Key Highlights on the Differences Between BBA vs MBA Degrees
- A BBA degree is a four-year undergraduate degree focused on broad business education, while an MBA is a two-year graduate degree concentrating on business strategy.
- The choice between a BBA or MBA hinges largely on career level goals to enter business or reach upper management.
- MBAs allow specializing in a particular area of business like marketing or finance necessary for leadership roles.
- BBAs provide affordable access to practical business knowledge, while MBAs have advanced salaries due to specialized curriculum.
- If looking to start your own business or pursue entry-level business positions, a BBA’s broad overview of business principles and practices establishes a solid foundation.
- For reaching senior management, an MBA accelerates understanding of managing a successful business with advanced training in business decision-making.
BBA vs. MBA
Deciding between pursuing a BBA or MBA business degree is an important choice. While both prepare you for a career in the business sector, there are several key differences in program format, cost, careers outcomes and curriculum focus that set these business degrees apart.
Understanding these contrasts in academic approach, topics covered, specializations available, duration, investment and jobs outlook for each degree will provide the insights needed to determine if a broad-based bachelor’s or advanced master’s best aligns with your professional goals in business and management.
Comparing BBA vs MBA Degree
The BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) takes a wide-lens on foundational business concepts across approximately 120 credits and 4 years of undergraduate coursework.
The MBA (Master of Business Administration) delivers an in-depth examination of business strategy and leadership tactics in an accelerated graduate-level program averaging 2 years for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree.
BBA Program Fundamentals
- Prerequisites: A high school diploma is required to enroll in a Bachelor of Business Administration program. Some programs may require minimum GPAs and SAT/ACT test scores for admission.
- Course topics: BBA coursework provides an introduction to core business disciplines including management, accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, business law, economics, data analytics, and more. Students gain exposure to the fundamental concepts, theories, and practical applications in each area.
- Specializations: BBA students often concentrate in a particular business focus area to gain domain expertise. Common BBA specializations include accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, entrepreneurship, global business, and management information systems. Choosing a specialization allows tailoring the degree.
- Cost of a BBA Degree: The average cost of tuition and fees for a 4-year public BBA program is approximately $30,000 to $40,000. Private nonprofit colleges average $140,000 for a complete BBA. Obtaining an affordable quality BBA degree can set graduates on a solid career trajectory without burdensome student debt obligations.
I’ve expanded each section to provide more details on the key components of typical BBA degree programs. Please let me know if you need any part covered more thoroughly.
Pursuing an MBA Program
- Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree is required before applying to MBA programs
- Coursework: Advanced business strategy, leadership tactics, managerial decision-making, financial analysis, marketing management, operations excellence, human capital strategy.
- Concentrations: Tailor the MBA with elective courses in areas like marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, healthcare administration, business analytics, and more.
- Cost of an MBA Degree: The average all-in cost for a full-time top 25 MBA program exceeds $100,000. MBA programs at public universities cost $60,000-$80,000 while elite private schools are over $160,000 total. Scholarships can offset expenses.
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Career Opportunities and Salaries
The business degree you earn directly correlates to career options, advancement trajectory and earning potential over your professional life.
What Jobs Can You Get with a BBA Degree?
- Entry-level business roles: Business analyst, coordinator, assistant manager across functions like marketing, sales, HR, finance, operations
- Pathway degree to an MBA later in your career. A BBA establishes business acumen to prepare for a specialized MBA degree down the road.
What Jobs Can You Get with an MBA Degree?
- Management and leadership positions such as senior manager, director, VP, Chief Officer across departments like marketing, finance, operations, HR, accounting
- Higher positions often require an MBA to advance. An MBA provides the business strategy acumen, leadership abilities and management toolkit required for c-suite roles.
- Specialized roles tailored to MBA concentration like Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief HR Officer, etc.
What Is the Typical Salary Range for a BBA Degree?
- Starting Salaries: The average starting salary for new BBA graduates typically falls between $45,000 to $65,000 per year. Factors like geographic location, cost of living, industry, company size, and academic performance impact entry-level earnings.
- Mid-Career Earnings: Professionals with 5-10 years of experience and a BBA degree can expect to earn $65,000 to $100,000+ depending on role, responsibly, performing well and taking on leadership duties.
