When it comes to postgraduate courses, MBA is the first choice for many. However, to have a successful career, you first need to choose the right MBA stream, otherwise you may not be that successful. Hence, before selecting a good MBA college, you need to first know which stream is best for an MBA. Here is a quick guide to different streams in MBA, information on some of them and three promising ones for 2024 and coming years.
Before looking at what streams will be in demand, let’s first take a look at the different options you have under an MBA.
1. Marketing
2. Finance
3. Human Resource Management (HRM)
4. Operations Management
5. Information Technology (IT)
6. International Business (IB)
7. Supply Chain Management
8. Business Analytics
9. Healthcare Management
10. Entrepreneurship
11. Hospitality Management
12. Retail Management
13. Media and Communication
14. Rural Management
15. Sustainability Management
1. Marketing: The best known of all MBA streams, here you will learn consumer behaviour, market research, branding, advertising, and digital marketing as well as how to drive business growth and gain customer engagement.
There are many career opportunities for a graduate with an MBA in Marketing. It includes:
Top recruiters in the marketing sector often include leading companies from various industries, such as:
Among the different MBA streams, graduates with an MBA in Marketing can expect:
Salaries can be even higher in high-growth sectors like digital marketing and e-commerce.
2. Finance: This course is related to financial management and making financial decisions regarding investment. You will learn about financial markets, investment analysis, risk management as well as corporate finance.
Graduating with an MBA in Finance? Then you are eligible to apply for these positions:
Top recruiters for MBA Finance graduates come from a wide range of industries, mostly finance-related:
Among MBA different streams, an MBA in Finance can expect a salary of:
Because of bonuses and incentives, graduates in industries like investment banking and private equity can anticipate earning more than the base pay.
3. HR or Human Resources: Another very popular choice among the MBA different streams. It is the study of how to manage the human resource or the employees of an organization; from recruiting the right people, maintaining relationships, evaluating their performance and also making sure the productivity of the company is enhanced.
As one of the most popular MBA streams, graduates of the MBA in Human Resources find jobs in almost all segments of the industry. Their key roles include:
Top Recruiters in This Industry
Top recruiters for MBA HR graduates come from a wide range of industries, with prominent names including:
Salaries for MBA HR graduates change depending on their job position and industry segment. General estimates are:
HR professionals in sectors like IT, consulting, and FMCG may earn higher, particularly in strategic and leadership positions.
4. Information Technology: One of the best MBA streams to come up in the last few decades is the MBA in Information Technology. You learn about IT strategy, cybersecurity, digital innovation and system management when you do MBA in Information Technology.
An MBA in Information Technology (IT) gives a candidate the ideal mix of technical and business management abilities. So, this is one of the most promising MBA streams in India, opening up various career paths including:
Top Recruiters in This Industry
Major recruiters for MBA IT graduates come from IT, tech, and consulting firms. Major recruiters in India include:
Salaries for MBA IT graduates can differ depending on their job position and the industry they work in.
In IT, consulting, and tech roles, salaries can be even higher, especially for leadership roles like CIO or IT Director.
5. Business Analytics: Data is fundamental to any business, and in this MBA stream, you learn how to do data analysis, statistical modelling, predictive analytics and big data in this course.
An MBA in Business Analytics prepares graduates to interpret data for business decisions. It is ideal for those aiming to merge data-driven analysis with strategic thinking. Common roles include:
Top recruiters for MBA Business Analytics graduates come from a wide range of sectors, especially in tech and consulting. Major recruiters include:
Among the different streams in MBA, salaries for MBA Business Analytics graduates are considered to be on the higher side. The general estimates are:
Salaries in sectors like IT, consulting, and e-commerce can be even higher due to the demand for analytics professionals.
6. Retail management: This surging industry contributes nearly 10% of India’s GDP, and the MBA regarding the retail industry is also very much in demand. You learn about consumer behavior, retail strategy, merchandising, retail management and supply chain in this course.
An MBA in Retail Management focuses on managing the retail sector, from supply chains to customer experience. Graduates can take on diverse roles, such as:
Top recruiters for MBA Retail Management graduates typically come from the retail, FMCG, and e-commerce sectors like:
Compared to other MBA streams, the salary range in Retail Management is a bit lower:
Retail managers in e-commerce or luxury retail often command higher salaries due to the industry's growth and consumer demand.
So, these are some of the various MBA stream names that you should be aware of if you want to do an MBA. Now, let’s take a look at the five most promising MBA streams for a career in the coming years, in India.
