I understand that the Coursera iMBA is a very popular choice, and it's quite interesting to me due to the cost and accreditations.

But I'm curious about the career prospects after finishing the program. Is it worth the investment over just taking free online classes in business topics? I'm looking to boost my career with an MBA, but don't want to shell out more than 20 grand for just a name on my CV.

As a current student who started in Fall 2018, I can tell you that it is quite difficult to get into the iMBA program nowadays, and will continue to get harder as the program becomes more popular. It's probably one of the most selective ones (~20% acceptance rate according to their Twitter) in terms of online MBA programs for the reasons you just mentioned. It's a good program that covers all of the major business subjects. Their value proposition is the fact that there is a tremendous amount of group and project work. Aside from group live seminars, group work, exams and additional case studies, the Coursera material pretty much covers the most of the content from an academic point of view.

Career prospects are to be determined but most of the people in my cohort already have some pretty impressive jobs already. Cohort mix is diverse but there is no question that it is an older crowd (average 11 years of experience)

Hey Jason, glad to know! May I please ask which iMBA program are you referring to? Thanks! Also, would you know if 6-part specializations in a subject like Marketing Analytics from Emory worth it? Thanks!

I am referring to the University of Illinois iMBA. I'd rather go for the Micromasters program at EdX instead, they have a program for marketing analytics from Berkeley I think, which can be applied for credit if you apply to Rochester Institute of Technology, for instance. Those ones I think have actual assessments which doesn't just rely on peer reviewed assignments, etc, like Coursera does.

Hello I just received an offer from Manchester global mba which is blended teaching method. And I have considered about Illinois iMBA too but have not finished the application. How do you get known about Micromasters program at EdX? What is the advantage of it?

Also, if you take the EdX core MBA classes, these can be applied toward the MBA at Maryland - Smith (in this way you can cover up to 25% of the degree's curriculum).

It's probably one of the most selective ones (~20% acceptance rate according to their Twitter) in terms of online MBA programs for the reasons you just mentioned.

Probably a lot of people try to get in after doing the specializations on Coursera, and may not understand the rigor that goes into the next stage of the program.

Ok all this is really great BUT does anybody have any verifiable information about the career prospects from the Illinois iMBA? All I hear is that it's an affordable program, highly rated, yada yada yada, but nothing about jobs. Why if it's such a great program is it not in the rankings?

It's not in the rankings because it is too young. In fact, it was in one ranking (Business Week?) with a very high salary increase until the school point out it was not eligible.

But, yes, for career services you need a full-time degree,.

See: http://poetsandquantsforexecs.com/2017/02/13/u-s-news-unranked-online-mba/

In any case this seems like a good degree, but maybe mostly for experienced professionals who don't need career support. Good to know!

In any case this seems like a good degree, but maybe mostly for experienced professionals who don't need career support. Good to know!