MBA vs. MS: Choosing Which Is Better for You

Both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science (MS) degree can offer a comprehensive graduate-level business education. However, an MBA will provide an interdepartmental look at how businesses run, while an MS will provide a nuanced understanding of one particular area of business.

The biggest difference between an MBA program and a business master's program is who the program is designed for. Typically, an MBA candidate will enter their program with a few years of work experience, while an MS learner will enter their program with little or no experience working in business.

Take a closer look at the differences—and similarities—between MBA and MS degrees.

What is an MBA degree?

An MBA is an advanced degree focusing on high-level business leadership and managerial skills.

Typical MBA coursework

MBA programs are slightly different from school to school but will typically have a combination of core curriculum and elective courses. Through the core curriculum, MBA programs will cover a range of foundational business topics, including areas such as:

• Management

• Strategy

• Finance

• Marketing

• Ethics

• Communications

Students will often have the opportunity to dive deeper into individual topics of interest with elective courses and concentrations. Some potential areas (sometimes called specializations) may include:

• Accounting

• Business analytics

• Entrepreneurship

• Finance

• Health care management

Read more: What Is an MBA Degree?

MBA salary and job prospects

With this widespread education, earning an MBA degree can equip you for senior and executive-level positions across many areas of business and can prime you for leadership positions that oversee multiple departments.

Many students pursue an MBA degree after a few years in the workforce in order to advance their careers. You’ll find full-time and part-time programs that allow MBA candidates to continue working while attending school. Depending on the type of program, an MBA will typically take between one and five years to complete.

Some companies that hire the most MBAs include consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and AT Kearney; tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft; and accounting firms like EY and Deloitte [1, 2]. When it comes to MBA salaries, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council, MBA recipients graduating in 2025 earned a median starting salary of $125,000, up from $120,000 in 2024 [3], though that number can vary quite a bit depending on the business school attended.

What is an MS degree?

An MS, also globally known as an MSc, is a Master of Science. MS degrees can focus on scientific areas of interest, like biology, engineering, or statistics, or they can apply a scientific approach to social sciences, such as psychology and economics.

Master's degrees in business are more likely to align with the latter. These degrees typically offer a depth of knowledge in one chosen area of business, such as:

• Finance

• Data analytics

• Accounting

• Management

• Marketing

Typical MS coursework

Like MBAs, MS programs will vary by school. Business master's programs may incorporate some foundational knowledge across all business sectors, but the bulk of the coursework concentrates on your chosen field, effectively making MS graduates experts in their particular areas of business.

Depending on the program, full-time and part-time enrollment options may be available, and it will typically take between one and two years to earn your degree [4].

MS salary and job prospects

This path prepares students for specialized careers within their chosen field. It can serve as a starting point for a career shift or to level up in a particular sector.

Prospective MS students do not necessarily have prior work experience in business, and many programs are designed for students with less than two years of work experience.

MS starting salaries vary across disciplines. For the class of 2025, the projected median starting salary of an MS recipient in the US in the fields analyzed ranged from $90,000 (finance or business analytics) to $100,000 (marketing or data analytics) [3].

What is the difference between MS and MBA?

Both MBA and MS degrees offer an intimate understanding of the mechanisms that drive business, as well as opportunities to network with future colleagues. An MBA offers a broader understanding of business, while an MS explores in-depth knowledge in one key business area.

For a more specific comparison, take a look at the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Management programs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business, both offered on Coursera.

MBA vs. MS: Salary after graduation

Average salaries after completing an MBA are higher than those of an MS, though this salary discrepancy is likely tied to the fact that most MBA recipients have already spent a few years in the workforce, while business master's degree recipients may not.

The following represents some of the average base salaries in the US for MBA and MS recipients across disciplines:

*Data represents base salary, excluding bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation 

MBA/MS dual degrees

Holding a dual degree is typically not necessary in order to enter any business field, however, some learners choose to pursue both their MBA and MS at the same time. You might do this in an effort to make your credentials stand out to potential employers, or because you simply love the subject matter and want to keep learning.

Schools that offer a joint program may recommend different schedules depending on the specific degrees you’re interested in; some start with MBA classes, while others begin with MS coursework. You’d need to check with your school to learn the path they recommend.

Since earning a dual degree usually comes with an additional cost, the majority of students pursuing a master’s in business choose either an MBA or MS degree.

MS vs. MBA: How to decide

In deciding whether an MBA or MS is right for you, consider the type of business experience you've already built up and revisit your career goals. If you envision yourself as a future leader of an organization at large, perhaps you’ll look into MBA programs. If, on the other hand, you see yourself rising to the top of a specific team within an organization, you might consider an MS program that aligns with your future team.

As you look into various MBA and MS programs, you might also consider reaching out to friends and colleagues who hold advanced business degrees, or contacting admissions counselors at your school of interest with any questions.

Either way, both MBA and MS degrees can be great options to build a solid foundation that can propel your business career forward. Choosing the right one for you ultimately comes down to your own goals.

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Are you planning or advancing a career in business? Keep your finger on the pulse of the industry with our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat! Or, check out the following resources to learn more about the paths you can explore:

• Find your path: Which Management Course Should You Take?

• Check out a career: Business Intelligence Analyst: $115K Career with 11% Growth

• Hear from a grad: Earning an MBA While Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Meet Illinois Tech Student Janie Butler 

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