So, you’re thinking of pursuing an MBA degree. Great choice! An MBA degree is an investment with a high ROI. It refines your soft skills and allows you to make important connections in the business world.

Since MBA concentrations are becoming increasingly popular, you can also broaden your core MBA curriculum with more specialized knowledge. If you want help deciding which concentration is right, read on! We have rounded up the top MBA concentrations currently available:

MBA in Accounting

Do you have an analytical mind? Do numbers fascinate you? If so, an MBA in Accounting is the perfect option.

What You’ll Learn?

This concentration will teach you to assess financial statements, perform auditing procedures, and understand financial markets. You’ll also learn about the following:

• Tax laws
• Auditing standards
• Accounting principles
• Financial statement analysis

What are the Career Opportunities?

An MBA in Accounting can open doors to a variety of jobs. You could become an auditor, financial advisor, tax specialist, or chief financial officer.

Moreover, you may be eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. The highest form of professional certification can open many doors in accounting.

What’s the Growth Potential?

The growth is promising too. According to BLS, the growth rate for MBA accounting professionals is expected to grow by 7% in the next few years. And 2021 reports claim that senior accountants are some of the highest-paid professionals in the country, taking $70,080 as their median annual salary.

MBA in Finance

Trading and investing are complex activities that require deep knowledge and understanding of the financial markets. An MBA in Finance can give you those skills and much more.

What You’ll Learn?

This concentration will help you understand the financial markets and how they operate. You’ll develop key skills such as:

• Financial analysis
• Investment strategies
• Business valuation
• Risk management

What are the Career Opportunities?

You could become a financial analyst, portfolio manager, or investment banker. Some of the highest-paying finance jobs include hedge fund manager, financial advisor, and mergers & acquisition analyst.

What’s the Growth Potential?

According to Glassdoor, an MBA Finance professional can expect a median salary of $88,497 in the United States. In terms of growth, the demand for finance professionals is increasing due to the demand for financial services in the business world. Therefore, job prospects are quite promising too.

MBA in Marketing

All the born-leaders with a knack for persuasion should consider an MBA in Marketing. A creative and analytical concentration will help you hone the skills necessary for various marketing roles.

What You’ll Learn?

This concentration focuses on the principles and strategies of marketing. It covers topics such as:

• Brand Management
• Digital Marketing
• Marketing Research
• Consumer Behavior

You will also learn about market segmentation, pricing strategies, and marketing communication. An MBA in marketing teaches you how to make a brand (product or service) stand out in a crowded market.

What are the Career Opportunities?

The opportunities for MBA in Marketing professionals are virtually limitless. You could become a brand manager, digital marketer, product manager, or marketing director. Among the most sought-after skill sets in marketing are data analysis, copywriting, and SEO.

What’s the Growth Potential?

As per the US BLS, there will be about 31,800 jobs in the field between 2020 and 2030. These could be in advertising, market research, and public relations businesses. Professionals in this domain have an annual salary range between $56,816 to $78,493.

MBA in Entrepreneurship

If you’re creative and ambitious, an MBA in Entrepreneurship could be the ticket to your success.

What You’ll Learn?

If you’re wondering what the coursework looks like, here’s a glimpse into the main topics:

• Strategy & Planning
• Business Model Design
• Marketing & Sales
• Fundraising & Investment
• Financial Strategies & Analysis

What are the Career Opportunities?

There is great potential for individuals with an MBA in Entrepreneurship. It means that you will mentor aspiring entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses. You could start your own business or take up a role at venture capital firms. If you have the right skills and experience, you could even become an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at a startup accelerator.

What’s the Growth Potential?

The growth potential for entrepreneurship professionals is tremendous. The average salary of these professionals is an impressive $204,213 annually, accompanied by a generous bonus of $65,000 and profit sharing of up to $42,500. An MBA in entrepreneurship is among the top five postgraduate courses offering the most growth potential over the next decade.

MBA in Information Technology

Technology has truly changed how we live and work, from robotics in healthcare to AI-driven transportation networks. That’s why an MBA in Information Technology is a great investment.

What You’ll Learn?

The coursework for this concentration includes topics such as:

• Data Analysis & Business Intelligence
• Information Security & Risk Management
• Project Management & Analysis
• Software Development & Design

You will develop an in-depth understanding of how technology impacts business operations. For instance, you will learn how to identify new opportunities, develop software tools, and help companies stay secure in the digital age.

What are the Career Opportunities?

The IT industry is one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the US. Professionals with an MBA in Information Technology can work as Chief Information Officers, IT Service Managers, or Business Analysts. For freelancers, there is a great demand for those who offer expertise in software design, web development, and data analytics.

What’s the Growth Potential?

As per US BLS, the demand for IT professionals is expected to grow by 8% in the next decade. The average yearly salary for a master’s degree holder in Information Technology in the USA is an impressive 89,063 USD.

Final Thoughts

You can choose any of the abovementioned concentrations depending on your interests and goals. But this is a partial list; there are other concentrations like Supply Chain Management, International Business, and Human Resources. An MBA in any concentration is a great way to advance the career ladder.

Remember that an MBA is a huge commitment of time and resources. Weigh all options carefully and decide to make the most out of your degree.