- Lifetime Earnings Potential: Over the entirety of a career, BBA graduates generally earn over $3 million in cumulative wages. Early investments in professional development boost long term earning power.
What Is the Typical Salary Range for an MBA Degree?
- Starting Salaries: New MBAs graduating from top programs average $115,000+ in starting compensation with classmates landing $85k to $175k roles in consulting, finance, tech and healthcare. Signing bonuses are common too.
- Mid-Career Executive Pay: MBAs with 4-8 years experience command $150k to $250k+ as marketing directors, finance VPs, operational leaders managing budgets, teams and driving organizational outcomes.
- C-Suite & Advanced Executive Salaries: Chief Officers, Partners and business heads with an MBA degree and specialized expertise earn in excess of $300,000 – $500,000 in industries like banking, biotech, hedge funds and enterprise tech as examples. Corporate boards also pay very well.
Key Differences BBA or MBA Business Degree
When evaluating a BBA or MBA, the key dimensions to compare include:
- Program duration: BBA four-year undergraduate degree vs. MBA two-year graduate degree
- Cost of each degree: BBA $30k-$40k vs. MBA $60k-$100k+
- Careers outlook: BBA entry-level positions in business vs. MBA management and leadership jobs
- Curriculum focus: BBA fundamentals of business vs. MBA advanced business strategy and principles
- Specializations available: Customize your business knowledge and skills
Carefully analyzing these aspects will clarify if a broad-based bachelor’s or specialized master’s better aligns with your professional aspirations to advance your career in the competitive business world.
The BBA allows affordable entry into business, while the MBA accelerates leadership career growth with higher lifetime earning power. Weighing your career goals, budget and targeted field of business will determine if a four-year or two-year advanced degree best fits your needs.
Choosing BBA vs MBA Degree in Business
When pursuing a career in business, deciding between a BBA and an MBA depends largely on your professional aspirations to advance into business management and leadership roles.
Key factors to weigh include:
- BBA provides broad knowledge of fundamental business principles
- MBA delivers specialized expertise in areas of business like international business, marketing, finance
- BBA takes four years to complete
- MBA typically takes two years to obtain
- Median annual earnings are higher for MBAs in managerial roles
A BBA establishes a foundation in business, while an MBA accelerates growth into influential leadership, strategy and executive positions for business professionals.
Evaluating your career goals in terms of desired field of business, salary objectives, and targeted job level will clarify if a BBA or MBA best fits your professional advancement in the industry. The choice impacts your trajectory in business management long-term.
100 Least Expensive and Best BBA Degrees
| Rank | University | State, City | Offered As | Levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University, Northridge | Northridge, CA | Campus, Full-Time, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University Pomona | Pomona, CA | 1-Year, Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 3 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | Odessa, TX | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 4 | Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville, NC | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 5 | Dalton State College | Dalton, GA | Campus, Full-Time | Undergraduate |
| 6 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 7 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 8 | California State University, Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 9 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 10 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City, UT | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 11 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 12 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | 1-Year, Campus, Full-Time, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 13 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Part-Time, Weekends | E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 14 | University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 15 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1-Year, Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Doctoral, E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 16 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 17 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, E-MBA, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 18 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 19 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 20 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 21 | University of West Georgia | Carrollton, GA | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 22 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 23 | California State University, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 24 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 25 | Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City, NC | Campus, Full-Time | Undergraduate |
| 26 | University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras | San Juan, PR | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Partnership | Doctoral, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 27 | Frostburg State University | Frostburg, MD | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 28 | California State University, East Bay | Hayward, CA | 1-Year, Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 29 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 30 | State University of New York at New Paltz | New Paltz, NY | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 31 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 32 | Indiana University Kokomo | Kokomo, IN | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 33 | California State University, Fresno | Fresno, CA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 34 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 35 | California State University, San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 36 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 37 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 38 | Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 39 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Durant, OK | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Partnership | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 40 | University of Houston-Downtown | Houston, TX | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 41 | Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 42 | Brooklyn College of the City University of New York | Brooklyn, NY | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master and Undergraduate |
