10 Best MBA Concentrations for High-Paying Salary Potential

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) can make you more marketable as a managerial candidate in multiple industries. A strong MBA program refines your management skills and prepares you to take on an array of upper-level responsibilities. You’ll also hone your leadership and people skills while learning the intricacies of owning or managing a business.¹

Each program offers different MBA concentrations that set the stage for your future career. Having an MBA increases your chances of successfully managing multiple aspects of business, and you can pick the one that best fits your skills and personality. Choosing the best Online MBA concentration for your career goals can set you up for higher job satisfaction and a higher salary.

In 2024:²

• MBA graduates had a projected mean starting salary of $120,000
• Roughly 25% of companies planned to hire more MBAs over the next year
• The global share of MBA employers was expected to increase

Understanding Different Types of MBA Concentrations

Different MBA concentrations prepare you to specialize in specific areas of business. You still get the well-rounded MBA curriculum that helps you succeed in any management position, but you also get in-depth skills that align with your career goals. For example, if you’re a talented wordsmith, you might consider an MBA with a marketing focus. If numbers really light your fire, you might want to get an MBA with a concentration in finance and analytics. Each of these MBA concentrations offers the same base curriculum with electives and other classes tailored to your chosen concentration.

Santa Clara University’s Online MBA program, offered by the Leavey School of Business, allows you to choose concentrations in the following areas:

• Finance: Develop skills that help you manage financial securities and apply these principles in the corporate landscape
• Marketing: Develop expertise in developing, managing, and marketing products or services in multiple industries
• Leading Innovative Organizations: Learn to adapt organizational systems in rapidly changing markets
• Data Science and Business Analytics: Learn to develop and apply analytical and data skills to evaluate business patterns and drive informed decisions
• Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation: Develop essential skills for turning ideas into businesses or applying entrepreneurial ideas to existing businesses

Why the Right MBA Focus Matters

An MBA focus gives you highly targeted knowledge, so you graduate with more expertise in your desired specialty than candidates with general MBAs. This helps make your resume stand out among the competition.

An MBA concentration demonstrates in-depth knowledge of your chosen focus, such as finance, marketing, or entrepreneurship. Including detailed coursework and case studies on your resume shows potential employers that you understand how to apply this familiarity to real-world business challenges. You also get the chance to network with professionals in your chosen field and supplement your program’s curriculum through internships, mentorships, and other hands-on opportunities.

The demand for specialists is also increasing, so an MBA concentration holds particular value. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), over the next five years, employers will be prioritizing leadership tools, innovation, AI, and technology skills.³

What Are the Best MBA Concentrations for a Higher Salary? 

How can you enhance your earning potential? With so many MBA concentrations available, it’s important to know which ones are likely to pay off over time. The highest-paying MBA concentrations—that is, concentrations in areas that promise to be the most lucrative—set you up for financially rewarding opportunities in high-demand fields. The top 10 highest-paying MBA concentrations are as follows.

Management

An executive leadership or management concentration will prepare you for C-suite-level jobs such as chief executive officer (CEO) or chief financial officer (CFO). In 2023, the average CEO salary in the United States was $258,900.⁴

Finance

An MBA in Finance program teaches in-depth skills related to data analytics, financial management, and other tools for managing your company’s money. This specialty has an average starting salary of over $200,000 per year.⁵

Marketing

Marketing is one of the top MBA concentrations for many industries. With this MBA, you learn how to position your products and services in front of potential customers to inspire them to choose you over the competition, and to find your target customers in the right places. The average salary for a marketing director is $120,162.⁶

Entrepreneurship

If you want to nurture your own ideas, consider an MBA in entrepreneurship. This program instills essential skills for starting and growing a business. On average, entrepreneurs make $127,462 annually, but you have the potential to make more with a great idea and the expertise to make it a success.⁷

Information Technology

With technology rapidly evolving, information technology (IT) is in demand.⁸ Learn how to structure IT networks, secure them, and manage your company’s IT infrastructure. Jobs in this industry offer an average annual salary of $164,070.⁹

Information Security

Also known as an MBA in Cybersecurity, this concentration prepares you for the challenges of protecting and managing company data. On average, the starting salary for positions available to people with an MBA in this concentration is $98,350, but you can earn more in high-paying industries and high-paying regions.¹⁰

Human Resources

If you’re a people person, an MBA in Human Resources may be for you. You can learn all aspects of recruiting, hiring, and managing people. The average annual salary for positions requiring the skills of this MBA concentration is $140,030.¹¹

Healthcare Management

For those who want to work in medicine but may not want to be involved in patient care, an MBA in Healthcare Management is a great option. You learn how to manage operations and develop strategies that lead to better patient care. The average starting salary for this field is $117,690 per year.¹²

Real Estate

Managing real estate development companies is complex and requires knowledge of finance, investment management, and development, among other skills. An MBA in Real Estate combines these topics with a traditional business management curriculum, so you can make strategic real estate decisions for your business. The average starting salary for this industry is $141,351.¹³

International Business

Modern business is global. In most industries, you will work with clients, vendors, and partners from all over the world. An MBA in International Business helps you manage these relationships and operate on a global scale. The average starting salary for this MBA ranges from $70,000–$120,000 per year, depending on your industry and location.¹⁴

How to Choose the Best MBA Concentration for You

Before committing to an MBA concentration, complete a self-evaluation. List your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and overall career goals. Use resources such as the GMAC or Career Explorer to assess your interests and skills. Make a list of concentrations that match your best skills and interests. Then, research salary guides to evaluate your potential career trajectory and see average salaries based on job titles. Consider your desired program format, such as on-campus, online, hybrid, or an in-person Executive MBA. Finally, look into admissions requirements for programs that offer your chosen concentration.

Build Top Skills in an In-Demand MBA Concentration

With five in-demand Master of Business Administration concentrations to choose from, Santa Clara University’s Online MBA program delivers a leading curriculum taught by experts from innovative businesses in Silicon Valley. Pursue your SCU Online MBA with a concentration in data science and business analytics, leading innovative organizations, marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship and new venture creation. Thrive in innovative organizations in nearby Silicon Valley and around the globe. Learn more about our faculty of accomplished business leaders, and explore the networking opportunities exclusively available to online students at SCU.

To get started, schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.