While the cost of your degree entails how much money you spend on your MBA, the opportunity cost of your MBA refers to what you are giving up to pursue your degree. As with all applications of economic principles, any decision that results in a choice between two options has an opportunity cost. If you continued to work instead of continuing your education, how much money would you have made in the time it takes you to complete your MBA? For people pursuing MBA online or part-time, this is not as relevant because they are still able to work and take classes.