What careers can a business master's lead to?

TL;DR

• The most popular business master's degrees are in management, finance, and data analytics. Other popular options include entrepreneurship, marketing, and accounting
• Graduates of general management programs normally move into the consulting, finance, and tech sectors. Those who study specialized programs tend to follow career paths related to their topic of study
• Graduates of programs in management, marketing, finance, and data analytics earned an average salary of around $80,000 in 2024, and these were all projected to increase in 2025

Business is the most popular degree in the UK and USA, which means that universities now offer a wide range of programs to cater to the growing demand.

Whether you choose to study a master’s in management, finance, or data analytics, each business master's program can lead you down distinct career paths with high earning potential.

Here we'll run through some of the most popular business masters programs, the skills they teach you, the careers they lead into, and how to apply for one yourself.

Let’s start by looking at the key skills you’ll learn during a business master’s.

What does a business master’s teach you?

Because there is such a wide range of business master's programs available, the skills you’ll learn will differ depending on the degree. 

You typically have the option to study either a general or specialized program. A generalized program, like a master’s in management (MiM), teaches students business fundamentals such as marketing, accounting, strategy, and finance. It also helps you develop soft skills including communication, critical thinking, and negotiation.

On the other hand, a specialized program will teach you skills relevant to your target career. Popular specialized business master's include finance, data analytics, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

According to the 2025 GMAC Demand for Graduate Business Degrees report, these are the most popular master's among prospective business school students:

• Management or International Management (considered by 57% of candidates)

• Finance (29%)

• Data Analytics (23%)

• Entrepreneurship (12%)

• Marketing (11%)

• Accounting (10%)

• Supply Chain Management (10%)

Typical career outcomes for business master’s graduates

Salary increase 

Business master's graduates tend to see a salary boost upon completion of their program. According to data from the Financial Times, the average salary boost among graduates of the world’s top 100 MiM programs is 46%. For master’s in finance graduates, that figure rises to 53%.

More than two-thirds of graduate management education (GME) alumni say that their degree boosted their earning power, according to a 2022 GMAC survey.

Career advancement 

Studying a generalized or specialized business master’s is also likely to lead to a promotion. Two-thirds of business school graduates reported that they advanced at least one job level as a result of their degree.

Career switching 

Another benefit of a business master’s is that it gives you the opportunity to change career. The same GMAC survey referenced above found that around half of all GME graduates changed either job function or industry after completing their degree.

Expanded network 

Studying a business master’s opens new doors in your career, many of which are down to your expanded contact book. In fact, 76% of GME graduates believe their degree helped to develop their professional network.

Global mobility

Another common benefit of studying a business master’s is the chance to launch your career in a new country. For example, 39% of graduates of the Master in Finance program at Cambridge Judge switched countries after completing their degree.

What are the most common business master’s industries?

Consulting

Consulting is the most popular industry for MBA graduates, and it’s the same story for GME graduates as a whole.

How many master’s graduates work in consulting?

Several MiM programs have a strong track record of helping graduates break into the consulting industry, including INSEAD, where 40% of MiM graduates typically move into consulting, London Business School (29% enter consulting) and IESE Business School (25%).

Average business master’s consulting salaries

Salaries for business master's graduates working in consulting can fluctuate, though at the leading schools the figure tends to be between $50,000 and $70,000. 

Though this is lower than average MBA consulting salaries, it’s worth remembering that business masters graduates tend to be younger and less experienced, with potential for further salary growth as they progress in their career.

Finance

Finance is one of the most popular industries for business masters graduates. You can break into the industry with either a generalized MiM or a specialized master in finance.

How many master’s graduates work in finance?

Anywhere between 60-90% of master’s in finance graduates move into the finance industry after graduating. For MiM graduates, that figure tends to be more like 20-30%. Again, that figure is likely to differ depending on the school you go to. For instance, around one-third (32%) of Imperial Business School MiM graduates go on to work in finance.

Average business master’s finance salaries

According to the 2025 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, master’s in finance graduates earn an average salary of $80,000 as a starting salary. However, this figure will vary depending on which school you go to. For example, graduates of the London Business School MiM earn an average salary of £44,845 (US$61,400) in the finance industry. At at Michigan Ross, finance master's graduates can command $74,114. Meanwhile at ESCP Master in Finance—the top-ranked finance master's program in the world in 2025 according to the Financial Times—graduates earn an average salary of €105,200 (US$125,000).

Tech

Whether through a generalized or specialized program, the tech industry is a popular career route for business masters graduates.

How many master’s graduates work in tech?

The employment reports of some of the world’s leading business masters programs suggest that a healthy number of graduates go on to work in tech. For example, 11% of HEC Paris MiM graduates move into tech, whereas this amounts to 17% of London Business School MiM graduates, and 29% of Cornell Johnson MPS in Management graduates

Example job titles for business master's grads in the tech industry include product manager, data analyst, project manager, and operations manager.

Average business master's tech salaries

Like their MBA counterparts, business master's grads can expect to earn a competitive salary in the tech industry with potential to grow.

The average base salary of Cornell Johnson MPS in Management graduates working in the tech industry is $48,946. At Michigan Ross, Master of Management graduates in tech earn an average of $69,700.

What are the most common business master's careers?

Data analytics

According to GMAC research, 23% of all prospective GME students  intend to work in data or business analytics after graduating.

And they can expect to earn well: in 2024 the average reported salary for master of data analytics grads was $80,000, but was projected to increase to $100,000 in 2025.

Marketing

Just over one-tenth of students intend to study a master’s in marketing at business school, making it one of the most popular specialized programs.

In 2024 graduates of marketing masters earned an estimated average salary of $80,000, but that was projected to increase further in 2025.

Accounting

Ten percent of prospective business school students intended to study a master’s in accounting in 2025.

Salaries for master’s in accounting graduates were also projected to increase: from $75,000 in 2024 to $92,500 in 2025.

What do you need to apply for a business master’s?

The entry requirements for business master's programs will differ depending on your area of study. 

For general programs such as a master’s in management, you’ll likely need:

• A bachelor’s degree (it doesn’t have to be in a business-related field)

• A score in the GMAT or GRE exam, though some schools no longer mandate this 

• Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)

• Evidence of some work experience or volunteering in a related field may be beneficial

Unlike an MBA, MiMs often don’t require any paid work experience in order to apply.

For specialized programs in subjects such as finance, marketing, and data analytics, you will need:

• A bachelor’s degree (normally in a related field to your target program)

• A score in the GMAT or GRE exam, though some schools no longer mandate this 

• Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)

• Evidence of some work experience or volunteering in a related field may be beneficial

Though most specialized programs are what we call pre-experience—meaning you don’t require any work experience to apply—there are some post-experience programs that will demand relevant work experience. Be sure to double-check the entry requirements for your chosen program before applying.

If you meet the requirements for your target program, you’ll have to apply for it directly through the school website. The application process often involves writing 1-2 essays, obtaining 1-2 written references, and paying an application fee.