Industries of all kinds seek master in business administration (MBA) graduates to fill management and executive-level roles. The San Diego area is known for its innovation, and an MBA can open the door to switching careers — or advancing in your current one — in exciting fields like biotechnology, telecommunications, software development, and aeronautics.
San Diego is also home to many educational and research institutes; this means you have options close to home for pursuing an MBA, whether you want to attend classes on campus or work toward an online degree.
San Diego MBA Programs: On-campus Options
National University, California’s largest private nonprofit university, offers a master’s in business administration at its San Diego campus, as well as at other locations throughout the state. The program focuses on the practical skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage companies today, including accounting and finance, management, supply chain, marketing, global business, corporate social responsibility, and ethics.
Designed for working professionals, National’s program allows students to take one course at a time; each lasts only four weeks, adding additional scheduling flexibility.
San Diego MBA Programs: Online Degrees
National University also offers the MBA in a 100 percent online format, so you don’t have to quit your job to advance your career. And, just as in the on-campus program, you also may specialize in an area that fits your specific career goals or personal interests. Some examples include human resources management, integrated marketing communication, organizational leadership, supply chain management, and international business.
National’s online degree option offers the flexibility and convenience to work according to your own schedule. And, you’ll also have the option to take a mix of online and on-campus classes.
Career Outlook for San Diego MBAs and … Beyond
Nearly every day, positions requiring an MBA are filled and new job postings are continually added.
Nationally, according to a 2018 year-end employer poll from the Graduate Management Admission Council, 78 percent of respondents planned to hire recent MBA graduates. And most companies plan to increase the starting salary in 2019.
Finance and accounting is a common area for MBA graduates to begin their careers and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), financial manager positions will grow 19 percent over the next decade, which is faster than the average occupation.
Salary Expectations for San Diego MBA Graduates … and Beyond
If you’re pursuing your MBA to increase your earning potential, this advanced degree will give you an edge. According to PayScale.com, currently, in 2019, the average salary for workers in the greater San Diego area is $60,807. The average annual salaries for positions requiring an MBA advertised on Indeed.com in early 2019, however, are much higher. They include:
- Business development manager: $121,011
- Product marketing manager: $116,311
- Product manager: $101,837
- Finance manager: $90,239
While salaries will always vary over time and according to location, an advanced degree such as an MBA generally leads to higher earning potential in your career.
If you’re planning on enrolling in the online MBA because you’re elsewhere in California or in another state, you can still expect a higher pay with an MBA versus a bachelor’s degree. The potential for a good salary, even one surpassing six figures, is possible in many locales. Here’s a look at a few positions requiring a master’s in business administration and their national and state average salaries, according to the BLS:
Economists
National average: $102,960
California average: $122,960
Financial Managers
National average: $125,080
California average: $154,310
Human Resources Managers
National average: $119, 120
California average: $139,860
Chief Executives (ex: CEO, COO)
National average: $183,270
California average: $222,950
Operations or General Managers
National average: $100,410
California average: $136,080
With a variety of specializations and course schedules and formats, National’s on-campus and online MBA may be worth considering, whether you’re looking to learn in San Diego or from afar.
To learn more about military-friendly National University and its Master of Business Administration and related programs, visit our Finance and Economics program page.