MBA vs. Master's: Comparing Advanced Business Degrees

Every professional reaches a point when they start to plan the next stop on their career path. From leveling up in your current organization to establishing yourself as an expert within a certain specialty, or even pursuing managerial and leadership roles, it's healthy to have vocational aspirations that span beyond where you're at now.

Whatever your goal, you may find that you'll need some additional education and training to get there. And, in the business world, there are two common routes you will encounter: earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or pursuing a Master of Science (MS) in Business.

Both degree tracks provide graduates with in-demand skills that will help them further develop their professional repertoire and drive strong business results. So, what's the difference between these advanced business degrees? When it comes to an MBA or a master's in business, which should you choose?

Join us as we compare MBA versus master's in business.

Why get a master's degree?

Before we explore the difference between an MBA and a master's in business, it's worth discussing why there's value to pursuing an advanced degree in the first place. Simply put, earning a graduate degree can have a positive impact on your career prospects, regardless of your industry. Statistics collected by the U.S. Department of Labor clearly outline the effect educational attainment can have on an individual's earning potential and their likelihood of experiencing unemployment.

Interestingly, graduate business degrees specifically have been on the rise in recent years. According to the 2020 Application Trends Survey released by the Graduate Management Admission Councils (GMAC), post-baccalaureate business programs reported a growth of more than 10 percent in applications for the 2019-20 school year. This appears to also be true in two- and four-year programs, with full- and part-time degree tracks, and among U.S., Canadian, European, and Asia Pacific schools.

With more than 1,000 participating programs available from 325 different business schools worldwide, the GMAC survey concluded that approximately two in three — or about 66% — of both MBA and Master of Science (MS) in Business programs saw a significant increase in applications in 2020. The median acceptance rates were also higher than in years past.

This growth, while interesting, may seem insignificant. But it can actually be a sign that the job market is likely going to get even more competitive in the business world — an outcome all too common when the economy slows. We saw this reflected in the wake of the Great Recession around 2010, and we're seeing it now a decade later.

The GMAC researchers note that when recession looms, the opportunity cost of taking the time needed to update your skills, develop your industry knowledge, and build upon your professional network at business school reduces greatly. If you've been eager to upskill so you can venture forward in your career endeavors, data suggests now could be the perfect time.

Why get an MBA?

Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs are designed to provide students with critical business leadership skills and the knowledge needed to leverage those skills into driving better results for their organizations. MBA students can expect to explore a robust range of topics, including accounting, finance, marketing, performance tracking, ethics, and more.

In an MBA program, like the one at Bellevue University, students learn how to critically assess business dynamics; to investigate and recommend effective organizational structure; to formulate and communicate business goals; and to do it all within appropriate ethical, legal, and societal frameworks that support successful corporate leadership.

There is a definite versatility to the knowledge and skills MBA students gain in pursuit of their graduate degrees, which can benefit them in a number of different job roles or industries. And many MBA programs allow students to select a specific concentration if they're interested in diving deeper into a particular area of focus.

MBA Concentrations at Bellevue University
Accounting	Information Security Management
Acquisition & Contract Management	Interdisiplinary Business
Business Analytics	International Management
Cybersecurity	Management
Entrepreneurship	Management Information Systems
Executive Coaching	Marketing
Finance	Professional Communication
Global Economic Threat Environment	Project Management
Healthcare	Supply Chain Management
Human Capital Management	Tax
Human Resource Management

The MBA concentration options at Bellevue University range from Cybersecurity, Healthcare, and Supply Chain Management to Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, and Executive Coaching.

Why get a Master of Science in Business?

If you choose to pursue an MS in a business-related field, your experience will be a bit more specialized than that of a typical MBA student. By opting to go the Master of Science route, you'll need to choose a specific subject you'd like to pursue — something like Data Science, Management Information Systems, Healthcare Administration, or Human Resource Strategic Management.

MBA Concentrations at Bellevue University
Accounting	Organizational Leadership
Business Analytics	Organizational Performance
Data Science	Project Management
Healthcare Administration	Public Administration
Human Resource Strategic Management	Strategic Finance
Management	Strategic Marketing
Management Information Systems

While you can certainly expect to walk away from an MS program with some multipurpose business skills, your core focus will be on the niche subject in which you're pursuing your degree. For example, if you pursue an MS in Accounting, you can expect to hone your finance and accounting skills, setting you on the path to establish yourself as an expert in the field.

How to choose between an MBA or MS in Business

Now that you know the core differences between an MBA and a master's in business, the distinction between the two paths should be more clear: the former allows students to develop skills in a wide range of areas within the field of business, while the latter will set the stage for a career spent within a specific discipline.

To determine which option is best for your particular goals, it can be helpful to analyze the type of professional you hope to be throughout your business career. One prominent analogy is to consider the differences between those with "T-shaped" skills and those with "I-shaped" skills.

An I-shaped professional is one who specializes deeply in one area; they develop an intense level of knowledge and experience in one discipline, demonstrating great depth. Conversely, T-shaped professionals demonstrate great proficiency in several different areas, with skills that are applicable in multiple disciplines.

In other words: do you prefer to know a lot about one subject and hone those skills over time (type I), or do you hope to tackle multiple areas throughout your career and move from one skill to another (type T)?

Business professionals looking to advance have the option to do so either as a specialist or a generalist. With specialized degree tracks like those found in a Master of Science, you'll get the benefit of entering into a defined career path — one that might be better suited for individuals with I-shaped skills. But if you're looking for something more versatile that could yield a variety of different opportunities, you could further strengthen your T-shaped skill set in an MBA program.

MBA vs. master's in business: The choice is yours

The choice between pursuing an MBA versus a master's in business all boils down to your personal goals and interests. Whether you're looking to establish yourself as an expert or further develop as a multifaceted business leader, you can find what you need within Bellevue University's graduate degree programs.

Find your perfect fit among Bellevue University's impressive range of graduate business degrees.