What Can I Do with an MBA in Finance?

As with any graduate-level degree, there are potential benefits that can come from advancing your education, and the same is true for an MBA in Finance.

One of the most notable benefits of having an MBA in Finance, as we’ve already mentioned, is the opportunity to work in either the finance or business worlds, since many of the skills learned in this kind of program are applicable to both fields. For instance, someone with finance skills in the business world can help make more informed decisions regarding the financial health and future of a company. Conversely, a business professional in the finance world can use their organizational knowledge to help apply funds strategically throughout a company.

Another potential benefit is the potential to consider management-level or leadership roles. Depending on the company and the specific job description, a master’s degree like an MBA may help you meet the job requirements for roles requiring candidates to have a more advanced education or specialized degree.

Finally, earning your MBA could affect your future earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who hold a master's-level degree typically have greater earning potential, in general, than those who hold a bachelor’s degree, and experience lower rates of unemployment.

Because an MBA in Finance incorporates both business and finance courses into a single program, it can open up a variety of career options for graduates. The following are just a few of the job opportunities you might be able to consider pursuing with this kind of degree:

• Business manager: A business manager is in charge of managing the day-to-day operations of a department. They are typically concerned with leading staff, and for helping set up financial objectives for their department. 
• General manager: General managers lead a team of people. They may work to oversee hiring, scheduling and help improve employee performance while managing goals and budgets. 
• Investment fundamentals and security analysis: Investment fundamentals and security analysis professionals help a company or client understand the inner workings of investments and securities. 
• Financial analyst: Financial analysts review a company’s finances and help identify potential investment opportunities. They also make recommendations on how investments or finances might be improved. 
• Store manager: Store managers oversee the day-to-day processes at retail locations. They work to complete directives from their corporate offices while maintaining a high level of oversight in their store. Store managers are typically responsible for hiring, implementing and enforcing store policies, procurement and tracking budgets. 

Keep in mind that job titles are not standardized across industries. You may find that you meet the application requirements for a particular job with one employer and not another.

While there is no definitive answer to this question, the career that interests you the most is likely going to be the best choice for you. Having a genuine interest in your work can help make you more excited to learn on the job and may help reduce stress and encourage you to perform better at work.

We recommend looking for a position that you find interesting, and that can help you work toward where you want to go in your future. Getting some on-the-job experience might help you make a decision as to whether or not your career choice is the right fit for you and your goals.

Depending on the university, earning an MBA in Finance can take about two years for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree. It's worth noting that the amount of time it takes to earn your degree varies based on the number of transfer credits you might have and whether you choose to enroll on a full- or part-time schedule. At DeVry, you can earn your MBA with a Specialization in Finance in as little as 2 years + 8 months*—or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits.

*Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.