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“This” means an online Master of Business Administration (MBA). It can build business skills that may be useful in education leadership or adjacent fields, but an MBA is not established as a standard requirement for school principal jobs, and the available wage figures do not show that earning one causes a pay increase. Start with the job you want, then check its credential requirements, local pay, and the cost of the degree.
What an MBA could add to a teacher’s career
An MBA typically focuses on business capabilities such as organizational leadership, financial management, strategic planning, data analysis, and communication. Those capabilities may be relevant to managing budgets, teams, programs, or operations. The Tech Edvocate’s September 29, 2026 article presents an online MBA as one possible way for teachers to broaden their options; it does not establish that the degree is necessary or sufficient for a particular career transition.
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Possible directions to investigate include school or district administration, postsecondary administration, education technology, curriculum development, nonprofit leadership, government, and corporate training. Treat these as avenues to research, not guaranteed outcomes. Requirements vary by employer and role, and the cited sources do not report employment or salary outcomes specifically for teachers who earned MBAs.
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School principal
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says principals typically need a master’s degree in education administration or leadership, along with teaching experience. That describes common preparation, not a rule for every employer, but it means an MBA should not be assumed to match the typical credential. Check the licensing and education requirements in the state and school system where you plan to work.
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BLS reports a May 2025 median annual wage of $105,870 for elementary, middle, and high school principals in the United States. It projects little or no employment change for these roles from 2025 to 2035. These are occupational figures, not a salary forecast for a teacher with an MBA. BLS: Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals.
Postsecondary education administrator
BLS says a master’s degree is typical for postsecondary education administrators, and employers often prefer experience in a postsecondary administrative office. A teacher’s classroom experience may be valuable, but it is not the same as that specific experience; review individual job postings to see what employers request.
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The May 2025 U.S. median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $104,590. BLS projects 2% employment growth from 2025 to 2035. Neither figure isolates MBA holders or shows that an MBA produces that wage. BLS: Postsecondary Education Administrators.
Other education and training roles
For roles in education technology, curriculum, nonprofits, government, or corporate training, identify actual openings and compare their required experience and credentials. A business degree may be relevant to some positions, but the sources available here do not establish that employers require an MBA for these paths.
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Put the wage figures in context
National occupational medians help describe jobs, not the return on a degree. Pay varies by location, employer, experience, and role. For comparison, BLS reports a May 2025 U.S. median annual wage of $65,150 for career and technical education teachers; it is an adjacent occupation figure, not an estimate of what a teacher would earn after an MBA. BLS: Career and Technical Education Teachers.
Before using any median to support a financial decision, look up current local pay for the specific position you want. Compare that with your current compensation and account for any change in benefits, work schedule, pension, or other employment terms. The figures above do not establish the difference a particular teacher would experience.
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Assess whether an online MBA is worth its cost and time
The Tech Edvocate article names Boston University Questrom and Penn State Smeal as examples and gives a tuition range from $30,000 to more than $100,000. Those details have not been independently verified against current program pages, so do not treat the range or examples as current offers or recommendations. Tuition, fees, delivery, completion time, and admissions policies can change.
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For any program under consideration, confirm the following directly with the school:
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- Total cost: tuition, fees, course materials, and any other required expenses.
- Format and schedule: online requirements, live-session timing, and how coursework fits around teaching and other responsibilities.
- Completion time: the expected schedule and what happens if you need to study part time or pause.
- Admissions: current GMAT or GRE policy and any waiver criteria. Do not buy test-preparation materials until you know a score is required for your application.
- Funding: scholarships, employer assistance, and any conditions attached to them.
- Credential fit: whether the program meets the requirements of the target job and, where relevant, state or employer rules.
Online delivery may make study easier to combine with work for some students, but it does not by itself establish that a program is flexible, affordable, or a good fit. Confirm the schedule and expectations for the specific program.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use a job-first decision process
- Name the role. Choose a specific position and location rather than a broad goal such as “move into leadership.”
- Check current job requirements. Review employer postings and applicable state or district rules. Note required degrees, licenses, and experience separately.
- Identify the gap. Determine whether you need an MBA, a different graduate degree, a license, administrative experience, or some combination. For principal roles, BLS describes a master’s in education administration or leadership as typical.
- Compare local earnings and prospects. Use current, location-specific information for the target occupation; national medians are context, not a personal forecast.
- Calculate your own investment. Include total program cost, funding, time, and any income or work trade-offs. Compare that investment with the role you are realistically pursuing, not an assumed salary increase.
- Verify program details. Confirm price, schedule, admissions rules, and completion expectations with each school before applying.
What the evidence can—and cannot—tell you
The BLS profiles describe typical education, experience, wages, and projected employment for occupations. They do not say an MBA is required for either principal or postsecondary education administrator jobs, and they do not measure the earnings effect of an MBA for teachers. The Tech Edvocate article argues that business skills can broaden career possibilities, but its program examples, cost range, and suggested transitions do not establish a personal return on investment.
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