A friend of mine just finished his MBA at UPenn—top school, smart person, great resume. It’s been three months since graduation, and he’s still job hunting. No offers. He’s on an F-1 visa, and the clock is ticking. It honestly shocked me.
I used to think an MBA—especially from a top school—was the golden ticket. But lately, the numbers and stories just don’t add up the way they used to. Harvard’s latest stats say nearly 1 in 4 grads didn’t have a job offer 3 months after graduation. That’s huge.
And let’s be real—those “average salary” numbers are often propped up by domestic students who don’t face the same visa restrictions. For international students, it’s a whole different game: fewer job offers, limited OPT time, and tougher odds for sponsorship.
Add in ~$200K in tuition, plus living expenses, plus the opportunity cost of leaving a job back home… it’s a massive gamble. And with consulting and tech hiring down, the ROI is far from guaranteed.
Not saying MBAs are worthless—but the traditional path feels a lot riskier now, especially for those of us on an F-1. Anyone else seeing the same trend?
At this point, getting my degree while working full-time and eating Panda Express between CIAM MBA night classes doesn’t feel that bad.
I’m attending a MBA program right now, and I picked a ITPM concentration. Honestly, some courses are pretty challenging and helped me a lot with project management.
Man, I feel this so much. Thanks for putting it into words.
I’ve been hearing the same thing from friends, even people with crazy good profiles are struggling post MBA. And you’re right, the numbers schools publish don’t tell the full story, especially for international students. OPT ticking down, H1B uncertainty, and employers lowkey hesitating once they hear “visa” it’s a lot stacked against us.
Honestly, I used to think getting into a big-name MBA was like, “ok cool, life sorted.” But now it feels more like… you just bought a $200K lottery ticket.
Respect to you for grinding through CIAM while working too. I think more and more, getting real work experience + finishing a degree smartly (without crazy debt) might actually be the better long game now.
Really timely question — and the short answer is: yes, in some ways, the MBA bubble is finally showing signs of bursting, especially when it comes to international students. Let’s break it down:
What’s Happening with the MBA Market?
Application Numbers Are Down :Top MBA programs (even at places like Wharton, Columbia, and Stanford) have reported noticeable drops in applications over the past two years.Many U.S. domestic students are questioning whether a $150K–$250K MBA is “worth it” given the uncertain ROI.
Post-Graduation Job Struggles :Hiring for MBA grads, particularly in consulting, tech, and finance — the traditional pillars — has cooled.Layoffs in tech and tightening consulting budgets mean fewer easy six-figure job offers straight out of school.
International Students Are Feeling It More :For international students, the pressure is double:
Fewer companies are willing to sponsor H-1B visas now compared to pre-2020.
MBA roles often expect immediate work authorization (OPT isn’t enough for some employers), creating fewer options.
The promise that “an MBA = U.S. job and green card” isn’t guaranteed anymore.Some students graduate with large debt but no sponsorship, leading them to either scramble for Day 1 CPT programs to stay in the U.S., or return to their home countries.
Why Is This Happening?
Changing Value of MBA Degrees :Employers increasingly prioritize skills over pedigree. Specialized master’s degrees (like MS in Data Analytics, Business Analytics, or Product Management) sometimes yield better ROI at a fraction of the cost.
Remote Work and Decentralized Hiring :The pandemic normalized remote work and international teams, reducing the need to hire expensive U.S.-based MBAs.
Entrepreneurship and Non-Traditional Paths :More people are choosing to start businesses, join startups, or pursue certifications rather than investing in a traditional MBA.
You put it perfectly — it really does feel like buying a $200K lottery ticket sometimes. I totally hear you on the visa stuff too; it’s this invisible wall that so many people don’t realize is there until you’re on the other side of it.
It’s honestly comforting (in a bittersweet way) to know others are feeling the same. The whole “just get into a top school and you’re set” narrative leaves out so much of the real grind afterward, especially for internationals.
And yeah, seeing people work, gain experience, and stay flexible without crushing debt feels more and more like the real win long-term. Big respect back at you too — just surviving and keeping it real out here is no small thing.
Thanks again for sharing — conversations like this are what keep me sane these days.
Agreed. Getting admitted to a top school doesn’t guarantee anything; much more important is how you leverage your connections and resources through your institution. Recently I also read an article on the decline of elite MBA programs. Just put the link here for reference: Is a Day 1 CPT MBA Worth It? Comparing ROI with a Traditional MBA
Bro, I feel you 100%. I also used to think once you get into a top MBA, your life is set. But seeing friends from NYU and even Columbia struggling for months now, it’s honestly scary. One friend even told me he regrets leaving his job back home—said the pressure here is way more than he expected.
And yeah, these salary reports are so misleading. They never tell you how many international students are just stuck in limbo. We have the same degrees, same projects, sometimes even better profiles… but still less interviews just because of the visa tag. It’s frustrating.
On top of that, OPT time is just flying. 90 days of unemployment sounds like a lot until you’re actually in it.
You’re doing the right thing, bro. Finishing your degree while working, staying in status, not burning $200k+ — it’s smart. Maybe not as flashy, but long term, less stress and more flexibility.
And trust me, Panda Express never tasted better when it comes with peace of mind.
Thanks for sharing this. So many of us are thinking it, but nobody says it out loud.
Totally feel this. The “top MBA = guaranteed success” myth hits especially hard for international students. I’ve seen friends from top schools like Columbia still struggling months post-grad.
Has anyone here looked into self-sponsorship (EB-1/NIW) or hybrid programs for more flexibility? Curious what options people are exploring.
This company is for teaching people how to network , but it’s very ironic that neither of them could land a “real” job by their networking skills. Are you really interested?
What’s Happening with the MBA Market?
Why Is This Happening?
, but it’s very ironic that neither of them could land a “real” job by their networking skills. Are you really interested?