- May 01, 2026
- 5 min read
Why a one-year MBA makes sense in 2026
From gaining a quicker return on your business school investment to spending less time out of work, here are the benefits of studying a one-year MBA
Sponsored By Copenhagen Business School
Studying a one-year MBA can help you achieve a faster return-on-investment and spend less time out of work ©Copenhagen Business School
While an MBA can help you land a promotion, new role, or salary increase, pausing your career to return to school can also bring feelings of uncertainty for the future.
When asked about their top barriers to business school today, 20% of applicants say their main concern is uncertainty around job prospects after graduation. A further 16% are anxious about demands on time, while 12% are concerned about the impact of interrupting their careers to study, according to our latest Prospective Students Survey.
An accelerated MBA program is one option if you’re worried about the impact of your study decision.
Unlike traditional two-year degrees, programs such as the MBA at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) can be completed in just 12 months. They aim to alleviate common challenges by providing students with the fundamental business knowledge and skills taught in a typical MBA program within a shorter timeframe.
We spoke to insiders at CBS to find out the key benefits of studying a one-year MBA, and why this option makes sense today.
Earn a faster return-on-investment
Business school can be a significant investment, with programs at top schools costing upwards of $150,000 in some cases. However, through levelling up their careers, securing new roles, and earning higher salaries, graduates often see a lucrative return on their investment.
Return-on-investment (ROI) is one of the key priorities for business school applicants─46% of prospective students say it is their most researched topic around business education.
“The return on investment consideration is massive right now,” explains Andy Mellor, MBA admissions manager at CBS (pictured). “Obviously, an MBA is a big investment, and a one-year program can help reduce opportunity cost—both the cost of the program and not earning a salary for a year.”
While career and salary advancement are important considerations for ROI, building new skills and enhancing your network are also valuable outcomes that are less easy to quantify.
“Studying at CBS will boost you in a different way,” explains Anton Karnick, who graduated from the CBS MBA in 2025. “The culture boosts your leadership style, your perception of work-life balance, and [helps] figure out your inspirations and passions.”
Spend less time out of work
If you’re looking to reduce the amount of time you spend out of work, while ensuring you gain vital business insights, there are a range of options available—including part-time and online degrees, as well as one-year programs.
Leaving work to study is a concern many students have, including Anton—however, he felt his career break was ultimately worth it to make the most out of his MBA experience.
“I initially looked at part-time options, so I could continue working,” he explains. “But I then decided I would be working for the next 50 years anyway so I might as well just take the time to study a full-time program.”
Our Prospective Students Survey also shows that 73% of applicants prefer full-time, in-person programs to other study formats.
“Studying a full-time program is most people’s preference, but there’s the reality of wanting to keep your career going,” explains Andy.
“If you can study in a more intensive format, it reduces the uncertainty created by that, because it’s only one year you’re committing to—you are only out of the job market and out of your earnings for a year,” he continues.
Maintain the workforce mindset
A one-year program is also well-suited to students who prefer a professional environment to an academic one, and who are eager to return to the workplace while still expanding their business knowledge.
“I prefer working to studying, so I was initially considering a part-time MBA,” explains Anton, who now works as a senior product manager at chemical company HELM (pictured). “I decided to take the time to study a full-time program, but in a shorter timeframe, because I knew I wanted to go back to working as fast as possible.
“With the current job market, it’s not the easiest thing to get a job. The less time you are out of work, the easier it is to be back in again,” he adds.
Despite the intensity of a one-year MBA, Anton believes the faster return to work increases the value of the program—via reducing the time spent as a student and by maintaining a professional mindset.
“There’s a challenge around being out of work, or studying for too long, because you start to get used to new processes and ways of living,” he says. “I think if you can do it in one year, it’s a massive advantage—even if it’s stressful, I think it’s worth it to be able to return to work but still have the same level of academic background as someone who has studied a two-year program.”
Achieve long-term career progression
Among the most valuable outcomes of studying an MBA are the long-term opportunities for career progression—especially as 99% of employers express confidence in the ability of business education to prepare graduates to be successful in their organizations, according to our latest Corporate Recruiters Survey.
Throughout the year, the CBS MBA curriculum aims at bolstering students’ business acumen and building key leadership skills, though there is also the option to tailor the program to suit particular career ambitions and target roles.
Beyond the professional opportunities an MBA can provide, Anton emphasizes the program can also provide vital support for your personal development.
“If you’re looking to learn more about yourself, become a better person, and a better leader, the one-year MBA will help you,” he says. “The program will boost your leadership style, your work-life balance, and help you find your inspirations and passions.”
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