If you are wondering what the job prospects and salary expectations are for other MBA streams, here is a quick guide to it:
MBA Stream Name
Job Roles
Expected Salary in India
MBA in Operations Management
Operations Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Manager, Quality Control Manager
Entry: ₹6–12 lakhs; Mid: ₹12–20 lakhs; Senior: ₹20 lakhs+
MBA in International Business
International Business Manager, Export Manager, Global Supply Chain Manager, Trade Analyst
Entry: ₹7–15 lakhs; Mid: ₹15–25 lakhs; Senior: ₹25 lakhs+
MBA in Healthcare Management
Hospital Administrator, Healthcare Consultant, Medical Practice Manager, Health Services Manager
Entry: ₹5–10 lakhs; Mid: ₹10–18 lakhs; Senior: ₹18 lakhs+
MBA in Agri-Business
Agri-Business Manager, Farm Manager, Supply Chain Manager (Agriculture), Marketing Manager (Agri-products)
Entry: ₹4–10 lakhs; Mid: ₹10–18 lakhs; Senior: ₹18 lakhs+
MBA in Entrepreneurship
Startup Founder, Business Consultant, Innovation Manager, Venture Capital Analyst
Will depend on the success of the venture, but it can typically be around ₹7–15 lakhs
MBA in Media Management
Media Manager, Content Strategist, Brand Manager, Public Relations Manager, Production Head
Entry: ₹5–12 lakhs; Mid: ₹12–20 lakhs; Senior: ₹20 lakhs+
MBA in Biotechnology Management
Biotech Product Manager, Research and Development Manager, Biotech Consultant, Quality Control Manager
Entry: ₹5–10 lakhs; Mid: ₹10–20 lakhs; Senior: ₹20 lakhs+
MBA in Co-operative Management
Co-operative Manager, Rural Development Officer, Operations Manager, Credit Manager (Co-operatives)
Entry: ₹4–8 lakhs; Mid: ₹8–15 lakhs; Senior: ₹15 lakhs+
MBA in Disaster Management
Disaster Response Manager, Risk Analyst, Crisis Management Consultant, Public Safety Officer
Entry: ₹5–10 lakhs; Mid: ₹10–18 lakhs; Senior: ₹18 lakhs+
MBA in Energy Management
Energy Consultant, Energy Efficiency Analyst, Sustainability Manager, Renewable Energy Project Manager
Entry: ₹6–12 lakhs; Mid: ₹12–20 lakhs; Senior: ₹20 lakhs+
MBA in Environment Management
Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Manager, Environmental Project Manager, Environmental Policy Analyst
Entry: ₹5–10 lakhs; Mid: ₹10–18 lakhs; Senior: ₹18 lakhs+
MBA in Facility Management
Facility Manager, Operations Manager, Property Manager, Maintenance Manager
Entry: ₹5–10 lakhs; Mid: ₹10–18 lakhs; Senior: ₹18 lakhs+
MBA in Consulting
Management Consultant, Business Strategy Consultant, Process Improvement Consultant, Project Consultant
Entry: ₹8–16 lakhs; Mid: ₹16–25 lakhs; Senior: ₹25 lakhs+
MBA in Business Process Management
Business Process Manager, Operations Manager, Workflow Analyst, Process Improvement Specialist
Entry: ₹6–12 lakhs; Mid: ₹12–20 lakhs; Senior: ₹20 lakhs+
MBA in Communication Management
Corporate Communications Manager, Public Relations Manager, Media Relations Officer, Marketing Communications Manager
Entry: ₹5–12 lakhs; Mid: ₹12–20 lakhs; Senior: ₹20 lakhs+
MBA in Accounting Management
Financial Analyst, Accounting Manager, Auditor, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Entry: ₹6–12 lakhs; Mid: ₹12–20 lakhs; Senior: ₹20 lakhs+
Here are three MBA streams to consider, if you are planning to study MBA this year. These streams have great job prospects now and in the next coming years. They are in no particular order.
With the Government of India pushing forward digital innovation through programs like Digital India, the need for professionals to interpret data is growing in demand. There is a huge explosion of data in India from various sources and industries need this data to be analyzed for making better business decisions. Hence, with an MBA in Business Analytics, it will be easy to find jobs in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, eCommerce and finance.
If you are already an working professional, and want to better your job prospect, then this is a good MBA to choose. You can go for Dual Coursework MBA programs in USA where you can do part of your program in India, and the rest in the US. The subjects you study are blockchain technology, digital banking and fintech innovation. Hence if this is what you choose among the different streams in MBA, you will find yourself in good demand in the job market when you pass out.
India is fast becoming one of the biggest countries for healthcare tourism in the world. Along with that, the GOI is also pushing for more public sector healthcare awareness through programs like Ayushman Bharat. The pandemic also showed the importance of efficient healthcare management, which is why this is going to be one of the most in-demand MBAs in the coming years.
The choice of your MBA stream should be made after thorough considerations. You should choose a field that you like, and also has demand in future market. We hope that our guide will help you get clarity on some important MBA streams related topics.
Finalizing the right MBA stream for career is not enough; you also need to make sure you do it from the right university or college. This is why at Futurense we provide opportunity for you to study in top MBA universities in the USA. With us, you can choose to study in the USA through our:
1. Managing Digital Enterprises with Analytics & AI
2. Digital Product Design and Management
3. FinTech & Cybersecurity