Question

Topic: Career/Training

Roi Of Non-mba Marketing Degree

Posted by Anonymous on 6/17/2012 at 9:43 PM ET 125 Points
Hi all,

I'm looking at potential graduate marketing programs ( i.e. MS in Marketing, MSIMC etc) and am curious as to its ultimate return. I'm a college senior with internship experience at an integrated firm and would be looking at entering a program right after I finish my studies. My reasoning is that I would like to be a more competitive applicant in the market and offer a little more credentials to attract, and reinforce credibility with, potential clients.

I realize that a young professional would not necessarily need these credentials, however, I know I will eventually want one. I believe it would be easier to go to a one year program while I am still a student than to attend an MBA program part time or between positions at some point in the future. It would be ideal to pursue an MBA, but due to my lack of experience, it wouldn't be an option currently.
Is my line of reasoning sound and would pursuing a graduate degree for the reasons outlined be a prudent decision?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 6/18/2012 at 10:43 AM Member
    The choice really needs to be yours—I know that sounds obvious, but it's true. No one here can really know what's best for you.

    Why do you think an MBA will make you "a more competitive applicant"? Why do you think paper credentials attract more than actual experience? How will having an MBA reinforce your credibility?

    Although you might ultimately want an MBA, how will you having this qualification benefit your clients or an employer?

  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 6/18/2012 at 5:53 PM Accepted
    I agree with Gary's comments and questions. Also, if having an MBA will make you more emotional confident, that might be a "prudent" reason. Again, you will have to know yourself, your desires and then test your emotions with rational thinking, perhaps feedback from others in your life.

    Lastly, have you found that a MBA is a requirement for positions you would like to hold. For example, you probably would be an MBA to teach at the college level.

    Hope this helps and good luck,

    Steve
  • Posted on 6/18/2012 at 6:44 PM Moderator
    Of course a Masters Degree will make you more competitive, but it's going to be difficult to actually measure the ROI or to ever know if you've recovered your investment (versus just proceeding with your undergraduate degree).

    I don't, however, follow your logic about wanting an MS in Marketing or an MSIMC instead of an MBA. MBAs are the accepted credential in most of the business/marketing world. Everything else is seen as a second-choice substitute. (I'm not saying this is right; only that it's what the world THINKS is right.) If you're going to commit the time, money and emotional energy to getting a Masters Degree, I think your greatest ROI would be from an MBA.

    All that said, I'll reiterate what others have said: You know yourself best. If a non-MBA feels best for you, then it's probably the right decision. What WE think should not be a factor in your decision.
  • Posted on 6/18/2012 at 6:48 PM Member
    I would rec. a masters degree in marketing, the market needs more post graduate students. It will have the best ROI on your investment. Graduate students will on average make 1.2 million more in their lifetime now.
  • Posted on 6/18/2012 at 6:55 PM Moderator
    prmarketingfirm: Be careful with those averages. If the average longevity for adults today is 81.4 years, I'll bet that less than 5% of people die at age 81.4. Almost half die younger.

    So when you're calculating the average lifetime earnings of graduate students versus non-graduate students, I suspect the actual degree is not the major factor. For example, it's possible that smarter, more aggressive people choose to get a masters degree. Those people might make and average of $1.5 million over a lifetime without the masters degree, just because they are more aggressive and smarter than the rest of the population.

    The causal inference, or assumption, is probably not the operative factor here.
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