don’t have continuous internet access and time to attend live classes. In a Distance MBA, students communicate with instructors via email and phone and submit their assignments through post.

Some Popular Distance MBA Colleges are:

Indira Gandhi Open University, IGNOU
Karnataka State Open University
Pondicherry Distance Education University
MIT school of distance education
Symbiosis centre for distance learning

No entrance test is required for the distance MBA course. IGNOU takes Open MAT, however, temporarily it’s suspended.

Pros of Distance MBA

No reliance on high-speed internet connection
Self-paced learning
Some universities conduct on-campus classes on weekends.
Can manage studies with regular job and responsibility
Pursue the course along with other regular programmes.

Cons of Distance MBA

Limited to no interaction with Peers and faculty
Feedback and support rates are low compared to online MBA
Fewer opportunities for networking
Exams are conducted at the centre like regular MBA
Generally, it does not include internships and placements.

Online MBA Vs Regular MBA

Both the online MBA and regular MBA are 2-years programs, approved by UGC. However, considering differences between them is compulsory for students to select the right programme.

Differentiating Factors	Online MBA	Regular MBA
Fees	The average fee for an online MBA ranges from Rs 50 K to 3 Lakhs.	Average fee for full time MBA from a prestigious college starts from Rs 10 lakhs.
Flexibility	With an online MBA, you study at your pace and balance your regular duties with your job.	Full time MBA programme offers less or no flexibility do job or parttime.
Attendance	Attendance in live classes is required for students.	Attendance is compulsory. Most colleges asks for 75% attendance.
Eligibility	At Least 40-50% marks in graduation in any stream from a recognised university.	50% marks in bachelor’s degree 45% for reserved category). Moreover, Qualification in entrance exam MICAT, XAT, CAT, GMAT, is necessary.
Curriculum	The online MBA curriculum covers almost every subject required for an MBA and resonates more with virtual learning.	The full time programmes include a curriculum balanced with practical and theoretical concepts.
Delivery of Program	The Virtual MBA programme provides learning through online study materials, live lectures, and recorded videos.	Regular classroom MBA programmes study on a fixed schedule, instructors come and deliver lectures, students work on projects, and appear for offline exams.
Class Capacity	An endless number of students can enrol in an online MBA, making it accessible.	The class capacity for regular MBA is limited from 30 to 50 students.
Student Teacher Relation	The teacher bond is stronger than the student-teacher bond.	A very strong bond between teacher and students.
Networking Opportunities	Virtual opportunity for networking.	Strong alumni community and opportunity to network by visiting colleges daily, meeting numbers of people in person.
Internship/Placement Opportunities	Some online universities offer virtual placement cells and assistance.	College placement cells, regular supports from teacher and Alumni association.

Distance MBA Vs Regular MBA

Distance MBA is another way to pursue a Master's in business administration. The distance MBA allows one to pursue 2 years in 4 years, offering great flexibility to its students. Here are some differences between distance and regular MBA.

Differentiating Factors	Distance MBA	Regular MBA
Fees	The fee for a distance MBA is much lower than a regular and online MBA.	The fee is very high, starting from Rs 2 lakhs.
Flexibility	Self-paced learning	Fixed schedule
Attendance	Attendance is required only during exams.	Daily attendance is compulsory.
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree with passing marks, no requirement for any entrance exam.	50% marks in bachelor’s degrees and 45% for reserved category). Moreover, Qualification in entrance exams, MICAT, XAT, CAT, and GMAT is necessary.
Curriculum	Concise curriculum	Vast curriculum with practical and theoretical learning
Delivery of Program	Mainly through e-textbooks and study materials.	Offline regular classes
Class Capacity	Not limited	Intake of 30-50 students (depends on college)
Student Teacher Relation	Weaker than online and regular MBA	A full-time MBA course helps nourish student-teacher relationships.
Networking Opportunities	No	Various options
Internship/Placement Opportunities	Not received often (however, some university provides placement assistance)	Yes

Regular MBA Vs Distance MBA Vs Online MBA

Now that you know the difference between a regular MBA and an online MBA and between a regular MBA and a distance MBA, let's discuss these three together to better understand them.

Differentiating Factors	Regular MBA	Distance MBA	Online MBA
Course Fees	Rs. 2 LPA - 20 LPA	Rs. 20k - 70k	Rs.80k - 3 LPA
Suitability	Recent graduates and financially strong individuals	Individual already in job market with no-time for online classes or living in remote area.	Aspiring promotion, skills, and managerial position but at their own pace.
Pedagogy	Offline classes with advanced infrastructure and in-person teachers.	Study through e-library and materials.	Live and recorded classes, regular assessments, electronic study materials, textbook.
Examination Mode	Classroom sittings	Physical centre exams	Online exams can be conducted
Duration	2 years	4 years	2 years
Accreditation/Recognition	NAAC, UGC, AICTE	NAAC, UGC- Deb, AICTE	NAAC, UGC- Deb, AICTE
Placement	Most of the colleges provide placement and support.	Very few opportunity

The New Age MBA Programme

Apart from a regular, distance and online MBA, some modern MBA programs are offered to students; these include executive MBA, deferred MBA and MBA with hybrid learning.

1. Executive MBA

Executive MBA is an MBA programme for working professionals, usually aged 18 to 24. Various MBA colleges provide executive programmes, including IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, IIM Ranchi, IIM Raipur, and IIM Ahmedabad. In the Executive programme, students are required to take offline classes during evenings or weekends.

2. Deferred MBA

Deferred MBA refers to an MBA programme with an early entry option. It is similar to a traditional or regular MBA programme. However, in India, deferred MBA programmes are offered by limited universities only. The Indian School of Business is one of them.

3. MBA with Hybrid Learning

Hybrid MBA learning is an alternative MBA programme that balances regular MBA with online MBA. In hybrid MBA learning, you have the flexibility to attend classes in person or online.

How to Choose the Right MBA?

When you know about different MBAs, you must consider which one will be right for you. You can consider multiple factors before selecting the course for you.

1. Course Fees

Fees are crucial when selecting an MBA. You can compare different MBA fees and choose the most affordable one. All MBAs are equally valued and recognised.

2. Consider MBA Goal

It is also important to consider your MBA goal. For example, if your goal is to study for an MBA and get top jobs in the industry, a regular MBA can be the right option.

3. Check accessibility for You

Which MBA you should pursue also depends on its accessibility. For a traditional MBA, you must live in the city and pass highly competitive exams to gain admission; for an online MBA, high internet connectivity is necessary. Select the MBA that you can access.

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FAQs Related to Online MBA vs Regular MBA vs Distance MBA

Q: Which is better: a distance MBA or a regular MBA?

A: All the MBAs are recognised and valuable. A regular MBA is suitable if you aspire to have campus experience and networking opportunities. Distance MBA can be the option if you’re aspiring to an MBA programme in your busy schedule.

Q: Which is better: an online MBA or a regular MBA?

A: If you are pursuing an MBA to gain professional promotion in your career, an online MBA is the right choice. However, a regular MBA is the best option if the goal is to earn an MBA from a top business school with various opportunities.