A Kansas University official said she believed MBA programs continued to have value, but said students did have more choices to consider than in the past.

“I think when you are considering the value of an MBA, you have to think hard about the institution that you choose to attend,” said Dee Steinle, associate director of master’s programs at KU’s School of Business. “If a school is touting a program that is quick and painless, it probably doesn’t have a lot of value.”

Steinle said she didn’t immediately have specific numbers available that showed how much money a KU graduate with an MBA earned versus a graduate without the degree. However, she said she was certain MBA graduates did earn more.

She also said she was confident KU’s program, which usually has 400 to 450 students, was teaching skills graduates would be able to use in the real world. Steinle said the school had developed a new professional skills development class after surveying area businesses about what skills they expect of MBA graduates.

She said the class addressed topics such as leadership, communication and workplace diversity.