Executive MBA vs. MBA: What’s Best for Working Professionals?

If you aspire to be successful in the business world, you’re probably considering advancing your education at a prestigious business school. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the obvious career path for many,¹ but would an executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) be a better option? To make an informed decision, you should familiarize yourself with the differences between these two respected business degrees.

Keep reading to compare EMBA vs. MBA, their unique features, and minimum admission requirements to help you decide which one is the best fit for your busy lifestyle.

Navigating the MBA Landscape

Professionals are increasingly applying to MBA programs in response to a cooling job market and economic instability.² Nowhere is this surge more prominent than for part-time and online MBAs, where the flexibility of the programs appeals to working professionals. In fact, two-thirds of people considering an MBA prefer online or hybrid courses over the traditional on-campus format.³

For working professionals, the deciding factor between picking EMBA vs. MBA is how well the program will fit into their daily routines without disrupting their full-time jobs. But beyond schedule flexibility, there are several trade-offs between the two types of programs that you should consider.

What Is an Executive MBA Program?

An EMBA is a degree program meant for senior managers and corporate executives already in the workforce.⁴ Unlike the traditional full-time MBA, an EMBA allows you to earn your degree while you continue to hold your existing job, learn alongside experienced peers, and apply new skills immediately at work.

Key features of an EMBA include the following:

• Attending a mix of weekend, evening, and online classes, workshops, and tutorials
• A curriculum focused on teaching current business leaders how to be more effective rather than preparing them to enter a management career
• Students who are typically senior professionals with extensive experience in their respective fields

Is an EMBA More Prestigious Than an MBA?

The concept of prestige is often subjective and depends on several factors. For example, in the eyes of some employers, an EMBA degree demonstrates high commitment and drive. It takes determination for a student to balance a full-time job in a senior position, family life, and MBA studies—all in the name of perfecting managerial skills. In turn, an employer may view an EMBA as a sign of advanced leadership potential.

In contrast, a traditional full-time MBA typically attracts students in their early- to mid-careers who aim to move into management or executive roles.⁵ Because the candidate may lack the extensive experience of those in the EMBA program, the prestige of the MBA may depend more on the business school's reputation in the view of potential employers.

Understanding the Difference Between MBA and Executive MBA Programs

When comparing EMBAs to MBAs, many assume the EMBA is a superior version of its better-known counterpart, the MBA. In reality, the two are very similar in terms of value to the employer, content, and prestige. But the EMBA and MBA serve different career aspirations, require different commitment levels, and are delivered in different formats.

Admissions Criteria

Since an EMBA targets working professionals with extensive experience, EMBA admission teams prioritize professional experience over academic background. On average, you’ll need a professional work experience of 15.1 years to enroll in an EMBA program.⁶ With such experience, it’s assumed you have already obtained a certain level of business knowledge over your career. So, most EMBA programs won’t require an entrance exam.

Most full-time MBAs require an average of four years and two months of work experience.⁷ However, a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is usually a part of the standard MBA admission requirement.⁷

Tuition Fees and Financial Investment

The tuition fee for a full-time MBA and an EMBA varies depending on the school and the location of the program. The cost of pursuing a full-time MBA program can start at less than $16,000 and exceed $200,000 for top-ranked schools.⁸ An executive MBA, on the other hand, can cost between $60,000 and $200,000.⁹ Whether you choose an MBA or an EMBA, you can expect to pay more at a top school.

Program Duration and Flexibility

One of the clearest distinctions between a regular MBA and an EMBA is the program delivery format. A full-time MBA often requires you to leave the workforce and attend classes during the day. It typically takes two years to complete. If you attend part-time, it might take you more than two years.¹⁰

An EMBA offers the flexibility to attend classes in the evening and on the weekend while maintaining a full-time job. Since its curriculum skips long internships and the additional elective courses found in regular MBAs, you can complete an EMBA in 18–24 months.¹¹

Compared to EMBA and full-time programs, an online MBA offers the maximum flexibility since its coursework is asynchronous.¹² You can customize your learning pace and attend classes from anywhere.

Career Advancement

Often, an MBA can help your career if you’re looking to transition into managerial, leadership, or strategic roles. You might want to move to product management, general management, finance, marketing, or consulting. The focus is usually on securing a new position post-MBA.

The motivation for pursuing an EMBA can vary. While an EMBA can help you change careers or secure a new job, it's common for EMBA graduates to advance to C-suite or high-level roles instead of jumping into a new career.

Keep Your Day Job and Advance Your Career with an Online MBA

A traditional MBA and an EMBA are both high-level qualifications in business management. The key distinctions are the delivery format and the students’ level of professional advancement. Traditional MBAs are suitable for full-time students, while EMBAs are geared toward working professionals in management roles.

The Online MBA program at Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business offers a blend of flexibility and rigorous academic training. Build advanced business management skills with a curriculum created by our faculty of accomplished business leaders.

Since you can access your coursework through a digital interface, you won’t need to attend classes at a fixed time. Instead, you can engage with your lectures, assignments, and readings whenever it’s convenient for you. Such high flexibility makes our online MBA a viable option for working professionals who don’t want to step away from their jobs.

Contact an admissions outreach advisor today to learn more about how our online program can help you pursue an MBA without derailing your career progression.