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Best Master's in Business and MBA Programs

Get the facts about business master's and MBA programs.

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by the numbers

By the Numbers

Business Master's &
MBA Programs

Master's MBA
Credits needed to graduate: 36 48
Number of specialization classes: 5 6
Number of general education classes: 4 6
Number of elective classes: 3 4
Hours in class per week: 7.5 7.5
Time until graduation (full-time): 1 year 2 years
Time until graduation (part-time): 3 years 4 years
Cost per class: $1,950 $1,950
Cost per program: $23,400 $31,200
Income of graduates: $55,000 $78,000

Note: All numbers are averages.
Sources: Data from schools listed on AllBusinessSchools.com, May 2007; PrincetonReview.com; Payscale.com

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What does a Master's in Business or MBA Program Entail?

A master's degree in business provides students with the management skills and tools essential to leadership positions in a variety of business fields and industries. The credentials and expertise earned during master's in business programs translate into both expanded career opportunities and increased earning potential.

MBA Degrees

One of the most popular advanced business degrees is the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which equips students with a broad set of business skills transferable to multiple arenas. Most MBA programs involve the study of core business school subjects, such as accounting, economics, finance, human resources, organizational design, marketing, operations, policy, quantitative methods and statistics.

Many students choose to pursue an MBA degree with a concentration in a particular area of business such as accounting, finance, human resources or marketing. Specialty MBA programs provide training in general management and business while also focusing specifically on the in-depth concepts, tools and applications surrounding the particular specialty area.

Master's in Business

Those looking to improve their expertise in one specific field may choose a business master's degree program in a specialized area like taxation, information technology or organizational leadership. These highly-specialized advanced degrees focus almost exclusively on issues related to the subject and prepare students to manage within that field.

The business master's degree you pursue depends on your career aspirations. Whether you want to gain broad management skills, focus on a particular industry, or start your own business, the program you select should suit your plans for the future.

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