Executive MBA vs. MBA: What’s Right For You?

When considering a master’s degree in business, you may find yourself wondering what the difference is between an executive MBA vs. MBA. There are some things you may want to know before deciding which degree makes more sense for you. While both degrees will allow you to hone the skills you need to succeed in business, they are each designed for slightly different scenarios.

As a prospective student seeking a graduate degree in business, we will answer, “What is an executive MBA?” and look at the differences between an EMBA vs. MBA.

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What is an MBA?

An MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. It’s typically a two-year program that may take three to four years to complete if a student chooses to enroll part-time.

In most instances, students have to take a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) to apply.

An MBA program generally consists of full-time immersion, meaning that most students won’t be able to hold a job at the same time.

However, at the University of the People, our MBA program doesn’t require the GMAT, and since it takes place entirely online, students can also have jobs. We’ll talk more about this option later.

What is an Executive MBA (EMBA)?

An executive MBA is an Executive Master of Business Administration, which is also a two-year program. In most instances, those applying to EMBAs have at least five or more years of experience in management positions. As such, the average age of EMBA students is around 38 years old.

EMBA students will cover the same material that students in an MBA program do, but it will be at a faster pace. This is because the program is designed so that its students can still have full-time jobs, so the courses are typically offered at night and over the weekend.

How is an EMBA Different Than an MBA?

As you can likely already see, an executive MBA has its fair share of differences from a regular MBA.

Let’s take a look.

Curriculum

Full-time MBA students and EMBA students will fulfill the same amount of credit hours. MBA programs often consist of internships, but EMBA programs don’t because students are typically already experienced in the workforce.

Within an MBA program, students learn how to think strategically, evaluate markets, set business goals, boost their communication and leadership skills, and enhance their ability to work collaboratively with others. EMBAs are highly focused on leadership skills, international connectivity, personal skill development, and applied learning.

Format

MBA programs run weekly throughout semesters. There is a summer break between the first and second years.

EMBA programs are typically held at night and/or over the weekend because they are designed for working professionals.

Cost

The cost for both types of programs is comparable. According to MBA Today, the tuition cost of an MBA program ranges between $55,727 to $161,810. The tuition costs for the top EMBA programs are often higher than that of a traditional MBA. In the US, an EMBA costs around 160,000 USD, on average.

According to Poets and Quants, the average cost of the top twenty-five American business schools was $199,544.

However, MBA students may need to pay to live where they attend school. On the other hand, since EMBA students are also working professionals, they usually will choose to attend a program in the same city as their residence, so they are already paying for the cost of living.

Requirements

Both programs ask for a student’s GMAT scores and proof of an undergraduate degree. They’ll typically also ask for letters of recommendation or references from professors or employers within the application. Some schools will conduct interviews and/or require a personal statement. 

How to Choose Between the Two

The choice of earning your EMBA vs. MBA will come down to a few factors. For starters, you’ll want to consider your goals. If you’ve already been working in business and have managerial experience, then it will make more sense to earn an executive MBA. At this point, you’ll also be able to keep your job if you wish and attend class at night or on the weekends.

Of course, you can also always select to enroll in online learning instead, which will offer you more flexibility in terms of your work schedule.

For prospective students who are not yet employed or are just beginning to gain work experience, an MBA will provide them with the information they need to excel in their careers. An MBA teaches a host of hard and soft skills that will help any graduate to expand their career prospects and earning potential.

Another big factor when considering which program to choose is the cost of attendance. It could be the case that your current employer will help to subsidize or even fully cover the cost of an executive MBA. They do this because it serves as an investment in their employee’s professional development that will hopefully end up benefiting the company as their workforce will be even more highly skilled and educated.

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Earning Your MBA Online

It could be the case that you are starting out in your professional career or have just earned your undergraduate degree. You may not yet have enough work experience for an EMBA, but you may desire the same type of flexibility that comes along with an EMBA schedule.

Well, we have some good news! The University of the People offers an entirely online and tuition-free Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program. You can apply easily online without having taken the GMAT. All you’ll need is proof of your undergraduate degree completion, a minimum of two years of work experience, a reference from an employer or professor, and have English proficiency.

The Bottom Line

Comparing an executive MBA vs. a regular MBA, we might find few similarities in terms of the knowledge these degrees impart, but for the most part, they are different programs. An EMBA is typically held at night and on weekends for its students who are holding down full-time jobs. MBAs are full-time and immersive graduate degrees that will generally require at least two years of work experience, but no more than that to apply.

For students who seek to earn their MBA online, check out the curriculum at the University of the People, where you can apply at your own convenience.