With 33% of employers hiring workers with master’s degrees for positions that had previously been held by those with four-year degrees, it’s clear that well-educated and well-trained professionals are in higher demand than ever before. This is particularly true for business management and leadership careers, where advanced management skills are critical to success. Given this competitive landscape, graduate management degrees are a great way to obtain valuable skills and prepare for a wide range of career opportunities. Two degrees that are particularly well-suited to current or aspiring managers are the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Management (MiM). Both degrees are rooted in management, but the key difference is that they are designed for different types of business professionals at different stages in their careers. An MBA or MiM is also a great way to expand your future earning potential. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, individuals with a master’s degree in business administration or management earn just over 50% more than individuals with only a bachelor’s in the same area. Self-reported data from Payscale reports that the average salaries of MBA and MiM graduates is:
In this article, we’ll help you understand which degree will be most likely to support your career success — whether you’ve recently earned your bachelor’s degree or you’re an experienced professional seeking to advance into management. Specifically, we’ll discuss key differentiators of these degrees, such as:
MBA vs. MiM: Core Differences
| MBA | MiM | |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites |
|
|
| Curriculum Focus |
|
|
| Time Commitment | 2-3 years | As little as 1 year |
| Cost | Higher cost | Lower cost |
| Career Level & Industry Scope | Leadership or specialized roles in a broad range of industries | Junior roles across multiple industries |
| Job Roles |
|
|
| Salary Potential | $99,000 | $83,000 |
MBA vs. MiM: Ideal Student, Curriculum and Structure
Ideal MBA and MiM Students
Typically, MBAs are geared toward mid- to high-level professionals, while MiM degrees are often sought by early career professionals or recent college graduates. As such, the prerequisites can differ between these two types of programs. MBA candidates hold a bachelor’s degree. Students typically have several years of work experience (exact amount can vary). MiM candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, and are not required to have any work experience.
Emphasis and Curriculum
MBAs and MiMs offer curriculums with distinct focuses that are tailored to the needs of professionals at different career stages. MiM programs will typically focus on foundational management skills such as:
- Leadership, management and delegation
- Communication
- Strategic and critical thinking
- Organization and time management
- Basic finance and accounting
On the other hand, MBA programs will provide a curriculum that covers advanced leadership and business knowledge, specifically targeted to business managers and leaders. MBAs may provide education in similar areas to MiMs, but the MBA will go deeper into individual business functions and other advanced speciality areas. Some skills that MBA students learn include:
- Strategic management
- Organizational behavior
- Marketing
- Data-based decision making
- Operations management
- Advanced accounting, finance and economics
This highlights the type of student who would benefit most from each program. MiM’s enable early-career professionals to gain valuable foundational knowledge, while MBAs allow mid- and senior-level professionals to develop advanced skills and knowledge in more specialized domains.
Structure and Cost
MBA and MiM degrees can also differ in terms of structure and format, including time commitment and total credit hours required to graduate. The difference in credit requirements also affects the total cost of the programs.
Time Commitment and Credit Hours
MBA programs offer a more comprehensive curriculum with a greater number of courses, providing in-depth knowledge and training. While most MBA programs take 2–3 years to complete, MiM programs offer a faster path, often taking as little as one year to complete. The time commitment varies by program, with some requiring more hands-on assignments or live class participation. The time commitment of these programs are mostly a result of their average credit hour requirements. MBA programs are designed to provide an in-depth education, covering a wide range of business disciplines. As a result, they typically require more credit hours to complete. On the other hand, MiM programs offer a focused, efficient pathway to quickly gain the knowledge and experience to launch a business management career. At the George Washington University School of Business, for example, the Online MBA program requires 46.5 credit hours, while the MiM program requires 33 credit hours to graduate.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees vary greatly from institution to institution. While MBA programs may have higher costs compared to MiM programs, they offer a wealth of added value. The investment in an MBA is often reflective of the program's extensive curriculum, which provides deeper, more specialized learning. MBA programs also have built-in career advancement opportunities, such as networking events, internship opportunities and real-world consulting projects — fostering meaningful connections that can open doors. Overall, investing in an MBA is a great way to see long-term career growth and salary increases: Poets & Quants reports that MBA graduates may earn a seven-figure income over a post-MBA career.
At the GW School of Business, all admitted Online MBA and online MiM students eligible for a guaranteed scholarship of up to $29,000.
MBA vs. Master in Management: Career Outcomes and Salary Potential
Careers and salaries after graduation can be highly rewarding, with both MBA and MiM programs offering unique pathways to success. MBA graduates will be prepared for high-level management and leadership roles, and MiM graduates are primed to launch their management careers. Some potential roles and median annual salaries are listed in the following tables.
Master in Management (MiM) Potential Jobs
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Business Analyst | $93,600 |
| Associate Consultant | $85,400 |
| Human Resources Generalist | $63,600 |
| Project Manager | $105,300 |
| Marketing Manager | $90,000 |
Source: Lightcast
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Potential Jobs
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Managers | $135,551 |
| Financial Managers | $154,999 |
| Management Consultant | $87,900 |
| Marketing Director | $135,00 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $98,833 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $109,757 |
Source: Lightcast
Which Program Is Right for Me?
With the right program, any individual can position themself for career success. But which program is right for each individual depends on a range of factors, including your career goals, work experience, interests and learning preferences. The program you choose you be based on your goals, so be sure to consider the following carefully:
- Level of experience: For many candidates, their experience level is an important factor in choosing the right program. If you have a bachelor’s degree but minimal or no work experience, an MiM program is a better fit for you. For professionals with more work experience and existing foundational business knowledge, an MBA is a better fit.
- Career goals: It is important for candidates to consider where they hope to be in their careers and how well-aligned each program is to those ends. To progress into high-level leadership positions, an MBA will be vital. For those seeking to quickly advance into management roles and start out their careers with foundational business knowledge, an MiM might be a better fit.
- Additional factors: For each candidate, the more specific factors that play into which program is right can vary. Make sure to consider costs, how much time you are able to commit to a program and what your learning interests are.
Prepare to Lead With GW’s MBA or MS in Management
Advance your career with the GW School of Business’s Online Master of Business Administration or online Master of Science in Management. Our expert-led blend of live discussion, real-world case studies and multimedia learning will help you develop the strategic thinking skills and global perspective needed for leadership. We believe in supporting our students through their academic journeys: every student accepted into our summer and fall 2025 online graduate programs will receive an automatic tuition scholarship.
Learn more by requesting a brochure, or start your application today!
In addition to its online offerings, the GW School of Business also provides in-person programs for both the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Management. Since 1928, GW School of Business students have leveraged our global presence to pursue practical, insightful expertise in the world of business from an enviable vantage point. One of the most diverse cities in the United States, D.C. is home to leading organizations in the health care, hospitality, media, government, defense and technology sectors. Our faculty are thought leaders and educators in these areas and more, and they’re ready to provide you with the business and management expertise you need to succeed.