MSBA vs. MBA - What’s Best for Your Career Goals?

As you consider the best path for moving ahead in your career, you may wonder whether an MBA or an MSBA is the right choice for you. Deciding can be a challenge because both post-degree scenarios are attractive.

An MBA opens doors to various management and leadership positions across multiple industries, with 90% of employers surveyed by the Graduate Management Admission Council planning to hire MBA holders.¹ The degree equips you with leadership, communication, and analytical skills to navigate complex business challenges and offers the potential for increased earnings throughout your career.

Business analytics is a diverse, booming field offering career opportunities in tech, healthcare, and beyond. Business analytics refers to the skills, statistical methods, and technologies companies use to explore and analyze business data and performance. Mastering business analytics equips you to become a highly sought-after asset, empowering you to translate data into actionable insights that drive business success.

Is a data-focused career or a role in broader business leadership for you? Read on to consider the specialized skills and potential career outcomes of an MSBA vs. MBA and its emphasis on well-rounded management skills.

Whatever path you choose, earning an advanced degree is worthwhile. In 2022, working professionals 25 to 34 years old with bachelor’s degrees earned an average of $66,600. Those with master’s or more advanced degrees earned 20 percent more, with an average cross-industry salary of $80,200.² In addition to the salary differential, advanced education can help you build the generalized skills and knowledge base that contribute to career resilience and success. Returning to our main question, here’s a quick comparison of MSBA vs. MBA salary.

Business analytics is a rapidly growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, operational research analysts (who analyze a company’s internal business issues) have a median pay rate of $83,640 annually, with projected job growth of 23 percent between 2022 and 2032—much faster than the average.³ The average annual salary for an analytics manager, according to Payscale, is $106,103.⁴

MBAs work across sectors, so the number of available jobs depends on the specific industry in which you want to work. MBA salaries are influenced by industry, region, business function, and experience, among other factors. Some representative job titles and earnings for MBA graduates include marketing manager, with a national average salary of $166,410, and financial manager, with a national average wage of $174,820.⁵

Let’s take another look now at the difference between MBA and MSBA curricula.

An MSBA prepares students to become experts in handling and analyzing data sets and business challenges. In their coursework, students develop in-demand programming skills in computer languages such as SQL, Python, Apache, Hadoop, R, and Spark. They also cultivate and hone their communication and leadership skills. With a master’s degree in business analytics, you’ll learn to translate complex data into valuable information that executives can use to take decisive actions.

MBA programs develop students' skills in leadership along with analysis, strategy formulation and effective communication. Because the demand for MBA graduates is so widespread, potential students can choose from many MBA program formats and specializations. Today, it’s possible to study full-time or part-time, online, on-campus or in a hybrid program mixing virtual and in-person classes. There are even executive MBA programs that meet on weekends or other unusual timetables.

Seattle University’s Online MBA is a full-time online program with asynchronous course delivery supported by a robust learning management system. This combination allows working professionals to continue their careers and study on their own schedules while building meaningful professional connections with peers, professors and the larger Seattle University community.

Some MBA programs are specialized, focusing more intensely on skills for industries such as healthcare or financial services or roles like business analytics.

An MBA with a concentration in business analytics focuses more on business management than data science. MBA graduates learn how to create and grow purposeful, sustainable businesses built on teamwork and innovation while applying data analytics to business environments.

Do you enjoy diving deep into data sets, programming, and analytics—or do you prefer taking a higher-level view and having your hand in all aspects of a business? Understanding the difference between MBA and MSBA programs and the career opportunities for each will help you decide which is right for you. An Online MBA or Online MSBA can provide the flexibility to advance your career while continuing to work.

An MSBA program typically includes programming, statistics, database management and data mining, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning courses. You might also learn about law and ethics in business analytics, business forecasting, and communicating with stakeholders, but the focus is on analytical tools and methods.

An MBA program takes a broader view of the world of business. This multidisciplinary program includes courses in operations, communications, stakeholder relationships, negotiation skills, marketing strategy, and management of people, risk, supply chain, and corporate finances.

With part-time study, an Online MBA may take two years or longer to complete. This will depend on your course load. By contrast, the Online MSBA program is usually shorter: between one and two years.

When thinking about whether to pursue a master’s in business analytics vs. an MBA, keep these admissions guidelines in mind:

MBA programs usually require professional experience ranging from 2 to 7 years, whereas business master’s degrees have more varied requirements. Some will accept recent graduates, while others seek those with a few years of work experience. Seattle University’s Online MBA requires two years of work experience, while the Online MSBA doesn’t require work experience.

MBA programs typically accept students from various undergraduate backgrounds and emphasize strong quantitative and analytical skills. Master’s degrees in Finance and Business Analytics also value diverse academic backgrounds but often prefer prior knowledge in related quantitative fields as these can enhance the understanding of specialized subjects.

The Online MSBA and Online MBA programs at Seattle University require an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, although probational admission may be granted if your GPA is lower. In that case, adding a well-written personal statement to your application can tip the scales in your favor.

When weighing the MBA vs. the business analytics degree, you can rest assured that either will prepare you for many public, private, and non-profit career opportunities. With an MSBA, you’ll be highly competitive for desirable careers like marketing analyst, business analyst, quantitative analyst, and data scientist. Depending on your background and goals, the MBA prepares you for industry-spanning roles in organization management and leadership, business analysis and strategy, marketing, sales, or human resources. Given the comprehensive nature of the studies, an MBA is also great preparation for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Analytics roles for which an MSBA prepares you are essential in energy and utilities, information technology, insurance and finance, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, and other industries. The national average salary for business intelligence analysts and data scientists is $108,020, with variations across industries, roles and experience.^{6, 7}

MBA career possibilities are virtually endless, with opportunities as diverse as investment banker, financial analyst, human resources manager, policy analyst, product manager, chief financial officer and chief executive officer. Average national salaries range from $59,606 for an accountant to $136,754 for a CEO and $144,563 for a CFO.⁸

At the Albers School of Business and Economics, you can choose between an Online MBA or an Online Master of Science in Business Analytics, both AACSB accredited. You’ll discover a rigorous curriculum, world-class faculty, and ample networking opportunities. You’ll learn how to solve today’s business challenges while you develop important relationships and hone your leadership abilities. Whichever degree you choose, both will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for the exciting careers of the future. Contact an admissions outreach advisor today to discuss your career goals.