MS vs MBA, two of the most sought after degrees among students after completing their undergraduate studies and a topic of discussion as you stand at the verge of entering your professional life and planning a career. The difference between master and MBA is for whom the program is curated and what the program focuses on. Both MS and MBA are master’s degrees but focus on different domains while MBA completely focuses on management and leadership skills, MS is wider in scope in terms of specialisations offered and lifelong learning opportunities by engaging in research.
MS or MBA is an investment as well as commitment and we want you to choose wisely. In this blog, we aim to discuss MBA or MS which is better with detailed information on top universities, course comparison, fees, scholarships, career opportunities, which course to choose and answers to commonly asked questions about MBA vs masters.
Suggested: MBA in India vs MS in US
What is MS vs MBA?
MS or Master of Science is a 2-year postgraduate degree also known as MSc. Various specializations for MS degrees are mainly in the science domain such as Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, etc. MS degrees are also offered in business related specializations such as:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Management
- Economics
- Economics
- Sociology
- Psychology
MBA or Master of Business Administration is a professional postgraduate degree that can be completed within 1-2 years. The program focuses on applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations through case studies and by undertaking projects and internships. You can apply for 1-year MBA programs offered at top universities such as London Business School, INSEAD and most other UK B-schools. The program usually requires 3-5 years of professional work experience. It focuses more on developing managerial skills such as leadership qualities, team work, problem solving, decision making, communication skills, etc. B-schools now offer a variety of specialisations such as:
- Data analytics
- Healthcare
- Supply chain management
- Consulting
- Information systems
apart from the traditional ones such as finance, marketing, HR, and entrepreneurship.
Suggested: Types of MBA Specializations
Popular Specialisations for MS vs MBA Degree
Take a look at the table below and see the difference between master and MBA top specializations:
|
MS |
MBA |
|
Computer Science Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Chemistry Physics Biology Psychology Statistics Biotechnology Nursing Environmental Sciences |
Finance Marketing HR Entrepreneurship Data Analytics Digital Marketing Consulting Information System Supply Chain Management Healthcare |
Highest paying MBA specializations in the world
MS vs MBA: Course Comparison
To understand MBA or MS which is better, here is a table with difference between master and MBA:
|
Basis of Comparison |
MS |
MBA |
|
Type of Degree |
Postgraduate degree |
Postgraduate degree |
|
Focus Areas |
Focus is on technical skills and hands-on training in the area of specialization. |
Focuses on the theory, practical training and exposure of business and management skills. |
|
Scope |
Engineering, IT, Medicine, Health Science, Teaching, Research, etc. |
Entrepreneurship, Finance, Business, Investment Banking, Consulting |
|
Program Duration |
2 years |
1-2 years |
|
Tuition Fees |
20,00,000-45,00,000 INR per year |
20,00,000-75,00,000 INR per year |
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Completed bachelor’s degree with minimum 60-75%, GRE scores, English language proficiency test scores and supporting documents including SOP, LOR, resume, etc. |
Completed bachelor’s degree with minimum 75%, GMAT/ GRE scores, proof of English language proficiency, SOP, LORs, resume, interview, etc. |
|
Work Experience |
No prior work experience is required. |
3-5 years of work experience required for admission. |
|
Top Countries |
USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand |
USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, France |
|
Average Salary |
40,00,000-60,00,000 INR |
30,00,000-75,00,000 INR |
Suggested: MS in USA vs Europe
|
Confused if you’ll score your dream university? Know how well you stand a chance with Yocket’s College Finder Tool! |
Top Universities for MS vs MBA
There are several top universities abroad for pursuing MBA vs masters. Some of the highest ranked universities for MBA or MS after engineering are based in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, etc. Getting into one of the most coveted universities abroad will open your doors to a plethora of opportunities. Take a look at the top universities for MS universities abroad along with average tuition fees:
|
University |
QS Rankings |
Average Tuition Fees |
|
1 |
$55,000-80,000 (50,00,000 INR) |
|
|
=3 |
$56,000-66,000 (50,00,000 INR) |
|
|
5 |
$50,000-85,000 (50,00,000 INR) |
|
|
2 |
$35,000-50,000 (40,00,000 INR) |
|
|
=3 |
$30,000-55,000 (40,00,000 INR) |
|
|
26 |
$16,000-42,000 (24,50,000 INR) |
|
|
230 |
$14,000-25,000 (25,00,000 INR) |
|
|
=50 |
$10,500-16,000 (12,25,000 INR) |
|
|
25 |
$40,000-60,000 (51,00,000 INR) |
|
|
32 |
$25,000-30,000 (35,00,000 INR) |
Talking about leading universities for MBA abroad, here are the top 10 B-schools that offer excellent opportunities and lucrative salary packages:
|
University |
QS Rankings |
Average Tuition Fees |
|
Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA |
1 |
$76,950 (62,87,000 INR) |
|
Harvard Business School, USA |
=2 |
$73,440 (60,00,000 INR) |
|
Wharton School of Business, USA |
=2 |
$84,874 (69,35,000 INR) |
|
4 |
$84,465 (70,00,000 INR) |
|
|
Sloan School of Management, USA |
5 |
$80,400 (65,00,000 INR) |
|
6 |
$120,250 (98,25,000 INR) |
|
|
=7 |
$76,225 (62,28,000 INR) |
|
|
=7 |
$97,740 (79,86,000 INR) |
|
|
Columbia Business School, USA |
9 |
$77,376 (63,22,000 INR) |
|
10 |
$98,740 (80,67,000 INR) |
MS vs MBA: Eligibility Criteria
Given below is the eligibility criteria listed for both MS and MBA programs across the globe:
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Completed bachelor’s degree with minimum 60-75%, GRE scores, English language proficiency test scores SOP, LOR, resume, etc. Work experience is optional. |
Completed bachelor’s degree with minimum 75%, GMAT/ GRE scores, proof of English language proficiency, SOP, LORs, resume, interview, etc. Work experience of 2-3 years is required. |
MS vs MBA: Cost to Study
The cost to study MS vs MBA comprises the tuition fees along with the living expenses in a particular country that you choose to study your course from.
