My Boston University Online MBA Experience: Was the $25,000 Investment Worth It?

Hi there! Today, I’m sharing my personal journey through the Boston University (Questrom) Online MBA program. I’ll dive into why I chose BU, what the curriculum actually looks like, and how it helped me scale my business from 10 to 53 locations.

boston university online mba review

1. Why I Chose Boston University (BU)

When I was accepted in 2022, the world was still uncertain and masks were everywhere. I chose this program for two main reasons:

The Format: Online was the safest and smartest option given the global situation.
The Cost: The total tuition is approximately $24,000 – $25,000. You pay $4,000 per module, plus roughly $100–$200 for books. There is also a $1,500 registration fee.

Time Commitment: You can finish in 2 years if you power through. I personally took two summer breaks and finished in 3 years.

Also check out: Reality Check: How Much Time Does an Online MBA Actually Take?

2. The Learning Journey: From Prep to Innovation

The process is convenient but demands discipline. Before the main modules, you tackle “MBA Math”—Excel, Google Sheets, and Finance. I’ll be honest: I cursed a lot during this part; it wasn’t easy!

The Modules Breakdown:

Module 0: A “warm-up” to understand program expectations.
Module 1 (Creating Value): Exploring why businesses exist and how they benefit society.
Module 2 (Managing with Data): The toughest one! We covered valuations, forecasting, and accounting.
Module 3 (Leading with Integrity): Focuses on being a real leader and listening to your people.
Module 4 (Risk Management): Marketing, financial, and legal risks. This helped me fix “gray areas” in my own business.
Module 5 (Global Strategy): Outsourcing, scaling, and international market entry.
Module 6 (Innovation Mindset): How to implement ideas without “drowning” in them or letting the business become stagnant.

3. Networking and Mentorship

One of the biggest highlights was the Mentor/Mentee program.

My Mentor: I worked with Lisa, an entrepreneur from China living in Boston who runs a 3D printing and custom insole startup. We even recorded a podcast together!
My Mentee: I mentored Brandon, who works at the MBTA and manages rental properties.

Would I have met these people without the MBA? Probably not.

4. Real-World Impact: Scaling Fuse Service

My background is technical—IT and appliance engineering. The MBA helped me organize my thoughts about business.

Since starting the program, my company, Fuse Service, grew from 10 to 53 franchise locations in the US. Here is what I actually implemented:

Real-time dashboards and Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
Value chain improvements and more public brand exposure.
Launched “Fuse Club” and updated “Fuse School.”
The “McDonald’s” Strategy: Inspired by the movie The Founder, we expanded both horizontally and vertically, even buying our first commercial property in Las Vegas.

Boston University Questrom Online MBA (OMBA) Pros and Con

Here is a “Pros and Cons” summary of the Boston University Questrom Online MBA (OMBA), based on the curriculum modules and my experiences.

The BU Questrom Online MBA: A Strategic Breakdown

The BU OMBA is often described as a “disruptor” in the business education space because of its fixed $25,000 price point and integrated modular structure.

The Pros: Why It Works

Unbeatable ROI: At approximately $25,000, it offers a prestigious “Boston University” brand for a fraction of the cost of traditional programs.
Integrated Modular Learning: Instead of isolated classes (e.g., just “Accounting”), BU uses Integrated Modules. For example, Module 2 combines Valuations, Forecasting, and Accounting to solve a single business problem.
High-Caliber Networking: The program targets mid-career professionals (average age 33-36). You aren’t just studying with students; you are networking with directors, VPs, and CEOs from 65+ countries.
Scalable Knowledge: As seen with Fuse Service, the focus on “Innovation Mindset” and “Data Management” provides immediate tools for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.
Flexibility for Working Parents/Execs: The asynchronous content allows you to take breaks (as you did over 3 years) without losing your spot in the program.

The Cons: What to Watch Out For

Heavy Teaming Requirement: This is a “Teaming” focused MBA. Almost every module has high-stakes group projects. If you prefer working alone, the constant coordination across time zones can be a “gray area” of stress.
Quantitative “Whiplash”: Module 2 (Managing with Data) is notoriously difficult. Students without a strong math or finance background often find the transition from the “warm-up” (Module 0) to Module 2 to be very steep.
Limited Career Services: Unlike the full-time on-campus program, the Online MBA is geared toward career advancers (people staying in their industry) rather than career switchers. You have access to job boards, but not the intensive “hand-holding” career coaching found in $150k programs.
No Specializations: You cannot “major” in Finance or Marketing. Everyone takes the same six modules. While this creates a well-rounded leader, it might be a con if you wanted a deep dive into a niche like “Blockchain” or “Health Informatics.”

Feature	BU Online MBA (OMBA)	Traditional Full-Time MBA
Total Cost	~$25,000	$150,000+
Best For	Entrepreneurs & Mid-Career Leaders	Career Switchers & Career Starters
Format	100% Online (6 Modules)	On-Campus (Siloed Courses)
Work Experience	High (Average 10-12 years)	Lower (Average 3-5 years)

Final Verdict: Is it Hard?

Getting in requires solid English and at least 10 years of managerial experience.

Is the studying hard? Not necessarily—it just requires consistent attention. Honestly, compared to the HVAC licensing exam, this was easy! For me, the goal wasn’t just the diploma; it was about growing the brand and myself as a leader.