The top 10 MBA concentrations and how to choose one
Key takeaways
- Most MBA concentrations lead to careers with expected salaries in the six-figure range.
- MBA concentrations can help further your career prospects with specific coursework and training.
- Your concentration may help you network with others on the same career paths in your industry.
While an MBA degree helps you enter or expand a career in business, the best MBA concentrations allow you to specialize, preparing you to take on leadership roles and more demanding projects. Concentrations function like undergraduate majors and can increase career preparedness, your MBA’s return on investment and overall workplace value.
10 best MBA concentrations
The best MBA concentration for you ultimately depends on the type of career you’d like to pursue after graduation. However, there are specializations that, on average, yield higher salaries and have a greater workplace demand.
Use these popular MBA concentrations (in no particular order) as a springboard when starting your research. While many universities offer additional specializations, not every school will offer each one.
1. Management
Students seeking leadership positions should consider a management specialization. This degree focuses on skills that can help you use resources and teammates effectively to maximize organizational productivity. Students gain competencies in communication, decision-making, delegation and problem-solving.
Average annual base salary for MBA grads with this concentration: $92,000, according to Payscale (as of 2025)
Common careers: Project management and marketing management
2. Entrepreneurship
An MBA in entrepreneurship builds concrete skills in business planning and management. With this degree, you’ll learn to navigate global markets and position companies for financial success by building strong teams. Graduates may work for large corporations or find leadership roles at nonprofits and government organizations.
Average annual salary: $110,000
Common careers: Senior project managers, executive directors and chief executive officers
3. Finance
An MBA in finance allows you to specialize in areas such as investment banking and corporate budgeting. This degree program also offers courses in corporate restructuring and international markets, giving you the skills you need to make financial decisions for a department or company as a whole.
Average annual salary: $107,000
Common careers: Senior financial analysts, chief financial officers and finance directors
4. Marketing
One of the most popular focus areas, an MBA in marketing teaches advertising and marketing research. With this degree, you’ll learn how to build effective marketing campaigns locally and globally. You’ll also gain leadership skills to build marketing teams and lead marketing departments within a corporation.
Average annual salary: $99,000
Common careers: Marketing directors and managers, vice presidents of marketing and marketing specialists
5. Information technology
An MBA in information technology combines courses in computer science with management skills. Students learn how to manage teams working on simultaneous projects and develop best practices for data analytics and business intelligence. Important skills include communication, data management and project management.
Average annual salary: $119,000
Common careers: IT managers and directors, chief information officers and senior analysts
6. Information security
Students enrolled in an MBA in information security learn how to manage information technology teams or departments. Information security specialists become responsible for securing a company’s proprietary information and data.
Average annual salary: $91,000
Common careers: Cybersecurity analysts, information security managers or compliance specialists
7. Human resources
An MBA in human resources (HR) allows you to gain competencies in common business practices, such as problem-solving and decision-making. Graduates are prepared to lead HR departments. Students learn to solve company disputes for workers while maintaining the policies put in place by management.
Average annual salary: $76,000
Common careers: HR managers, HR directors and vice presidents of human resources
8. Healthcare management
Most professionals need an MBA in healthcare management to access administrative roles in the healthcare industry. In this program, you’ll learn how to coordinate healthcare services for patients at hospitals and clinics, manage healthcare professionals across disciplines and interact with patients.
Average annual salary: $80,000
Common careers: Business operation managers, chief strategy officers and practice administrators
9. Real estate
In this program, students take courses in property law and market analysis. You’ll learn where and when to develop property, the key tenets of property management and resale as well as how to invest in real estate.
Average annual salary: $106,000
Common careers: Real estate development managers, real estate analysts, vice presidents of real estate acquisitions and asset managers
10. International business
Students enrolled in an MBA in international business learn the ins and outs of foreign markets and foreign consumers. If you pursue this concentration, you’ll earn skills in market analysis and global economics in order to direct the global aspirations of corporations and nonprofits.
Average annual salary: $100,000
Common careers: Project managers, chief executive officers, business development directors and directors of operation
Is it better to get a specialized MBA or general MBA?
General MBAs offer a broad spectrum of knowledge, allowing graduates to pursue careers in many different business fields. Students learn the general principles of leadership and communication, allowing them to find management positions in the private and public sectors.
However, general MBAs don’t offer in-depth, practical knowledge of specific areas of business. If you’re seeking a specific career, such as chief financial officer or healthcare administrator, you should pursue a specialized MBA in finance or healthcare administration.
A specialized MBA will give you concrete skills in your area of interest, providing higher levels of expertise and more practical knowledge of your field. It may also be useful if you already have a career and are looking to expand your skill set.
How to choose the best MBA concentration
When deciding where you’d like to specialize, your interests, career goals and business schools should factor into your decision.
- Consider your interests and passions. MBA specializations focus your studies in one area and often lead to careers in the same area of expertise. Choose a concentration that aligns with your passions and interests.
- Determine your career goals. If it helps, start by focusing on the end of your journey — the career you’d like to hold down the line. Choosing the right degree program can help lead you to career success.
- Research business schools. While many colleges offer MBA programs, the strength of specialized programs will differ. Always research prospective MBA programs for the courses offered, their accreditation, the experience of the professors and networking opportunities. You might also discover new concentrations offered at only a handful of schools.
Bottom line
The cost of an MBA can be high. And yes, different MBA concentrations can lead to varying postgraduate salaries. But it isn’t just about dollars and cents. By specializing in what you’re most interested in — and what overlaps most with your career goals — you’ll choose the best MBA concentration possible.
Frequently asked questions about MBA concentrations
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