| 43 | Baruch College-The City University of New York | New York, NY | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 44 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Kenosha, WI | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 44 | Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | Campus, Full-Time | E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 46 | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | 1-Year, Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 47 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | Campus, Full-Time, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 48 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 49 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 1-Year, Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 50 | University of Montana | Missoula, MT | 1-Year, Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Partnership | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 51 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | E-MBA, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 52 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 53 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 54 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 55 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney, NE | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 56 | Appalachian State University | Boone, NC | 1-Year, Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 57 | University of Arkansas at Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Undergraduate |
| 58 | Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA | Campus, Full-Time | E-MBA, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 59 | Indiana University South Bend | South Bend, IN | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 60 | Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | E-MBA, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 61 | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 62 | University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond, OK | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 63 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 64 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 65 | Missouri Western State University | St. Joseph, MO | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 66 | The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, TX | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 67 | University of Idaho | Moscow, ID | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | Master and Undergraduate |
| 68 | Boise State University | Boise, ID | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 69 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | E-MBA, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 70 | Winona State University | Winona, MN | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master and Undergraduate |
| 71 | New Mexico State University | Las Cruces, NM | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 72 | McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 73 | Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 74 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 75 | Texas Southern University | Houston, TX | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 76 | Truman State University | Kirksville, MO | Campus, Full-Time | Master and Undergraduate |
| 77 | Governors State University | University Park, IL | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 78 | State University of New York College at Brockport | Brockport, NY | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 79 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master and Undergraduate |
| 80 | State University of New York at Fredonia | Fredonia, NY | Campus, Full-Time | Undergraduate |
| 81 | State University of New York at Oswego | Oswego, NY | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 82 | State University of New York College at Oneonta | Oneonta, NY | Campus, Full-Time | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 83 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 84 | Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master and Undergraduate |
| 85 | State University of New York College at Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh, NY | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Master and Undergraduate |
| 86 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 87 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, MD | Campus, Full-Time | Undergraduate |
| 88 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 89 | Marshall University | Huntington, WV | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 90 | State University of New York at Geneseo | Geneseo, NY | Campus, Full-Time | Master and Undergraduate |
| 91 | Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 92 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | Campus, Distance Education, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Partnership | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 93 | Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | Campus, Evenings, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 94 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA | Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 95 | The University of Mississippi | Oxford, MS | 1-Year, Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 95 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE | Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Partnership, Weekends | E-MBA, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 97 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC | 1-Year, Campus, Distance Education, Evenings, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Weekends | Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
| 98 | Virginia State University | Petersburg, VA | Campus, Full-Time | MBA and Undergraduate |
| 99 | Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | Campus, Full-Time | Undergraduate |
| 100 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | Campus, Full-Time, Online | Doctoral, Master, MBA and Undergraduate |
25 Best BBA Degrees that Offer MBA Degree
FAQ: Key Differences Between BBA and MBA Business Degrees
What is the main difference between a BBA and an MBA degree?
A BBA is a four-year bachelor’s degree focused on fundamental business knowledge, while an MBA is a two-year master’s concentrating on advanced business topics like strategy, leadership, and specialized roles.
What business careers can you pursue with a BBA vs MBA?
BBA graduates often start in entry-level business positions, while MBA students earn degrees necessary for upper management jobs like marketing directors, finance VPs, or Chief Officers.
Why do MBA graduates earn higher salaries?
Many MBA programs focus directly on managing a successful business, allowing graduates to command higher salaries due to advanced understanding of business decision-making and strategy.
Is an MBA always better than a BBA degree?
The choice between BBA or MBA hinges on your career goals. A BBA provides accessible business education to start a career. An MBA accelerates leadership growth for those aiming at senior business roles.
What is the duration of a BBA vs an MBA?
A BBA typically takes 4 years of undergraduate business courses, while many MBA programs take just 2 years to complete for those with existing business knowledge.
Evaluating your professional aspirations, desired business focus, salary goals and timeline will determine if a broad BBA foundation or specialized MBA best fits your needs in the competitive business world.
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Jessa Cast is a professional freelance writer and editor whose experience includes several years of published magazine articles and two edited books, among other writing and editing projects. She is skilled in conducting research and interviewing subjects, copy and content editing, event planning, and using the Microsoft suite, as well as a variety of freelance business assistance offerings. She earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
