Perspectives · July 23, 2026
Is an MBA Worth $250,000 in 2026? An Honest Graduate's Perspective
About Kevin Hak Hyun Yu
As a recent UC Berkeley Haas MBA graduate, Kevin shares what the degree actually provides, what it costs, and who is most likely to benefit from it. The video covers the curriculum, network, career opportunities, financial tradeoffs, and a practical framework for deciding whether an MBA is right for you.
Overcoming Challenges
The MBA decision is often clouded by prestige, sunk-cost thinking, and secondhand advice. Cutting through that noise requires being honest about the real costs (tuition, foregone income, opportunity cost) and the real benefits (network, recruiting access, structured pivot) rather than the marketing narrative each program puts forward.
Why Listen?
This is a first-principles walkthrough of when an MBA is worth it, when it is not, and what alternatives to consider. It is especially useful for anyone weighing business school, mid-career professionals considering a pivot, and undergraduates thinking about the long-term ROI of graduate education.