MBA vs PhD – Which is Better?

MBA vs. PhD – Every year college professors wince when they are inevitably asked the question which is better – an MBA or a PhD?

The reason for this is very simple – asking such a question assumes that the end result of earning an MBA or PhD will be the same outcome, when such is not the case.

MBA vs. PhD Comparison

First of all, let’s break down MBA’s and PhD’s.

An MBA is short for Master of Business Administration, while PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. Already we can see distinct differences between the two degrees, but let’s go ahead and continue.

In terms of time investment an MBA will generally require two years to complete, while a PhD will require anywhere from three to six years to complete, unless you enroll in an accelerated online PhD program.

An MBA student will study a wide range of subjects, each of which concentrates of a specific aspect of business, such as Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Finance, Leadership, Management, Ethics and Trading. A PhD candidate in Business might also study these subjects, but at the same time the candidate is also required to assist professors with teaching classes and overseeing labs and carrying out research related to their dissertation. If time invested is a primary concern then an MBA is clearly the way to go.

Earn Your MBA or PhD Online

As if the question of MBA vs. PhD wasn’t complicated enough, let’s throw online study into the mix. With the advent of the internet, high education as we know is undergoing a major transformation.

While it used to take 6 years and a lot of time on campus to earn your PhD, that is simply not the case anymore.

With accredited universities like Walden University offering dozens of online doctorate degrees, earning a PhD doesn’t seem so far out of reach anymore.

In addition, top ranked universities like Northeastern University are offering multiple MBA programs, and top colleges like Boston University are offering highly sought after degrees like a Master’s in Project Management.

Obviously, online learning isn’t for everyone, but many adult students (like me) prefer the flexibility online programs offer. I used to spend 2 hours a night commuting to a campus in a neighboring city… so, I will be the first to tell you that commuting to my home office is a tad bit easier, not to mention less stressful.

Online MBA Programs

For the sake of comparison, I am including Northeastern University, a top ranked university offering AACSB accredited MBA programs online and Boston University, a top notch research university offering a Master’s in Project Management online.

Northeastern University – Accelerated 5-Week Online Classes

Northeastern University is regionally accredited, the highest level of accreditation possible.

Accelerated degree programs: Northeastern University offers accredited 5-week online classes. With 5-week classes, you gain the benefit of speed and shave 11 weeks off of a traditional 16-week semester. Not too shabby.

• Northeastern University was established in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts
• Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
• Northeastern University is one of the top-ranking schools in the nation.
• Northeastern University ranked first in the “Best Internships/Career Services,” according to the Princeton Review.

Northeastern University Online Degree Programs

• Online MBA
• Online MBA – Finance
• Online MBA – Healthcare Management
• Online MBA – High Technology Management
• Online MBA – Innovation Entrepreneurship
• Online MBA – International Management
• Online MBA – Marketing
• Online MBA – Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Online Master of Science in Finance

Get a free program guide from Northeastern University Online.

Boston University – Online Master’s in Project Management

Boston University offers a Master of Science in Project Management online program that provides students with the unique opportunity to combine large scale business and management principles with effective project-based management strategies.

• Boston University was established in 1839 in Boston, Massachusetts
• Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
• Boston University is one of the top-ranked schools in the nation.
• Online Master’s in Project Management consists of 12 courses; course waivers can be provided for the PMP certification

Boston University Online Degree Programs

• Online Master’s in Project Management
  

Designed for business leaders, Boston University’s unique online program is accredited by the Global Accreditation Center for Project Management and consists of 12 courses that can be completed in 24 months. Course waivers can be provided for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Online PhD Degrees

By far, Capella University offers more accredited doctoral degrees online than any other university. With nearly 50 doctoral degrees in a wide-range of fields, you are bound to find a program that matches your goals and interests.

Capella University – 10-Week Online Classes

Capella University offers accelerated classes: 10 week online classes.

Capella University offers nearly 50 accredited online doctoral degrees in a wide-range of fields such as Business, Accounting, Education, Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Healthcare, Leadership, Nursing, and Public Health, among others.

Online PhD Programs are available in a wide-range of fields including:

• PhD – Accounting
• PhD – Counselor Education and Supervision
• PhD – Criminal Justice
• PhD – Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD – Educational Psychology
• PhD – Emergency Management
• PhD – General Advanced Studies in Human Behavior
• PhD – Business
• PhD – Human Services
• PhD – Information Technology
• PhD – Organization and Management
• PhD – Psychology
• PhD – Health Care Administration
• PhD – Human Resource Management
• PhD – Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PhD – Information Security
• PhD – Information Technology Management
• PhD – Information Technology Project Management
• PhD – Instructional Design for Online Learning
• PhD – IT Education
• PhD – K-12 Studies in Education
• PhD – Leadership
• PhD – Leadership for Higher Education
• PhD – Leadership in Educational Administration
• PhD – Management Education
• PhD – Nonprofit Management and Leadership
• PhD – Nursing Education
• PhD – Post-secondary and Adult Education
• PhD – Professional Studies in Education
• PhD – Project Management
• PhD – Public Safety Leadership
• PhD – Social and Community Services
• PhD – Special Education Leadership
• PhD – Training and Performance Improvement
• Doctor of Business Administration – Business Intelligence
• Doctor of Business Administration – Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Doctor of Business Administration – Strategy and Innovation
• Doctor of Health Administration – General Health Administration
• Doctor of Health Administration – Health Care Leadership
• Doctor of Health Administration – Health Policy and Advocacy
• Doctor of Public Administration- General Public Administration
• Doctor of Public Health – Epidemiology
• Doctor of Public Health – Health Advocacy and Leadership
• Doctor of Social Work – Social Work
• Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership and Management
• Doctor of Education – Reading and Literacy
• Education Specialist (EdS) – Curriculum and Instruction
• Education Specialist (EdS) – Leadership in Educational Administration

Read more or get a free program guide from Capella University.

MBA vs. PhD Career Outlook

Let’s continue with the analysis, specifically what happens once you’ve earned either an MBA or a PhD. An MBA is clearly a specialized graduate degree in Business, and as such an employee who has earned that degree is a very valuable resource for a company. Companies are all about leveraging employee strengths for the benefit of the company, and an MBA is not something that a company will overlook.

There will be promotions and raises and, if the graduate is ambitious, a fast track to becoming a senior executive. It’s not uncommon for someone graduating from Harvard with an MBA to start off earning $100,000 a year.

Compare that to a PhD – for roughly twice the time investment and who knows how much more effort a PhD graduate can start off as a professor earning just a little bit more, plus there is the added satisfaction at knowing they have achieved the highest academic honor available and will be able to pass on their knowledge and experience to thousands of students over the course of their career.

So which is better – PhD or MBA?

In the end the final answer depends on the student. If you are a person who enjoys pitting your wits against other people or the vagaries of the market, then an MBA might be the best choice. If you prefer the realms of research and study and thought and enjoy the chance to pass along knowledge and experience then a PhD might be the better choice. In the end, the question which is better should instead be which is better for me.