Master’s vs MBA: Which Degree is Better for You?

When I began to ask myself some questions about the subject of MBA vs masters, I found myself bogged down in articles that were full of jargon. Others have said it is the golden ticket to success, and some have put glorifying a graded master degree as the smarter way to go. Frankly speaking, it was overwhelming.

So, let’s cut the noise. You are not alone, in wanting to know whether to choose one or the other, whether mba or masters, or wondering: is mba better than masters? or Masters vs MBA: How do I decide? I have experienced this, and I understand that the choice is not that easy. However, after reading this post, you will have a clear picture of what each degree entails, the distinction as well as how to calculate which one best suits your professional ambitions.

Direct response: MBA is excellent when you want to become a leader, manager or an entrepreneur. A Master is preferable in case you have a desire to dig deeper into a single subject and become a specialist in a given field.

Now we are going to go step by step.

How is it different between mba vs masters?

This is the first question that is commonly asked. Although both are postgraduate degrees they are aimed at extremely different targets:

1. Master’s degree 🎓

• Specializes in a single topic (such as: Computer Science, Economics, Data Analytics).
• Greater evidence based.
• Good in technical or academic professions.

2. MBA (Master of Business Administration) 💼

• Northern and southern, finance, marketing, strategy, HR and leadership.
• More case-study, practical and management oriented.

Good in leadership, starting a business, or changing industries.

Therefore when you ask, what is the difference between mba and master, consider it a follows: a Master degree turns you into a specialist, an MBA into a generalist leader.

Why are people asking is mba better than masters?

I get it. I posed the same question when I was at cross roads. The fact is that neither of them is necessarily superior. It depends on:

• Career aspirations- Are you a future CEO or a subject specialist?

• Background You are fresh out of undergrad or have some work experience?

• Your industry - In certain fields a masters is valued more (such as engineering or psychology). In some, MBA is more of a door-opener (such as business, finance or consulting).

As an illustration, my friend graduated with Master in Data science becoming a data analyst in one of the leading tech firms. However, my cousin pursued an MBA in Marketing and is currently heading a digital marketing department. Both degrees were employed, however, in totally different manners.

Masters vs MBA: How Do I Decide? – The Core Questions to Ask Yourself

These are the questions to ask yourself before you waste years and thousands of dollars:

1. So what is my career path?

• Should you ever aspire to become a professor, a researcher, or master of a deep topic of study, then you need a Master.
• When you desire to manage a team, business or an organization → MBA.

2. Do I have work experience?

• The MBA programs generally require 2-5 years of work experience.
• New graduates are frequently accepted in master programs.

3. What type of learning is interesting to me?

• Are you a stickler of researching, exploring and deep into theory? → Master.
• Are you more of a case studies, networking, and application person? → MBA.

Cost and ROI: Is MBA better than masters? 💰

Always money comes into this, does it? Let’s talk numbers.

• Master’s: Usually cheaper ($20,000–$60,000). Payback will be dependent on your industry (STEM fields are frequently high paying).

• MBA: Can be extremely costly (60000- 120000 and more in the best schools). However, the ROI may be enormous in case you become a consultant, a financial expert, or a leader.

Yes, MBA may be a little costlier, but the investment can be recouped in a short time should you get a lucrative position.

👉 Tip: In case of budgetary issue, look into the possibility of scholarships or even online MBAs/Master which are less expensive.

What is more respected globally, mba vs masters?  Scene?

It is quite a matter of the eye:

• MBA is a business highly valued in the US and the UK.

• A Masters is highly regarded in the STEM disciplines of the world.

• In the developing world, MBA may have a higher prestige as it is perceived to be a leadership degree.

So get yourself to where you intend to work long-term.

The FAQs on Google about mba vs masters

Let’s strike some of the most frequent questions that people ask on Google ⇣.

❓ Is MBA harder than a Master’s?

• Not necessarily. A Master is more difficult in theory and research whereas an MBA is more difficult in workload, networking, and group projects.

❓ Can I do both MBA and Master’s?

• Yes! Others complete a Master first then decide to do MBA after getting some working experience.

❓ MBA or Master in IT professionals, which one is better?

• In case you are technical minded, then you can take up Master in IT, Data or AI.
• In case you wish to join the leadership ranks such as CTO or Product Manager → MBA.

❓ Does MBA guarantee a job?

• No degree guarantees a job. But MBAs tend to possess good placement facilities and networks of alumni.

Personal Experience: Why I Nearly Made a Bad Degree Choice

I’ll be real with you. Initially, I believed that the only solution was MBA since all the people around me were talking about it as the secret key to success. And I was about to apply, but I understood that my interest was rather in creating tech solutions than project management.

It was at that time that I thought of a Master of Computer Science. I have talked to alumni, reviewed job descriptions, and am finding that a specialized master will suit me better. This single move spared me the thousands of dollars that I would spend going down the wrong path.

👉 Moral: Don’t follow the hype. Decide according to your vision, and not what is said by society.

Final Thoughts: Masters vs MBA: Which Degree is Better for You?

So, is MBA better than Masters? The fact is, it is a matter of who you are and what you want:

• To lead, manage, or even begin a business → Select an MBA.
• In case you prefer to specialize, conduct research, or even being a technical expert → Select a Masters.

Both will transform your career at the end of the day. The key is knowing yourself.

Sources and More 📚 Useful Resources

• See my previous articles on Benefits of Internship.– it describes the role of practical experience in these decisions.

• Read first Year in College Mistakes.– since it is important to avoid mistakes at the beginning to plan in the long-term education.

• In case of degree specific rankings, try out QS World Rankings MBA & Master.

✅ So tell me in the comments: Which one are you leaning towards – an MBA or a Master’s?