The MBA concentration you choose can significantly shape both your career trajectory and long-term earning potential. According to Indeed, salaries across MBA-focused professions range from $64,130 to $162,908, a gap of nearly $100,000 depending on specialization. With such variation, selecting the right concentration is one of the most consequential decisions prospective MBA students can face.
A good way to secure a higher-paying position is to earn a specialized MBA. Through the University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC) online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, students can choose from a range of in-demand concentrations, from healthcare administration and project management to accounting analytics and human resources management. By taking advantage of the program’s online format, working professionals can study on a flexible schedule while maintaining a work-life balance.
Why Invest in a Specialized MBA?
MBA concentrations prepare students for upper-level roles that offer long-term career growth and earning potential. Unlike a general MBA’s broad foundation, a specialized concentration helps graduates develop expertise in a focused area of business.
Companies are willing to pay a premium for professionals with a highly specialized skill set. UNC’s industry-relevant MBA programs equip graduates with the skills they need to qualify for leadership roles in sectors where demand is high, giving them a competitive edge in their chosen field.
MBA Salary Comparison: Top Concentrations Ranked
Prospective MBA students should review salary ranges and industry data across specializations before choosing a concentration, so they can make an informed decision. Let’s explore how the highest-paying MBA concentrations compare.
Highest Earning Potential: Marketing MBA
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $159,660 in 2024, with faster-than-average job growth projected through 2034. This strong demand is driven by a continued need for professionals who can effectively craft compelling brand stories, analyze consumer behavior and drive sales — in every industry.
With its focus on services marketing, digital analytics and consumer psychology, UNC’s online MBA with a Concentration in Marketing prepares students for in-demand, high-paying positions. The curriculum helps students build expertise in marketing analytics and experience design while exploring how digital marketing transforms strategic initiatives. The program prepares graduates for roles like marketing manager, market research analyst and sales manager.
Fastest-Growing Industry: Healthcare Administration MBA
Medical and health services managers earned a strong median salary of $117,960 in 2024, per BLS. Job growth in the field is moving faster than in any other industry, with a 23% growth rate projected through 2034. This trend is being driven by a need for skilled professionals who can successfully manage operations within complex healthcare systems in an industry tasked with meeting the increasing needs of an aging population.
UNC’s online MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration program prepares graduates for in-demand leadership roles, including hospital administrator, healthcare executive and clinical director. The curriculum covers healthcare systems, finance and reimbursement models, and strategic management with courses taught by experienced practitioners, including a regional hospital CEO. Students can complete the program in 12 months with no GMAT required.
Premium Compensation in Financial Services: Finance MBA
Finance is another top-paying field with financial analysts earning a median annual salary of $101,910, according to BLS. An annual job growth rate of 6% is projected through 2034, as organizations increasingly seek professionals who can evaluate investment opportunities and manage financial risk.
UNC’s online MBA with a Concentration in Finance program prepares graduates for roles in multinational corporations, commercial banks and venture capital firms. Coursework covers financial analytics, entrepreneurial finance and investments, including topics aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam. Students develop expertise in financial modeling for investor pitches, portfolio management and risk-return analysis for corporate and financial investments.
Cross-Industry Versatility: Project Management MBA
Project management specialists earned a median annual salary of $100,750 in 2024, per BLS. Job growth in the field is projected at 6% per year through 2034. An MBA with a concentration in project management offers graduates exceptional career versatility, with 78,200 job openings projected per year across industries including construction, technology, healthcare and professional services. As organizations manage increasingly complex initiatives, demand continues to grow for professionals who can coordinate budgets, schedules and cross-functional teams.
UNC’s online MBA with a Concentration in Project Management program helps students develop strategic planning, financial analysis and leadership capabilities. The curriculum prepares students for both the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and Six Sigma Green Belt designation while covering project initiation, planning, execution and Lean Transformation methodologies. Graduates qualify for in-demand roles such as project manager, product manager and management analyst.
Maximum Career Flexibility: General MBA
A general MBA provides the broadest foundation, preparing graduates for leadership roles across sectors. Salaries for MBA graduates vary widely, with annual salaries ranging from $65,000 per year for accountants to $163,000 per year for Chief Financial Officers, according to Indeed. A general MBA suits professionals seeking the flexibility to work in a range of organizations and industries where they can apply expertise in areas such as finance, marketing, operations and management.
UNC’s online General MBA program enables students to tailor the program to their career aspirations.
In addition to honing core business skills, students get to choose from a wide range of elective options including healthcare, human resources, talent management, organizational change, digital marketing and supply chain management.
Advancing Your Career With an Online MBA From UNC
With industry-relevant coursework, no GMAT requirement and concentrations that align with today’s high-paying and fast-growing fields, UNC’s specialized online MBA programs position graduates to compete for roles that offer both financial reward and professional fulfillment. The program’s flexible, accelerated format enables students to earn their degree in as few as 12 months while maintaining their current employment.
Earning an MBA is a strategic investment, one that can unlock significant earning potential and open doors to leadership roles across industries. Whether you’re drawn to the creative challenges of marketing, dynamic positions in the high-growth healthcare industry or the analytical rigor of finance, UNC’s online MBA program offers specialized pathways designed to help you advance your career.
Learn more about UNC‘s online Master of Business Administration programs.
