Looking to take your career to the next level? Perhaps you’re wanting to pursue a higher-level management or similar leadership position, or maybe you’re even interested in starting your own business venture. Regardless of your specific career goals, an advanced degree could help you gain the foundational knowledge and skills that you need to succeed.
Two common graduate-level degrees that people pursue when they’re looking to gain a competitive edge in today’s job market are the master of business administration (MBA) and the master of public administration (MPA). With a better understanding of the differences of public administration vs. business administration and what you can do with each degree type, you can determine which option may be better for you.
Understanding the Fundamentals: MPA vs. MBA
So, what are the biggest differences between an MBA and MPA? The key differentiator is that an MBA is more focused on preparing students for management and leadership roles in the private sector. Meanwhile, an MPA aims to prepare students for public sector roles, such as those within government organizations and nonprofits.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
More specifically, an MPA degree is an advanced degree well-suited for professionals looking to lead government or nonprofit organizations, helping them grow and achieve their goals while working toward an overarching mission. An MPA program can help students learn how to:
- Analyze and apply academic theory, legal issues, and regulations to inform ethical practice and policy formation within public entities.
- Manage sector-specific functions, programs, and resources.
- Build professional communication skills to improve public outreach.
Typically, an MPA degree program can be completed in about two years, though this can vary depending on enrollment status and the specific number of credit hours required by the program itself.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
An MBA program, on the other hand, is a little more general in nature, focusing on the skills and expertise that professionals will need to work their way up the proverbial career ladder within the private sector. An MBA program may be an excellent choice for those interested in working in an upper-management or corporate management role, with the bulk of an MBA program focusing on such topics as:
- Using communication skills and cultural awareness in business interactions.
- Analyzing problems from a diverse perspective and coming up with effective solutions.
- Making important decisions at operational and strategic levels of a business.
Like an MPA, an MBA degree program can typically be completed in about two years, depending on enrollment status and other factors.
Career Paths: Where Each Degree Can Take You
Now that you have a better understanding of the key differences in public administration vs. business administration, you might be wondering how each type of degree could help you advance your own career.
Master of Public Administration (MPA) Careers
There’s a lot that you can do with an MPA, especially if you aspire to work in a leadership role within the public sector. Some examples of popular career options for MPA graduates include:
- Charity director
- Policy manager
- Social and community service managers
- Community health director
- Urban planning and development director
- Chief executive or chief financial officer
With an MPA degree, you may be well-suited for roles within nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and even non-governmental organizations that make a difference in their respective communities.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Careers
MBA graduates, on the other hand, tend to go on to work for the public/for-profit sector. Some examples of the types of roles for which you may qualify with an MBA include:
- Marketing manager
- Policy analyst
- Chief executive or financial officer
- Business operations manager
- Human resources manager
- Project manager
- Business intelligence analyst
As of 2024, the companies that hire the most MBAs include McKinsey & Co., Google, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Apple. However, it is also not uncommon for MBA graduates to go on and launch their own businesses.
MBA vs. MPA: Coursework
While there may be some overlap between the coursework of an MPA vs. an MBA program, you can expect some distinct differences between an MBA and MPA curriculums as well.
What You’ll Learn in an MBA
An MBA program aims to teach students the foundational skills and knowledge needed to manage and operate different aspects of a business. This includes an in-depth focus on such topics as finance, accounting, marketing, and budgeting.
Beyond the basics, an MBA program may also delve into more complex areas of business management and leadership, including:
- International business
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Business analytics
- Supply chain management
- Risk management
- Ethics and corporate social responsibility
Meanwhile, it is not uncommon for an MBA program to include some sort of capstone project. This is where students participate in projects that allow them to apply theoretical business concepts to real-world scenarios.
What You’ll Learn in an MPA
Like an MBA program, an MPA program will also focus on the basics of management and operations such as finance, accounting, and budgeting. Beyond this, an MPA aims to prepare students to be effective program leaders and organizational leaders through coursework on specific topics like:
- Public policy analysis
- Program evaluation
- Strategic planning and leadership
- Public personnel administration
- Community and economic development
- Governmental affairs
Like an MBA, an MPA program may also require students to complete a capstone project that allows them to gain practical experience and apply abstract concepts to the real world.
Key Considerations: Aligning Your Choice With Your Goals
As you can see, there are some notable similarities and differences between an MPA and MBA program, especially when it comes to program outcomes and potential career opportunities. Ultimately, the best way to determine which program may be right for you is to carefully consider your own interests, passions, salary expectations, and desired work-life balance as part of a self-assessment.
Interests and Passions
Start by taking some time to really think about your core interests. Are you passionate about social issues, policy change, and community impact? If so, then an MPA program that empowers you to make a difference on these fronts could pave the way to a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference. On the other hand, if you’re more drawn to things like business strategy, innovation, and market competition, then a dynamic MBA program may be better suited to your passions.
Salary Expectations
You’ll also want to think about the kind of salary you wish to earn and the lifestyle you want to be able to afford. Generally speaking, MBA graduates tend to have higher salaries than MPA graduates. However, this isn’t to say that MPA graduates can’t make respectable salaries while also enjoying fulfilling careers that lead to significant social impact.
MBA graduates in the United States can expect a median starting salary of $125,000, with significant variations depending on the industry and location. For example, those entering consulting roles often start with salaries around $150,000, which can exceed $190,000 at top firms like McKinsey and Bain.
On the other hand, MPA graduates generally have lower starting salaries compared to MBA graduates. In 2023, the average starting salary for MPA graduates is around $77,000, but this can vary widely based on the specific role and sector, with public sector roles typically paying less than private sector positions.
Work-Life Balance
How important is a healthy work-life balance to you? MBA careers often involve demanding roles that require long hours, extensive travel, or working overtime during busy periods. These factors can influence the work-life balance for individuals in these positions. Discussing the nature of these roles helps highlight how the responsibilities and expectations in various MBA careers might impact one’s ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The settings of MPA work can be demanding, too, with some roles requiring long hours to parallel a deep dedication to a specific mission. The sense of work-life balance professionals achieve can greatly depend on the sector and structure of the given organization; for instance, positions in academia or for nonprofits can sometimes prove more demanding with vastly varying schedules and expectations, whereas government agencies and the public sector may more strictly adhere to a standard 40-hour workweek.
Making Your Decision: A Personalized Approach
At the end of the day, only you can decide which type of advanced degree may be best-suited to your goals and passions. By taking the time to engage in self-reflection and conducting some informational interviews with professionals in both fields, you can get a better feel for which program you want to choose. Likewise, it can be helpful to carefully research specific MPA and MBA programs to choose the exact school and program that’s right for your lifestyle and career goals.
Pursue an Advanced Degree With JWU
While both an MBA and MPA focus on teaching students critical management, leadership, and business acumen skills, the key difference boils down to public versus private sector. If you’re more interested in working for a nonprofit or government organization, then an MPA may be right for you. On the other hand, if you prefer to work in the private sector or want to start your own business, then an MBA may better prepare you for these kinds of roles.
Regardless of which degree you end up pursuing, Johnson & Wales University has programs to suit your needs. Specifically, we offer an online MBA and an online Master’s in Public Administration. Both degree programs are designed to be completed in two years and are offered in collaboration with JWU’s College of Business and the John Hazen White College of Arts and Sciences.
For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].