- MS tuition fees at top universities starts as low as 10,000 USD and goes up to 50,000 USD. The MBA fees, on the other hand, range between 40,000 USD to 100,000 USD for some of the best B-schools in the world.
- The living expenses entirely depend on the lifestyle you choose, and the country that you’re studying in. Living expenses (food, accommodation, books and supplies, transportation, bills, etc) usually lie between 5,000 USD to 10,000 USD per month.
Suggested: Cost of MS in USA
Scholarships for MS vs MBA
The cost of MS vs MBA abroad is overwhelming and students look for various scholarship opportunities that can reduce their financial burden. As international students, there will be abundant merit as well as need scholarships for you so just make sure you apply early to receive maximum benefits. Take a look at some of the most prestigious scholarships open for international students to study MS vs MBA abroad:
- Chevening Scholarship
- GREAT Scholarship
- Felix Scholarship
- Inlaks Scholarship
- Tata Scholarships
- British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM
- Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
- Global Study Awards
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
Suggested: Cost of Studying MS in UK vs India
|
Know More About Studying MBA Abroad |
|
Career Opportunities after MS vs MBA
Both MS and MBA degrees will help you land jobs with lucrative packages. Your average MS vs MBA salary after graduating will depend on various factors such as job title, location, specialisation, years of experience, etc. After completing MS, you can expect to get around 40,00,000-60,00,000 INR per year while an MBA graduate can be paid around 30,00,000-75,00,000 INR per year.
Here are the various job titles that you can be hired and the salary after completing MS in USA and abroad:
|
Job Title |
Average Salaries |
|
Engineer |
$91,700 |
|
Scientist |
$155,000 |
|
Biochemist |
$189,000 |
|
Statistician |
$147,000 |
|
Researcher |
$151,000 |
|
Mathematician |
$152,000 |
|
Chemist |
$192,000 |
|
Assistant Professor |
$142,000 |
|
Pharmacist |
$128,000 |
|
Life Scientist |
$157,000 |
Take a look at the popular job titles for MBA graduates and average salaries:
|
Job Title |
Average Salary |
|
Financial Manager |
$181,000 |
|
General Manager |
$161,000 |
|
Project Manager |
$108,000 |
|
Marketing Manager |
$169,000 |
|
Human Resource Manager |
$148,000 |
|
Business Development Manager |
$145,000 |
|
Executive Manager |
$181,000 |
|
Chief Corporate Officer |
$170,000 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
$194,000 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
$218,000 |
Suggested:Jobs and Salary after MBA abroad
Which Course to Choose: MS vs MBA?
The question of which course to choose between MS and MBA mainly arises among students from science backgrounds who can go for both MBA or MS after engineering. You are the best judge of MS vs MBA which is better. We can help you with suggestions to compare the two and decide which is suitable for you. To summarize here are the points that you must consider to understand the difference between master and MBA:
- If you wish to gather business knowledge, management skills, be a part of the professional network, boost your salary or plan to run a business someday, definitely an MBA degree is what you need.
- If you are someone who wants to become an expert in a particular field then an MS degree will be well-suited for you.
- An MBA degree will be your ladder to top management positions and grand paychecks while an MS is no less with lifelong learning and significant increase in salary with industry experience.
- The return on investment for both MBA and MS is considerably good and you will recover your investment within the initial 2-4 years itself. In comparison to MS, MBA graduates have higher starting salaries.
- Even combining an engineering degree with an MBA is an option worth considering keeping in mind the current demand of skilled professionals in the job market who can wear many hats.
Suggested: 1-Year MBA vs 2-Year MBA Program
We hope you got clarity on MBA or MS which is better and will make an informed decision after reading this article. Whether you decide to go for an MBA or MS after engineering, prepare well for exams required to study abroad and aim for the leading universities. Make sure you choose a degree that aligns with your career goals so that you give it your best. Every person is different in what they do and how they do it, so don’t be afraid to make a choice that you think will lead you to your goals.
To need more assistance, get help from our Yocket Counsellors!
Frequently Asked Questions about MS vs MBA
Ques. MBA or MS which is better?
Ans. An MBA degree is ideal for students who have interest in business, entrepreneurship and management roles or want to progress in their career. An MS degree is suitable if you wish to specialize in a particular subject area such as engineering, health, mathematics, etc.
Ques. Which is harder MBA vs masters?
Ans. There is no comparison between the difficulty of MBA vs masters as both degrees are suitable for students based on their aptitude. If you have some professional work experience, an MBA degree will be quite easy for you to understand compared to a master’s degree.
Ques. What are the options after pursuing MS vs MBA?
Ans. Most students take a job right after completing an MBA as it is a professional degree and you will have the right skills to find a variety of opportunities in different sectors. The choice before students pursuing MS is either to find a job or pursue research.
Ques. What pays more MS vs MBA salary?
Ans. Generally, in the entry level as freshers you will earn more with an MBA degree than MS.
Ques. Is it better to do an MBA or MS after engineering?
Ans. Combining an engineering degree with management will give you the advantage of dual specialisation and career advancement opportunities. You will become a valuable asset for the company with both technical and managerial skills. At the same time, if you wish to specialise in a specific field such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, etc. applying for a MS degree is preferable.