Choosing to go back to school for a master’s degree is a big decision. Prospective students need to consider what field they want to explore in grad school and how studies will apply to professional pursuits. Weighing the costs and benefits of earning an advanced degree and determining the potential return on investing in school are also essential for making an informed choice about continuing education.
For those interested in graduate-level business education, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree model is the proverbial gold standard. However, MBA programs can be prohibitively expensive. To address this, quality institutions such as Florida Institute of Technology offer online MBA programs, balancing rigorous academic content with affordability and the flexible scheduling options today’s working professionals need. Plus, prospective students can choose from one of Florida Tech’s 12 MBA specializations to tailor their education to best support their professional aspirations.
What Can You Do With a Master of Business Administration? MBA Job Outlook
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), business was the most popular field of graduate-level study in the U.S. during the 2021-2022 academic year. In fact, business was the most common field of graduate study from 2011 through 2022 by an increasing margin — a trend which will likely continue. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reports that the vast majority of graduate-level business students in the U.S. prefer MBA programs over other business master’s degrees.
Major factors driving the popularity of MBA programs are the advanced job preparation, respected qualification, increased earning potential and level of job versatility the degree can provide. Employers recognize an MBA degree as an asset and demonstration of how well a candidate will perform on the job. MBA programs — especially affordable options — have a reputation for their high return on investment. They are also popular due to their widespread application: Mastering the fundamentals of business is an asset in a variety of fields. Here are a few of the career paths MBA students can pursue.
Accounting Careers for MBA Graduates
Accounting is one of the bedrocks of business education. Businesses can’t survive without professionals that can prepare, present and analyze accounting records. Reporting must be timely and accurate so that other employees can make informed decisions regarding strategy and operations.
Earning private or public accounting certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential generally requires specialized education beyond a bachelor’s program. Florida Tech’s online MBA in accounting program provides this advanced education, preparing students to sit for the CPA exam and succeed in high-level accounting careers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were more than 1.56 million accountants and auditors in the U.S. in 2024, making a median annual salary of $81,680. BLS projects that employment of accountants will increase 6% from 2023 to 2033.
Finance Jobs for MBA Grads
Landing a job in finance is a common goal for business students, as the field tends to be lucrative and exciting. In particular, programs like Florida Tech’s online MBA in finance equip graduates to excel in competitive financial roles like financial analyst or chief financial officer.
Financial analysts make sure that an organization is managing its cash and investments properly. They also help guide companies to engage in projects that provide the best return on investment. BLS reports that financial analysts made a median annual salary of $101,910 in 2024, and should see 9% employment growth between 2023 and 2033.
The chief financial officer (CFO) is the executive-level finance position for an organization. These upper-leadership professionals oversee an organization’s finance operations, ensuring continued financial health and growth. BLS reports that chief executives, including CFOs, made a median annual salary of $206,420 in 2024 and will experience 5% job growth from 2023 to 2033.
Marketing Careers for Professionals With an MBA
Marketing, broadly stated, is the field accountable for promoting and selling products and services to consumers. Marketing methodology centers around the “four Ps” of product, price, promotion and place, as well as a fifth, unofficial P: people. Many different skill sets are useful in marketing: Some professionals focus on quantitative aspects, such as market research and pricing strategy, while other professionals take a more creative approach to qualitative measures.
The online MBA in marketing from Florida Tech provides in-depth coursework in strategic marketing, international business, consumer behavior and advanced market research. Combined with core MBA coursework in foundational business management areas, the specialized study of these subjects prepares students to be effective marketing managers, directors and executives. According to BLS, marketing managers made a median annual salary of $161,030 in 2024.
Information Technology and Cybersecurity Careers
Information technology (IT) and cybersecurity are popular areas of technical study outside of MBA programs, but combining these fields with advanced business management and project management MBA studies opens many doors to IT management and other advanced positions. Professionals with this expertise can help their organizations manage and protect the networks, hardware and data that companies rely on to drive decision-making and meet their customers’ wants and needs.
The job outlook for computer and information technology professionals is very positive, with three IT-related jobs ranking in the BLS’ list of the nation’s fastest growing occupations. In roles suited to IT-focused MBA grads, BLS reports that computer and information systems managers earned a median annual salary of $171,200 in 2024.
Pursuing Entrepreneurship Opportunities With an MBA
With the foundation provided by Florida Tech’s MBA curriculum, graduates have the knowledge and skills needed to explore starting their own businesses. Entrepreneurship requires vision, creativity, attention to details and an ability to see the big picture. When companies are small, the founder must be able to tap into everything students learn in an MBA program — accounting, finance, marketing and even IT.
Given this, a generalized MBA program with customizable elective options can be an excellent choice for aspiring entrepreneurs. As the organization grows, entrepreneurs must be able to collaborate and effectively delegate responsibilities, employing further management and leadership skills learned in a quality MBA. A business owner may become a president or chief executive officer of their growing company, potentially earning salaries on par with other chief executive roles such as CFO.
Prepare for Success With Florida Tech’s Online MBA Programs
These professions are just a sampling of the numerous occupations MBA graduates can pursue across industries. The highly transferable skills that MBA students develop give professionals a unique degree of career versatility and job role flexibility.
Florida Tech offers 100% online MBA programs in a variety of in-demand concentrations to provide the business acumen, leadership knowledge and concentrated skillset working professionals need. With advanced business management and field-specific competencies, graduates can enter the job market with a distinct competitive advantage, ready to pursue the career of their choice.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online MBA programs.
