Will online MBA programs become more respected in a post-COVID world?

No, people underestimate how some months or even a year will change the way Investment Banking works. There will come a time where everything goes back to normal with regards to MBA. If you just think for a second, what is actually the most valuable thing you gain through an MBA? Yeah its the network and although you can surely just connect via linkedin or have zoom meetings it is way different to being on campus together and hang out casually. I don't think that online MBA's will ever come near the reputation of established programs and that it also good as it is.

Yes. I am transferring from Wharton to UoPhoenix as we speak.

Universities as education are already a joke as it is; my college is essentially a hotel at this point, with more amenities than education. I've always seen online programs as the biggest fucking scam to swindle people who literally have to convince themselves every six seconds that they're not wasting their time and money by doing it. Everyone sees them as a joke, their only purpose is quick profits (like with everything in life) for the college administering them.

No Way!

If anything I think the stratification between top tier in person and lower tier in person MBA programs will become even more pronounced after all of this because demand for MBAs will be even more constrained. Companies are going to be completely re-evaluating their operations and objectives to stay competitive, you want the best people for the job period. The MBA industry has been inflated for a while (and I say this as someone who attended a T25 program who hustled to get into IB), this may be the right sizing MBA programs need.

The value of an in-person MBA is multi-faceted and is primarily in the network of peers, professors and recruiters. There is no way to replicate this through a screen. Most of us are already going crazy staring at our screens for 10+ hours a day, zoom happy hours are bs and the lack of true social interaction is harsh. You want to try to do that for 2 years AND pivot careers? No way!

In order to get the full value of an MBA (both in terms of tuition and opportunity cost) it has to be in person, you just can't build a solid network from your couch. The career services team can't provide sufficient guidance and support to those recruiting for competitive industries such as banking and consulting via zoom. Even thinking about the future, I couldn't vouch for someone I only know through the screen ("I absolutely think she's the best candidate, her wifi connection was always stable!").

Even as is, from what I understand the online MBA is not really built for all day use. It's designed for working professionals who spend their whole day/week at an office and are open to pulling up to their screen for 3-6 hours to complete assignments and having a group meeting online. It's not designed to be a 24/7 academic + social platform.

Online programs are often viewed as a cash cow (few if any scholarships so everyone pays in full) that just help capture candidates who may be less competitive for full time or are less interested in full time programs and just want the degree. In fact, companies usually sponsor candidates to do the online MBA in order to promote them. It really is not designed for those seeking a career change into industries such as banking. Sure every now and again you hear about that one kid who used an online degree to pivot to IB, but it's so rare, I hate to see people be duped into thinking that's the norm and waste their money and time on a pipedream.

The biggest advantage of FT MBA programs is the network you build and the access to full time recruiting for senior staff/manager level roles. Until online MBAs start providing that type of value they will always be seen as a step or two below FT and even PT/EMBAs.