Redlands Business & Society Blog

News and Views from the University of Redlands School of Business & Society

A Closer Look at MBA Concentrations

An online MBA can qualify you for a number of jobs as it provides students with a foundational understanding of business processes and practices. University of Redlands’ online MBA program allows students to choose an emphasis in marketing, finance, or general business. Below, we take a closer look at each of the specializations and the benefits each specialization can provide.

MBA with a Marketing Specialization

Marketing specialists are in high-demand. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 71 percent of employers hiring recent business graduates want some of these individuals to fill positions in marketing, business development, and finance. In GMAC’s 2017 MBA alumni survey, 21 percent of MBA holders reported they were working in the marketing and sales. Mid-career MBA holders with a specialization in marketing report earning a yearly mean salary of $123,000.

MBA with a Finance Specialization

Every major company—whether it’s family-owned or on Wall Street—needs a finance expert. In 2017, the GMAC’s MBA alumni report noted that 24 percent of MBA graduates reported working in the finance and accounting industry. By mid-career, median pay for an MBA graduate with a major in finance reaches $130,000.

MBA with a General Business Emphasis

Many students pursue a general business emphasis, which provides a holistic view of business operations. Graduates with a general business emphasis often find themselves in management positions, such as operations managers or management analysts:

  • U.S. News & World Report ranks business operations managers in the top 10 “Best Business Jobs.” A business operations manager will earn a median annual salary of $99,310, and employment of business operations managers is projected to grow by 205,900 by 2026.
  • Management analysts are ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the top 20 “Best Business Jobs.” Management analysts earn a median salary of $81,330 annually and employment is projected to increase by 12 percent by 2026, with 96,500 positions expected to be filled during that time.

Benefits of an MBA

Completing an MBA takes commitment. However, MBA graduates are seeing a payoff. More than 80 percent of MBA graduates surveyed by GMAC reported they were satisfied with their job and employer. More than 60 percent of MBA graduates surveyed hold a supervisory position. The compensation for business school alumni can range from more than $70,000 per year in an entry-level position to more than $440,000 for a C-suite executive.

How Do I Determine My Specialization?

In order to decide what you should specialize in, ask yourself some questions. What are your interests? What are your skills and passions? Consider your strengths and what type of work environment suits you best. If you have questions or need guidance on how an MBA can align with your personal and professional goals, contact us at 1.888.643.1150. Our enrollment counselors will work with you to determine if the online MBA program is right for you and, if so, walk you through the application process.