MPA vs MBA: Salary, Career Outcomes and Key Differences

You’re interested in a career in management and have earned your bachelor’s degree — what’s next?

If you want to be prepared for high-level management, then you should earn your master’s degree. Not only will a master’s provide you with the skills and experience to excel as a leader or manager, it will give you a competitive advantage in the job market, especially when seeking a more advanced position.

Which master’s degree you pursue will depend on what kind of career you’re interested in. For example, would you prefer a high-level career in the private sector or to work in either the public or nonprofit sector? Depending on your answer, you’ll want to earn either a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Public Administration (MPA).

While they’re designed to focus on different areas and fields, both degrees provide training in organizational management and can lead to fulfilling and lucrative careers. Which could be better for you and your career? Keep reading for a closer look at the similarities and differences between the MBA and MPA degrees.

What Is an MPA?

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a graduate degree meant to prepare you for leadership or management roles in public service, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. MPA programs emphasize skills helpful in addressing societal challenges, creating impactful policies and managing resources efficiently.

General Degree Admission Requirements

• MPA programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution for admission. This includes official academic transcripts.
• Typically, programs require two to three letters of recommendation, often from academic or professional references.
• Some programs require GRE/GMAT test scores, while others may waive them based on work experience or academic performance.
• While not always mandatory, many programs prefer professional experience in public service or related fields.
• Most programs expect a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Average Duration of MPA Programs:

• Full-time programs usually take one and a half to two years, allowing students to immerse themselves fully in the coursework.
• Part-time programs are designed for working professionals and take between two to four years to complete, depending on the pace of study.

Skills Taught in an MPA Program

• Leadership and Management: Training in leading teams, organizations and projects within public and nonprofit sectors
• Public Policy Analysis and Implementation: Learning to evaluate, create and apply policies that address public needs
• Budgeting and Financial Management: Mastering the allocation of resources, fiscal planning and overseeing public funds
• Strategic Planning and Decision-Making: Gaining skills to plan and execute long-term organizational strategies
• Ethics and Professional Integrity: Emphasis on ethical decision-making and maintaining transparency and accountability in public roles
• Data Analysis and Research Methods: Utilizing quantitative and qualitative tools to analyze trends and assess programs
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Training in effective communication with stakeholders, the public and teams
• Conflict Resolution and Negotiation: Learning strategies to mediate disputes and foster collaboration among diverse groups

Example Areas of Emphasis:

• Public Policy Analysis: Focus on crafting, assessing and improving government policies
• Nonprofit Management: Training on how to lead nonprofit organizations, with skills in fundraising, volunteer management and advocacy
• Urban and Regional Planning: Addressing challenges in city development, housing and infrastructure
• Environmental Policy: Developing strategies to manage natural resources and combat climate change
• Healthcare Administration: Overseeing healthcare systems and policies to improve public health outcomes
• Public Financial Management: Specializing in managing budgets, revenues and expenditures in public agencies

What Is an MBA?

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate degree designed to equip professionals with advanced skills in business, management and leadership. It prepares you for high-level roles in the private sector, often at for-profit organizations, by providing a strong foundation in core business concepts and offering opportunities to specialize in specific industries or functions.

General Degree Admission Requirements:

• MBA programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution for admission. This includes official academic transcripts.
• Typically, programs require two to three letters of recommendation, often from academic or professional references.
• Some programs require GRE/GMAT test scores, while others may waive them based on work experience or academic performance.
• While not always mandatory, some programs may require between two to four years of work experience.
• Most programs expect a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Average Duration of MBA Programs:

• Full-time programs can be completed in one to two years, which is ideal for students who can dedicate themselves to full-time study.
• Part-time or Executive MBA (EMBA) programs are designed for working professionals, typically taking two to four years to complete.
• Accelerated programs are designed to be completed in about one year, often with intensive coursework.
• Online MBAs offer flexible scheduling and can take between one and a half to three years to complete, depending on the pace of study.

Skills Taught in an MBA Program

• Leadership and Team Management: Training in how to lead diverse teams and motivate employees toward achieving organizational goals
• Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making: Learning to make informed, data-driven decisions that align with long-term business objectives
• Financial Analysis and Budgeting: Gaining proficiency in evaluating financial statements, managing budgets and assessing investments
• Marketing and Market Analysis: Understanding consumer behavior, brand strategy and running data-driven marketing campaigns
• Operations Management: Learning to optimize processes, improve efficiency and oversee supply chains
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Developing analytical skills to address complex business challenges
• Effective Communication and Presentation: Enhancing skills for presenting ideas clearly and influencing stakeholders
• Networking and Relationship Building: Building connections with peers, mentors and industry leaders to advance career opportunities

