<p>.. which is not provided by an undergraduate business degree?</p>
<p>It seems like there is a consensus that an undergrad business degree is not as desirable as the MBA, but why is that? Aren't the two curricula similar in many ways?</p>
<p>And is there a point in getting an MBA if you already have, let's say, a finance degree?</p>
<p>I talked to my dad, who has a BS in Econ, about why he didn’t get an MBA, and if he would now, almost 30 years after college.</p>
<p>Why Not: Didn’t feel like staying in college any longer.
Would You Now: No, because salary increase wouldn’t warrant the cost at this point in his career.</p>
<p>Don’t know if that helps. He makes 6 figures :D</p>
<p>^When your dad was in college it was common to go directly from UG into an MBA program. Now, it is not at all and avg work experience is probably about five years at, at least, the top 10 MBA programs. Of course, it wouldn’t warrant the cost of the MBA for someone in their 50’s to go back to school but it certainly can for someone 25-28, which is ~80% of applicants.</p>
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<p>It really depends on your career goals and what your prior work experience is.</p>
<p>As gellino pointed out, the better MBA programs (including far beyond the top 10) expect you to have some “real” (i.e., full-time, post-baccalaureate) work experience before you come to work on your MBA. In my view, there are two good reasons for that. The first is that they want people who can bring real experience to bear in class conversations. The second, which is important to you, is that after you’ve been in the workforce for a few years, you’ll have a far superior understanding of what you want to do professionally and whether an MBA will help you achieve that. </p>
<p>So, go get your undergrad in business, econ, finance, accounting, or whatever area you want, get an interesting job (preferably one that will reimburse tuition for grad work), and then in 5 years or so, take a look at the MBA world.</p>
<p>A friend of mine who went to Stanford MBA said it was the most expensive job placement program he ever used. It is purely used for marketing yourself.</p>
<p>^That can be the case for very intelligent people, who tend to use the MBA as a signaling mechanism, which is some times needed. By signaling I mean that it sends a message to potential employers not only what it is you are capable of because of education but what you are interested in, and what you are not (UG degree type work). This can be really important for those in corporate settings who, because of their UG degree, can be pigeon holed as a technical expert or SME.</p>
<p>To the OP: business is many things and varies across industries, for this reason an UG business degree prepares you for so many things, and at the same time nothing at all. Those who pursue other UG degrees and then find a niche or place in life but lacking sufficient business acumen and knowledge to advance tend to find themselves in an MBA program to not only serve as a signaling device but as a method of education on those things they may have gotten if they also had a business UG degree. I tend to think a MBA probably teaches a lot of what an UG degree in business would. Coupling that knowledge with a solid background or knowledge in another field makes it all the more valuable however, and is thus a good option for many people.</p>