Is an MBA worth it for me?

See the full picture — your current military pay, your 2 years in school, and what you'll earn at the top MBA programs. Compare up to 5 schools side by side.

1

Your Current Military Pay

Tell us what you're earning today.

From your LES. National average is ~$2,100/mo.

Special duty, flight, jump, hazard, sea pay, SDAP, etc.

BAS is auto-calculated: $466/mo (enlisted) or $321/mo (officer) per 2026 DFAS rates.

Yellow Ribbon Program requires 100% eligibility. Below 100% you'll see proportional GI Bill coverage and the resulting tuition gap.

2

Choose Your Package

Your package determines how many programs you can compare.

3

Your MBA Targets

Select your target schools and post-MBA career path.

Mix of target industry (Tech, Healthcare) and function (Consulting, GM, Entrepreneurship) — pick whichever best fits your goal.

~3 months between year 1 & 2. Consulting: $10K-$16K/mo. Banking: $12K-$15K/mo. Tech: $8K-$12K/mo.

Most top MBA programs participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program — typically meaning $0 out-of-pocket tuition for veterans with 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility (36+ months consecutive active duty). Each school card below shows the exact YRP coverage for that program.

How in-program income is calculated: Your housing allowance (GI Bill MHA or VR&E subsistence) pays during the ~9 academic months per year you're enrolled. Summer internship pay (~3 months, between year 1 & 2) is averaged across the 2-year program. VA disability pays all 12 months. Annual figures reflect this blended average.

Your Financial Picture

Right Now
Active Duty Pay
$0
/ year
    →
    While in School
    During MBA
    $0
    avg / year over 2-year program
      →
      After Graduation
      Post-MBA
      $0
      / year

        Income Comparison

        School-by-School Breakdown

        Return on Military MBA Consulting

        Your package is covered in
        —
        of post-MBA work
        5-Year Extra Earnings
        —
        vs. staying in the military
        10-Year Extra Earnings
        —
        vs. staying in the military
        Package as % of Year 1 Salary
        —
        consulting fee vs. post-MBA pay

        Annual Income: MBA vs. Staying In

        Year-by-year income comparison over 10 years. Military path includes TIS increases and projected promotions. MBA path shows in-program income minus tuition out-of-pocket for years 1-2, then post-MBA salary growth. VA disability only applies to the MBA path (paid after separation).

        What if I delay applying?

        🏆

        The hidden upside: merit-based scholarships

        Most top MBA programs (with the notable exceptions of Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School, which only offer need-based aid) award merit-based scholarships ranging from $30,000 to $100,000+ per year — sometimes covering full tuition. These awards are decided primarily on the strength of your application: essays, story arc, recommendations, and admissions interviews.

        Working with Military MBA Consulting directly impacts your merit aid offers. Stronger essays, sharper positioning, and a coherent application strategy don't just get you admitted — they directly increase the chances of getting admitted with money. A single $50K merit scholarship pays for the entire 5-school package nearly 5x over. This is where the consulting fee compounds the most.

        Compare All Packages

        Package Price Cost Per School Payback Period % of Year 1 Salary

        Ready to build your application?

        Military MBA Consulting has helped hundreds of veterans earn admission to the top MBA programs in the country. Schedule a free consultation to map out your target school list.

        Schedule a Free Consultation