MBA vs MS: Understanding the Differences to Make the Right Decision

When it comes to pursuing an advanced business degree, you’ve got options. Two popular choices are the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science (MS) in a business discipline. But which degree is right for you?

What is the Difference Between an MBA and an MS?

MBA and MS degrees focus on developing critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary to succeed in a variety of industries and organizational settings. Both degrees will equip you with advanced management and leadership skills to successfully navigate disruptive business environments.

"In simple terms, the MBA builds range, while the MS builds depth," said Dr. Karen L. Koza, an MBA instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) who has focused on marketing strategy, brand leadership and education throughout her career.

Here's a breakdown of the differences between the two degrees, according to Koza:

"The MBA develops a broader business leader, while the MS builds specialized functional expertise," said Koza.

Your decision between the degrees should depend on what you envision for your career. "Both are valuable, but they serve different career paths and different kinds of leadership goals," Koza said.

Let's explore a bit deeper to help you decide which one may be the best fit for your career goals.

MBA or MS: Which is Better?

“Whether you have management experience or aspiring to become a manager, you can achieve your personal, professional and financial goals with either of these degrees,” said Dr. Michelle Caron, associate dean of business at SNHU.

Neither degree is better than the other, so you can rest assured that whichever program you choose you’ll be well prepared for a career in business.

"Employers like to see depth and breadth of knowledge, and each of these degrees can provide that for all industries," Caron said. “You’ll want to consider your career trajectory and your level of interest in the curriculum for each program.”

An MS might be a better fit if you want to become highly proficient in functional areas of business — finance, human resources, marketing or management — and develop leadership skills to drive change or sustain high performance throughout an organization.

The MBA, on the other hand, is a great choice if you're looking for a master’s degree in business with a broad focus that you can apply across industries.

Does an MBA Pay More Than an MS?

Ultimately, your pay is dependent on things like geographic location, industry, job role and experience level, so it's not solely based on one degree or the other. Whether you pursue an MBA or an MS, an advanced business degree can be a great investment in your career.

According to BLS, the median annual salary for all management occupations was $122,090 in 2024 — and either an MBA or an MS can help you develop the skill set and knowledge for a career in management.*

MBA vs. MS: Degree Options by Field

Here are the advanced degrees and concentrations to consider within 7 major areas of business:

Accounting and Finance

Like working with numbers? Several accounting and finance roles are projected to grow at a faster pace than the average 3% growth rate for all occupations through 2034, according to BLS:*

• Accountants and auditors: 5% projected growth rate through 2034*
• Financial analysts: 6% projected growth rate through 2034*
• Financial managers: 15% projected growth rate through 2034*

If you're thinking about a finance or accounting career, you have several master's degree options to consider:

• MBA with a concentration in Accounting
• MBA with a concentration in Finance
• MS in Accounting
• MS in Finance

Within accounting and finance, certifications can be important, so check to see which programs can help you prepare for industry credentials that you might want or need. If you plan to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), for example, SNHU's MS in Accounting was designed with that goal in mind.

Read more: What's the Difference Between Accounting and Finance?

Business Analysis

Roles in business analysis are projected to grow in the coming years, with BLS reporting a 9% projected growth rate for management analysts and a 21% operations research analyst roles through 2034.*

Your degree options for these roles might include:

• MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics
• MS in Data Analytics

The MBA would have a heavier focus on leadership and the business side of the role, whereas the master's in data analytics is focused on the hard skills.

Keep reading: What is Business Analytics?

Healthcare Administration

Here are some degree options to consider:

• MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management
• MS in Healthcare Administration
• MS in Management with a concentration in Healthcare

Your choice will depend on where you see your career headed and where your interests lie. If you see yourself advancing to an executive-level healthcare management role that would require business knowledge, you might choose the MBA, for example.

Learn more: What is Healthcare Administration?

High-level Leadership

If you're looking to enhance your chances of reaching a high-level leadership position like a top executive or senior director role, you have a few options:

• MBA with a concentration in Leadership
• MS in Management
• MS in Organizational Leadership

You could also opt for the standard MBA track without choosing a concentration, with BLS calling out the MBA as an option for aspiring top executives of large corporations.

Human Resources

Human resource managers earned a median salary of $140,030 in 2024, and the role is also poised for faster-than-average growth through 2034, according to BLS.*

Degrees to consider include:

• MS in Human Resource Management
• MBA with a concentration in Human Resources

Read more: The Changing Role of HR in Today's Workforce

Information Technology (IT) Management

Roles for computer and information systems managers are projected to grow at a much faster-than-average 15% growth rate through 2034, and roles had a median annual salary of $171,200 in 2024.*

Interested in becoming a tech leader? Consider these master's programs:

• MBA with a concentration in Information Technology Management
• MS in Cybersecurity with a concentration in IT Management
• MS in Computer Science
• MS in Information Technology

Your choice will depend on how much you're looking to advance your technical knowledge, the specific specialties you're interested in and whether you hope to advance to a top executive position.

Keep reading: How to Become an IT Manager

Marketing Management

Roles for advertising, promotion and marketing managers are projected to grow at a faster-than-average 6% through 2034, and the role had a median salary of $159,660 in 2024.*

Degree options include:

• MS in Marketing
• MBA with a concentration in Marketing

"An MBA with a marketing concentration helps prepare you to think strategically, connect brand decisions to business outcomes and work across teams," Koza said. "An MS in Marketing goes deeper into areas like consumer behavior, analytics and market research."

How to Choose a Graduate Program

Now that you have some insight on the similarities and differences, think about which degree best fits your career goals. If you're still undecided, reach out to an admission counselor, and they can help guide you through the process of choosing a graduate program.

That's what Youshi Patel '24MBA did.

He said he had been considering getting a graduate degree for a while before he realized the only thing standing in his way was fear. At that point, he got in touch with SNHU to decide on his next steps.

"Working with the advisor was very, very easy and gave me the guidance that I needed to narrow down the program that I wanted to be in, because it was a two-way communication," Patel said of his decision to earn an MBA online at SNHU.

Whichever degree you choose, you don't have to make the choice alone.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.