Best MBA Degree Jobs for Graduates

One of the most prestigious graduate degrees in the nation is a master of business administration (MBA). It can prepare you for career paths in a variety of industries. MBA degree jobs are rising in popularity amongst employers.

With an MBA, you could have a high-paying job in managerial and executive roles. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the best MBA degree jobs for graduates.

While a bachelor’s degree can help you enter the industry of your choice, most companies are looking for applicants who possess graduate-level degrees. Though an MBA emphasizes business courses, students can choose from several specializations according to their professional goals.

From business operations to information systems management, an MBA can help you stand out amongst other candidates when applying for high-level positions.

What Is An MBA and Why Should I Earn One?

It takes two years to earn an MBA after earning a bachelor’s degree. There are several high-paying entry-level jobs for MBA graduates.

With an MBA, you develop excellent and flexible management skills, with which you can advance your career or even go for a career change. Graduates have access to an extensive business network and can start their own business.

Typically, requiring 60 credit hours, an MBA can take around two years to complete for full-time students. For students who have to juggle personal or financial responsibilities, part-time classes are also a good option. However, part-time students may take longer to finish the curriculum. 

Furthermore, many students choose to pursue their studies online – many online institutions offer excellent MBA programs, which we’ll discuss later on. Most online MBA programs require applicants to take some form of entrance examination or submit documentation to be considered.

How Much Can I Earn with MBA Degree Jobs?

Many professionals who graduate with an MBA find they make a lot more money. In fact, graduates of top-rated business schools show an average compensation of $161,566 post-graduation. Moreover, MBA graduates who work in for-profit sectors earn higher salaries than those who work for non-profits. However, working as a business administrator in a nonprofit can be rewarding in other ways.

Ultimately, this advanced degree is popular amongst both employers and employees. An MBA can lead to a variety of careers that are not only financially fulfilling but also exciting and challenging. 

Most professionals with MBAs can find themselves in executive positions soon after graduating. Whether it’s health care, sales, engineering, or technology, an MBA will enable you to enter several job fields.

Let’s now explore the best jobs you can get with a master of business administration.

Top MBA Careers for Students

Chief Technology Officer

Median Salary (2020): $245,402

Expected Job Growth (2016-2026): 12% (much faster than average)

Perhaps the most lucrative and most challenging job here, a CTO is one of the most essential components of any company. These officers represent their companies by heading staff meetings, making hiring decisions, and maintaining knowledge of the current technological landscape. 

CTOs basically take the initiative when it comes to leadership, innovation, and creativity. They identify new areas of digital marketing opportunities and decide how to maintain or improve quality standards. 

Every company or organization requires an executive such as a CTO to function as best as they can. Because of this, a job as a chief technical officer is very rewarding and in high demand. Though acquiring a position as CTO can be tough, an MBA with a relevant concentration will give you a serious advantage. If you’re a leader at heart, have great business sense, and are well-versed in technology, then this may be the perfect job for you.

Best Programs for CTO MBA Careers

• University of California at Berkeley (Haas)
• The University of California at Los Angeles (Anderson)
• Northwestern University (Kellogg)

Furthermore, you can find work opportunities and/or internships to bolster your resume here.

Finance Manager

Median Salary (2020): $123,948

Expected Job Growth (2018-2028): 16% (much faster than average)

Considered the backbone of all major businesses, the roles of finance managers are critical to the success of any company. These managers oversee and streamline everyday financial activities and advise other executives on future financial dealings. Their duties include analyzing accounts, reviewing financial reports, and ensuring that the organization’s monetary health is in good condition.

Financial managers can be employed in a variety of environments, in both the public and private sectors. Since every company requires a keen business sense to function properly, finance managers are employed in virtually every industry. 

To acquire a position in this role, students require an advanced degree such as an MBA concentrated in accounting, economics, or finance, along with several years of experience.

Best Programs for MBA Careers in Finance

• Stanford Graduate School of Business
• University of Pennsylvania: Wharton
• University of Chicago: Booth

Furthermore, you can find work opportunities and/or internships to bolster your resume here.

Information Technology Manager

Median Salary (2020): $146,360

Expected Job Growth (2018-2028): 11% (much faster than average)

A role that is growing in importance day by day, an IT manager is an integral part of any organization. IT managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and leading computer and network-related duties in a company. They devise and establish the best possible IT policies and systems to ensure efficient communication and networking throughout their organization.

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Find Your Bootcamp Match

IT managers should have no trouble finding a job in any industry. They can focus solely on computer networks or manage a greater spectrum of electronic operations. IT managers typically possess a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a relevant field. However, IT managers with graduate degrees can expect to fare better in the job market. 

Students with an MBA concentrated in computer/information science, along with relevant work experience, are excellent candidates for a role in IT management.

Best Programs For MBA Jobs in Information Technology

• University of Texas, Austin – McCombs
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Carlson
• University of Arizona – Eller

Furthermore, you can find work opportunities and/or internships to bolster your resume here.

Health Services Manager

Median Salary (2020): $100,980

Expected Job Growth (2018-2028): 18% (much faster than average)

Medical and health services managers are professionals who specialize in managing facilities that provide medical and health-related services. They manage the finances and the budget of the facility, hire, train, and supervise employees, and maintain the facility’s records. 

Health service managers work with medical professionals, patients, and insurance agents. They may also represent the facility at meetings or conferences. They make sure that their facilities are run according to the best and most recent guidelines and policies in healthcare laws.

It is recommended for students to have a master’s of some kind before applying for this role, and an MBA with a healthcare concentration is a great option. 

Not only is the demand for this role expected to increase, but so is the earning potential. Students who wish to enter this field should be organized, have good interpersonal communication skills, and knowledge of the software used in healthcare management. 

Best Programs for MBA Jobs in Health Services Management

• University of Massachusetts – Amherst
• Portland State University
• University of Delaware

Furthermore, you can find work opportunities and/or internships to bolster your resume here.

Marketing Managers

Median Salary (2020): $135,900

Expected Job Growth (2018-2028): 8% (faster than average)

Marketing managers are involved in strategizing, coordinating, and executing the various efforts associated with their company’s marketing plan. They are responsible for creating marketing teams that will develop and execute new concepts and business models to attract patrons and partners alike. Marketing managers also improve all external perceptions of their brand/company to expand overall profitability.

Since every company needs to make the public aware of their product or service, marketing managers are in consistently high demand. Students who wish to enter this field should have excellent interpersonal skills, a keen business sense, and a very creative mind. Students with an MBA and a concentration in marketing or public relations should be excellent candidates for this role.

Best Programs for MBA Jobs in Marketing

• The University of Texas at Dallas
• The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign
• Lehigh University

Furthermore, you can find work opportunities and/or internships to bolster your resume here.

Final Verdict for MBA Graduates

Though it may seem like a big investment, enrolling in the right MBA program can be an excellent decision. Whether you want to advance in your current career or change your professional field completely, this degree is the right way to go. 

The positions listed above are the best jobs for MBA grads. However, there are still many other rewarding roles, such as management consulting and investment fund managing. With the tools and guidance provided above, we here at CareerKarma wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

MBA Degree Jobs FAQ