Finance and Marketing are the top specializations preferred by students in India. With 100+ colleges providing MBA courses, the choice of specialization depends on a number of factors. Students with a creative flair and a passion for cross team communication, social media tools and related digital strategies may prefer an MBA in Marketing. An MBA in Marketing is a flexible, high earning and creative specialization with a profitable career plan.
MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance – which one is better? It is an interesting question to ask but the answer depends on a student’s personal interests and career goals. Finance is better for those who are good with numbers and analysis. On the other hand, Marketing is better for someone with creativity, a strategic mindset for building brands and understanding consumers.
An MBA in Finance deals with financial management, investments, and strategic planning. It concerns numbers, planning, risk management and so on. A Finance MBA is an ideal option for those who prefer a desk based reporting position with a high earning potential. The top colleges for both MBA in Marketing and MBA in Finance are the same set of highly ranked 21 IIMs, and top private colleges like SPJIMR Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, etc. Both have different types of roles and salaries.
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Difference Between MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance
Both the MBA in Marketing and an MBA in Finance help students build critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities which are highly in demand. But despite both the degrees being an MBA, their core specializations and other differences such as specific skills, subjects, etc are highlighted in the table below.
| Differences Between MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance | ||
| Particulars | MBA in Marketing | MBA in Finance |
| Core Difference | Brand Promotion | Management of Money |
| Skills Required | Strong analytical skills | Creativity and communication skills |
| Focus Areas | Customer needs, branding, sales strategies | Finances, investments, risk analysis, accounting & planning |
| Core Interests | Creativity & Communication | Numbers & Analytics |
| Subjects | Market Research, Brand Management, Digital Marketing, etc | Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Portfolio Management, etc. |
| Job Roles | Brand Manager, Marketing Manager, etc | Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, and more |
| Work Pattern | Field work/cross-department collaboration. | Desk based with reporting. |
MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance: Which is in Demand?
Both the MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance are in demand. It depends on the student and their career goals to choose one out of the two. Currently, skills in the technology and data domain are in demand. Students who pursue MBA in Marketing are in demand the same as students who study an MBA in Finance. Both degrees have strong prospects in specialized fields like Digital Marketing and FinTech.
- The finance sector is the No. 1 industry which is always in demand.
- MBA in Finance graduates shall see the expansion of the finance industry with 10 million+ jobs by 2030.
- Finance roles offer high starting salaries and new profiles like AI-driven credit scoring, blockchain, ESG investment, etc.
- Marketing is a dynamic field always in demand especially with the rise of social media platforms.
- MBA in Marketing is in demand in industries like E-commerce, Technology & SaaS, FMCG, etc.
- Digital Marketing is a fast growing industry with a 32.1% CAGR projection by 2028.
MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance Fees
The top colleges for pursuing an MBA degree in India are IIM Ahmedabad, FMS Delhi, IIM Calcutta, IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, and JBIMS. Typically, management colleges with a good global and national level ranking offer a high ROI in return of the fee invested for education. Check the table below to know the annual fee charges at top private and government management colleges offering MBA in Marketing as well as Finance.
| Fee Structure for the Best MBA in Marketing and Finance Colleges | |
| Annual Fee Range | Number of Colleges |
| ₹< 1 Lakh | 5 |
| ₹1-2 Lakh | 7 |
| ₹2-3 Lakh | 4 |
| ₹3-5 Lakh | 4 |
| ₹>5 Lakh | 59 |
MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance Admission Requirements
Admission to both MBA in Marketing and MBA in Finance is based on entrance tests to determine basic math, verbal and analytical skills. Students interested in enrolling for the Finance or Marketing MBA programmes at top government or private MBA colleges in India must know the entry requirements. There are a total 21 IIMs in India accepting admission for their MBA in Marketing or MBA in Finance courses.
- Entry is through national level entrance tests such as CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
- Other entrance tests which are accepted at top management colleges or B-schools include ATMA, IIFT, GRE, etc.
- Basic criteria for eligibility includes completion of graduation from a recognized university or institute with at least 50% marks.
MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance Syllabus
The syllabus for MBA in Marketing and MBA in Finance are different. MBA in Marketing Year 1 common subjects are 90% similar to MBA in Finance Year 1 common subjects. The only difference between the two branches of MBA for the common subjects is that MBA in Marketing has Management Fundamentals subject while MBA in Finance comprises Finance Fundamentals for first year management students. Specialization subjects in Year 2 are different for both MBA in Marketing and MBA in Finance.
| Year-wise Syllabus for MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance | ||
| Years | MBA in Marketing | MBA in Finance |
| Year 1 Common Subjects | Accounting, Economics, Organizational Behavior, Statistics, and Marketing Management Fundamentals. | Accounting, Economics, Organizational Behavior, Statistics, and Finance Fundamentals. |
| Year 2 Specialization Courses | Consumer Behavior, Brand Management, Advertising, Digital Marketing, Market Research, and Sales Management. | Investment Management, Financial Markets, Risk Management, Corporate Finance, and Portfolio Management. |
MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance Top Colleges
Before students decide between choosing MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance, it is crucial to understand that both of these courses are taught at management institutions. The MBA colleges in India are broadly classified into 2 categories. While government colleges include IIM Ahmedabad, FMS Delhi, IIM Calcutta, etc, the private MBA institutions comprise SPJIMR Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, etc. Check the complete list of the best MBA in Marketing and MBA in Finance colleges in India.
Top MBA in Marketing & MBA in Finance Government Colleges in India
Below is a list of famous colleges in India that are in the top MBA in Marketing & MBA in Finance Government run colleges category.
- IIM Ahmedabad
- FMS Delhi
- IIM Calcutta
- IM Bangalore
- IIM Lucknow
- IIM Indore
Top MBA in Marketing & MBA in Finance Private Colleges in India
Check the complete list of private colleges in India that are put in the top MBA in Marketing & MBA in Finance colleges category.
- SPJIMR Mumbai
- XLRI Jamshedpur
- MDI Gurgaon
- SCMHRD Pune
- NMIMS Mumbai
- SIBM Pune
- IMI New Delhi
- IMT Ghaziabad
- Woxsen University
- Woxsen School of Business Hyderabad
- XIMB Bhubaneswar
- NIRMA University
- Institute of Management Ahmedabad
MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance- Which One Earns More?
As per a recent article published by upGRad, the average salary range for both specialization of MBA, a finance major and a marketing major, is between ₹5 to ₹8 LPA. The MBA in finance graduates earn approximately 20% more than those who have done an MBA in Marketing. Check the table below to know the average salary range per year to compare MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance in terms of salary potential.
| MBA in Marketing vs MBA in Finance | |
| Courses | Average Salary |
| MBA in Finance | ₹5–7 LPA |
| MBA in Marketing (includes Sales) | ₹4.5–6 LPA |
Conclusion
Students with an intention to pursue an MBA in Finance are expected to work as Financial Analysts, Risk Analysts, etc. Marketing roles are different from Finance positions. MBA in Marketing graduates may expect roles such as Marketing Executive, Brand Associate, etc. Choosing the course between a Finance major or a Marketing major is subject to your personal interests and what you wish to do with your career.
For the final comparison between an MBA in Finance vs. MBA in Marketing, which one is better is a subjective question worth asking yourself. From an objective point of view, both fields are high in demand, have good earning potential and a scope for growth and prosperity. The final choice is yours.
