MBA vs. Master of Finance: An Overview

Those looking to get into a career in finance often are encouraged to continue their studies by earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA). An MBA offers a broad curriculum in finance, markets, accounting, entrepreneurship, and management.

But a more focused alternative that is becoming increasingly popular is a master's degree in finance—also known as Master of Finance, Master's in Finance, or MF. Choosing which of these programs best suits a prospective student may be challenging, but both programs offer the potential for high-paying career opportunities. 

What is the difference between these programs? The MBA equips graduates with a broader skill set and knowledge base composed of multiple aspects of business. An MF program, on the other hand, is much more finance specific. The applicant's career goals will largely determine which type of program he or she chooses.

Key Takeaways

  • Graduates of both MBA and MF programs can expect a quality education that will further their careers.
  • An MBA offers more flexibility in terms of curriculum and the ability to take classes part-time.
  • MBA programs are becoming more crowded, while business schools are becoming more competitive.
  • An MF is a good alternative for students seeking a finance-specific career while devoting only one year to earning their degree.

MBA

Earning an MBA can be an important step in climbing the corporate ladder. MBA coursework involves a broad spectrum of business-related topics including accounting, statistics, economics, communications, management, and entrepreneurship. MBA programs prepare students to work for financial institutions such as banks, government agencies and nonprofits, start-ups, and other established companies in many fields. Applicants are generally expected to have good undergraduate GPAs and receive an adequate score on the GMAT exam.

There are two routes one can take in earning an MBA: a full-time or a part-time program. Although both result in an MBA, there is a trade-off: A full-time student will not make much money for the 18 to 36 months that he or she is in school. These programs are the most popular, therefore, with younger folks who have recently earned their bachelor's degrees and can afford to study full time on campus.

Part-time MBA programs typically come in two flavors. The Executive MBA (EMBA) is designed for students who have been in the workforce for some time in executive or leadership roles. On average, they are 38 years old. These programs can be very expensive; usually, employers pick up the tab. The other part-time MBA is geared to employees who work full time, but are not yet in leadership positions. These students take classes after work, in the evenings, or on weekends in an effort to enhance their careers.

Master of Finance

For students looking to focus specifically on finance or closely related fields, the MF degree may be appropriate. MF programs zero in on finance in a comprehensive manner, with courses in financial theory, mathematics, quantitative finance, investments, markets, financial reporting and analysis, and valuation. These programs do not typically require any previous work experience, so students tend to be younger than their MBA counterparts.

MF programs tend to be shorter, taking up just one year of full-time study. They are also becoming increasingly popular.

While the MBA prepares students to work in a variety of fields, the MF trains its graduates to enter fields such as trading, investments, or risk management. MF graduates can expect to earn lower salaries than MBAs since the latter usually have some relevant work experience already under their belts and acquire a broader range of skills. But as more universities offer MBA programs, the field is becoming a bit more crowded, and people are seeking alternatives.