MBA versus a leadership degree: How to choose the right path for your career

An advanced business and management degree has a certain allure.

It has the potential to unlock the next level of career development. It signals a commitment to continuing education and professional growth. It also offers the opportunity to connect with like-minded people in various industries and stages of their careers.

A 2024 report from the National Center for Education Statistics found the number of advanced degrees conferred between 2011 and 2021 increased by 17 percent, with the most common being business degrees.

Today’s management professionals have a wide range of programs and delivery options from which to choose. For those looking to improve their leadership potential while adding credibility to their resumes, Purdue University offers a variety of options including two online business degrees, the Master of Business Administration (MBA), ranked No. 4 nationally by Forbes in 2026, and the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision (MSOLS).

However, like most journeys, selecting the right path depends on your ultimate destination. The table below lists the main differences between each program. Read on to learn more about what forward-thinking degree is right for you.

MBA	MSOLS
Primary focus is on developing business acumen to drive profitability through integrated decision-making across business functions and competitive markets	Primary focus is on leading teams, improving company culture, ethical decision making and understanding organizational behavior
Explores depth in one or more areas of business via specialization including Marketing, leadership and change management, business analytics, artificial intelligence, supply chain management and entrepreneurship	Explores use of quantitative analytical tools for measuring performance and effectiveness, change management models, appropriate and ethical use of artificial intelligence and communications strategies
Cultivates strategic decision-making skills, encouraging leaders to evaluate risks while navigating business opportunities	Cultivates communications and leadership skills, empowering leaders to promote a “growth mindset” while building high-performing teams
Ideal for career enhancement or career pivots into business leadership roles	Ideal for professionals already leading teams/projects

What is an MBA?

An MBA is the most recognized advanced degree for business leadership. It develops the strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and leadership skills required to make high-impact decisions and lead organizations through change and growth.

As part of Purdue’s online MBA program, students explore marketing principles, emerging technologies and organizational behavior. A significant number of elective courses in Purdue’s MBA program allow students to customize their programs to fit the needs of their current roles while preparing them for the future. Students can delve into a range of topics including business analytics, supply chain management, leadership and change management, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

Academically rigorous, Purdue’s MBA program offers global networking opportunities and insights from industry experts.

“The two years or so that students spend in the MBA program are transformational,” said Dilip Chhajed, associate dean for schoolwide programs at the Mitch Daniels School of Business.

“It helps them develop frameworks to think differently. They are not the same person who started the program. I see the confidence in their approach, the conviction in their thinking backed by data and analysis, and a much broader perspective on business and leadership.”

In alumni surveys, Purdue MBA graduates report an average $25,000 gain in salary after completing the program, Chhajed said. According to Payscale, in 2026, the national average salary base for professionals who earned an MBA was $103,000 annually. Jobs held by professionals with an MBA include:

• Chief financial officer 

• Product manager 

• Marketing director 

• Director of operations

Chhajed said people enroll in the MBA program for a variety of reasons.

“These are people who may have worked for a few years and are ambitious about their careers. Sometimes they have reached a plateau. Often, they want to pivot from their current role, into leadership positions and move higher up in the organization,” Chhajed said.

What is a master’s in organizational leadership and supervision?

Responding to the challenges confronting experienced leaders across every sector, the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision (MSOLS) was introduced by Purdue Polytechnic Institute in 2024.

This business management degree is designed to elevate the leadership and communication skills of people leading teams, projects and stakeholders in different units. Students learn skills such as change and project management, conflict resolution, strategic planning and how to adapt and implement evolving technologies. It gives students the confidence to rally peer support to successfully complete any mission.

“The master’s in organizational leadership and supervision is designed to do more than build knowledge. It transforms how individuals lead, think and show up in both their professional and personal lives,” said Purdue Polytechnic Institute associate professor Katrenia Reed Hughes.

“The program equips students with practical, immediately applicable skills in areas such as communication, project leadership and strategic decision-making, while also strengthening their confidence and sense of purpose as leaders.”

According to a 2025 report by Lightcast, this field has a projected job growth of 6.9 percent from 2024 to 2029 and a national median annual salary of $115,100.

Students can also customize their degree by adding technical courses. Because of the versality of this program, students can follow a wide variety of career paths, including:

• Financial manager 

• Project manager 

• HR director 

• Operations director 

“What makes this program especially powerful is its focus on real-world application,” Reed Hughes said.

Key differences between a business administration degree and an organizational leadership degree

Both the MBA and MSOLS programs emphasize Purdue’s tradition of innovation, collaboration and practical, real-world problem solving.

Both programs are:

• taught by Purdue West Lafayette’s world renown faculty.  

• 100 percent online and allow students to customize the degree to fit their professional and personal vision.  

• offer transformative experiences, allowing professionals to impact their organization immediately.  

• provide access to industry experts and networking opportunities with other professionals from different sectors. 

However, each degree expresses those possibilities differently.

Which degree is right for your career goals?

While both Purdue’s online MBA and MSOLS programs provide experienced leaders with the skills, knowledge and hands-on expertise needed to pursue the next step in their careers, they meet different needs.

Here are some factors to consider:

MSOLS is designed for team and project leaders who want to strengthen their influence while increasing their impact. But if your goal is building business acumen, improving financial performance or pivoting into broader business leadership roles, the MBA program is right for you.

• MBA → Enterprise perspective + functional expertise + leadership  

• MSOLS (Purdue) → Applied leadership + people and organizational impact  

Explore which program is right for you:

Learn more about the Master of Business Administration program by visiting its website.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision program by visiting its website.