Example Areas of Emphasis

• Finance: Focus on investment strategies, risk management and corporate finance
• Marketing: Training in market research, advertising and digital marketing strategies
• Entrepreneurship: Guidance on how to launch and manage startups or innovate within existing organizations
• International Business: Gaining expertise in global markets, cross-cultural communication and international trade
• Operations and Supply Chain Management: Specializing in logistics, process improvement and supply chain optimization
• Human Resources Management: Focusing on employee relations, talent acquisition and organizational development
• Technology Management: Overseeing the alignment of technology with business goals, including making informed decisions on product, project and IT strategy
• Healthcare Management: Managing healthcare systems, with a focus on efficiency, innovation and patient care

What Are the Similarities Between an MPA and an MBA?

Although MPA and MBA programs will train you for different sectors of employment, they are similar in a few ways. You can expect to learn many of the same leadership and management skills under very similar conditions.

General Curriculum

• Leadership and Management Training: A focus on developing leadership and management skills applicable to their respective sectors
• Strategic Planning: An emphasis on strategic decision-making and planning as a way to guide organizations effectively
• Budgeting and Financial Management: Courses in financial analysis and budgeting, though the focus may differ (public sector for MPA, private sector for MBA)
• Ethics and Professional Integrity: Training and instruction on ethical practices and maintaining integrity in leadership roles
• Data Analysis and Research Skills: Instruction on some level of data analysis, research methods and how to use data for decision-making
• Communication Skills: Training in effective communication, presentation and interpersonal skills for working with teams and stakeholders
• Problem-solving and Critical Thinking: Courses and curriculum intended to help you develop problem-solving abilities and critical thinking for tackling complex issues
• Project and Operations Management: A review of the many aspects of managing projects and optimizing operations.
• Capstone Projects/Practical Applications: A capstone project or hands-on experience to apply learned concepts in real-world scenarios

Environment

• Time to Completion: Both programs, on a full-time schedule, take between one and a half to two years to complete. Schools may also offer an accelerated degree program that can be completed in a shorter period of time.
• Online or On Campus: Both MBA and MPA programs may be offered online, providing greater flexibility to students.
• Networking Opportunities: Both programs provide opportunities to work alongside peers and mentors to build professional networks and to connect with industry leaders and alumni.

What Are the Differences Between an MPA and an MBA?

Though they have some similarities, the MPA and MBA degrees are not equivalent. Understanding these differences can help guide you toward the right career path.

Coursework Focus

• The MPA curriculum focuses on public policy, governance and nonprofit management.

  Example courses include public administration, public finance management, grant writing, policy analysis, urban planning, ethics in public service and community-focused leadership.

  Specializations can be in local government management, public policy analysis, nonprofit management and public finance.

• The MBA program curriculum focuses on business operations, corporate strategy and management, with an emphasis on profit planning, organizational behavior and competitive market strategies.

  Example courses include finance, marketing, operations management, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship.

  Specializations can be in marketing, finance, health administration, accounting and entrepreneurship.

Required Prior Experience

• MPA programs may require or prefer candidates with some experience in public service, government or nonprofit sectors, though programs may accept students with less experience. Some programs are more flexible with this requirement, especially for those transitioning from private into public service roles.
• MBA programs often expect candidates to have at least a couple years of professional work experience, often in corporate or business environments. This can include prior experience in management, leadership or specific business functions. This isn’t true for all programs, though; for example. Marshall’s MBA program does not require prior work experience.

Work Environments

• Graduates of MPA programs work in government agencies — either federal, state or local — as well as for nonprofit organizations, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and policy think tanks. They may take on roles such as public policy analysts, city managers, nonprofit directors, or public sector consultants.
• Graduates of MBA programs work in a wide variety of business settings, including corporate offices, tech start-ups, financial institutions, consulting firms and multinational enterprises. They work in a variety of roles, including business development managers, marketing directors, operations managers, financial analysts and executive leaders.

Possible Career Paths for MPA Students

The MPA program is ideal for individuals seeking a career that blends leadership with a commitment to serving the public and addressing societal challenges through strategic decision-making and impactful policies. While there are many possible career paths, these four popular job titles provide examples of what you can expect for required skills and salary.

Possible Career Paths for MBA Students

The MBA program is ideal for individuals aiming for leadership roles in diverse industries, providing them with the tools to navigate complex business environments, drive innovation and make strategic decisions. There are many different careers you can qualify for with an MBA; consider these four popular choices as examples of what to expect for required skills and salary.

*Salary estimates were sourced from Glassdoor in November 2024. Expect salary ranges to vary based on factors such as industry, location and your level of experience.