Obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the best ways to enhance your prospects in business and show employers you're qualified to lead teams. An MBA program can help you develop the business acumen and leadership skills necessary to excel in any business environment and adapt to the challenges and responsibilities that come with high-level roles.
If you've considered going back to school to get an MBA, you've likely wondered what kinds of opportunities are available to MBA program graduates. Having an MBA can offer you an abundance of job opportunities that aren't available to those who hold only a business-related undergrad degree.
Highlights
- MBA-holders commonly move into roles like marketing manager, financial manager, management consultant, project manager, and business operations manager, with median U.S. salaries ranging from about $100,750 to $161,700 a year.
- The median starting salary for MBA graduates in the U.S. was $125,000 in 2025, up from $120,000 in 2024, according to the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey.
- PLNU offers six MBA pathways: the General MBA, the Early Career MBA, and four concentrations — Organizational Leadership, Project Management, Global Leadership, and Sport Management.
What Can You Do With an MBA?
Knowing the options available to you as an MBA grad can be encouraging when deciding whether to pursue your degree. There are a variety of influential positions, many of them managerial, that you can expect to be qualified for after obtaining an MBA. (It may even be the right step if you're planning on starting your own business!)
5 Jobs you can get with an MBA
Here are a few examples of jobs you can expect to land after completing your MBA program.
1. Marketing Manager
Median salary: $161,030 | Job outlook: 6% projected growth (2024–34)
Marketing managers are responsible for helping businesses effectively communicate to audiences, keeping loyal customers, and attracting new ones alike. Organizations need skillful marketing managers both when thriving and struggling, as marketing is a crucial 21st-century aspect of a business's growth.
2. Business Operations Manager
Median salary: $102,950 | Job outlook: about 4% projected growth (2024–34)
Business operations managers are responsible for fostering collaboration and coordination between an organization’s departments to achieve their goals. Ops Managers are vital to an organization's ability to be efficient, effective, and successful.
3. Management Consultant
Median salary: $101,190 | Job outlook: 9% projected growth (2024–34)
Management consultants (classified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as Management Analysts) help organizations find solutions to their problems and navigate to greater success. Most consultants work on a contractual basis, either for a consulting firm or independently.
4. Project Manager
Median salary: $100,750 | Job outlook: 6% projected growth (2024–34)
Project managers oversee the daily operations of a project from start to finish. This might include assigning tasks, tracking progress, making and establishing policies, and more. PMs also play an important role in crafting long-term business plans.
5. Financial Manager
Median salary: $161,700 | Job outlook: 15% projected growth (2024–34)
Financial managers are responsible for ensuring an organization has a secure fiscal future. They oversee investment strategies and prepare reports on business activity for executive-level decision-making, and often supervise financial analysts to ensure accuracy.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | $161,030 | 6% |
| Business Operations Manager | $102,950 | ~4% |
| Management Consultant | $101,190 | 9% |
| Project Manager | $100,750 | 6% |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 | 15% |
__________
Become who are you called to be.
Pursue your purpose at PLNU.
__________
Demand and Salaries for MBA Graduates
Before taking the leap and applying for an MBA program, you should know what kind of demand and salary you can expect in the job market after graduating. According to the 2025 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, the projected median starting salary for MBA graduates in the U.S. rose to $125,000 in 2025, up from $120,000 the year before.
Employer demand for MBA talent also remains strong across industries. In the same survey, the large majority of technology and consulting employers said they planned to hire MBA graduates, and more than a third of employers overall expected to increase their MBA hiring compared to the prior year.
Employers understand the added value of an MBA in your ability to lead and excel in a business environment and may pay a premium for those skills.
Top MBA Industries
MBA graduates work across nearly every industry. PLNU MBA alumni, for example, are employed at organizations spanning:
- Healthcare (Scripps Health, Sharp Healthcare)
- Technology and defense (Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, SAIC)
- Finance (Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, Bank of the West)
- Consulting and professional services (Booz Allen Hamilton, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Other MBA Jobs That Pay Well
Beyond the five roles above, an MBA can also prepare you for other well-paying leadership positions, including:
- Human Resources Manager | Median salary of $140,030, with 5% projected growth (2024–34)
- Sales Manager | Median salary of $138,060, with 5% projected growth (2024–34)
How to Earn Your MBA at PLNU
If you feel like you've reached a ceiling in your organization or career, an MBA can help you break through that barrier and ascend to a higher position. At Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU), the Fermanian School of Business offers six ways to earn your MBA, so you can choose the path that fits your experience level and goals:
- Master of Business Administration (General MBA): For experienced working professionals, completed in as little as 12 months.
- Early Career MBA: Ideal for rising professionals with fewer than three years of experience.
- MBA, Organizational Leadership: For students who want to develop the leadership qualities needed to step into roles such as CEO or other executive leadership.
- MBA, Project Management: For students interested in leading teams and managing projects from start to finish.
- MBA, Global Leadership: For students who want to build the cross-cultural and international business skills needed to lead in a global economy.
- MBA, Sport Management: For students who want to pursue leadership roles within the sports industry.
Neither the GMAT nor the GRE is required for admission to PLNU's MBA programs, and courses are offered with flexible online, evening, and high-flex formats designed for working professionals.
Take the Next Step
You already have the drive to lead, the discipline to manage a team, and the vision to grow a business; an MBA sharpens those strengths into the credentials that employers look for. Point Loma Nazarene University's MBA programs, offered in-person and online, can help you turn your ambition into a fulfilling career at the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with an MBA?
An MBA can qualify you for managerial and leadership roles across nearly every industry, including marketing manager, financial manager, management consultant, project manager, and business operations manager, among many others.
How much can I earn with an MBA?
The median starting salary for MBA graduates in the U.S. was $125,000 in 2025, according to the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, and specific roles like financial manager and marketing manager carry median salaries above $160,000, per BLS.
Does PLNU require the GMAT for its MBA program?
No. PLNU does not require GMAT or GRE scores for admission into its MBA programs.
What MBA concentrations does PLNU offer?
PLNU offers four MBA concentrations: Organizational Leadership, Project Management, Global Leadership, and Sport Management, in addition to the General MBA and Early Career MBA.