Many prospective students wonder how a Master of Science in Leadership (MSL) differs from a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and which type of program is the best fit for their professional goals.
MSL or MBA?
Both degrees can help you gain valuable management skills, grow your network, and expand your career prospects, but they differ on several key points. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide which path to pursue:
1. Skillsets
In either an MSL or an MBA program, you’ll study business fundamentals like accounting, marketing, and analytics. The main difference is that MSLs focus on cultivating holistic leadership qualities like strategic thinking and team building, preparing you to effectively guide people and drive positive change in your workplace.
By contrast, MBAs tend to focus on the technical side of business management, like financial analysis, market research, and operational efficiency.
Taking the Lead
Now a branch manager at KeyBank, Kassidy Spoon M’22 credits her experience in Keuka College’s MSL program with helping her become an inspirational coach and mentor to her team:
"The competencies I acquired at Keuka College were instrumental in shaping me into the leader I am today. I was able to explore various leadership styles and gain insights into their practical application in real-world scenarios."
2. Career Outcomes
MSLs and MBAs are both designed for motivated professionals who want to advance in their careers. While MBAs are typically geared toward the corporate world, MSL programs equip you to lead with confidence in just about any context – from global organizations to solo enterprises, and across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
Additionally, Keuka College offers a specialized healthcare track for aspiring leaders in the fast-growing, ever-evolving healthcare industry.
What’s Your Next Job Title?
If there’s one word that sums up the benefits of earning your MSL at Keuka College, it’s possibilities. Here are some actual job titles held by our recent graduates, along with median salaries for upstate New York (via Glassdoor):
- Chief Nursing Officer ($245,000)
- Chief of Staff ($214,000)
- Director of Human Resources ($164,000)
- Executive Director ($159,000)
- Owner/Operator ($152,000)
3. Admissions Requirements
The MSL program at Keuka College aims to open doors to opportunity, not create extra barriers to entry.
To apply, you’ll need a solid GPA from an accredited undergraduate institution, but you don’t need to take the GRE or GMAT, and a specific amount of work experience isn’t necessary. Conversely, most MBA programs require test scores, and many give preference to applicants with longer work histories.
4. Time and Money
There’s no denying that any graduate degree is a major investment, but costs and timelines vary considerably among programs.
According to the Princeton Review, most MBAs require two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study, and tuition averages more than $60,000. Keuka College’s online MSL program lets busy professionals take one course at a time and finish in as few as 21 months. The total program cost is $22,630 before financial aid.
Speaking from Experience
As a former hiring manager and longtime instructor in Keuka College’s MSL program, Prof. Mark McNaney has a unique perspective on the credentials and capabilities that employers value most:
"Our program enables students to develop advanced leadership and strategic decision-making skills, which can be applied across a diverse array of managerial settings – healthcare, corporate, education, nonprofits, government, or startups."
Take The Next Step Today
Whether you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, start your own business, or drive positive change in the rapidly evolving healthcare field, Keuka College’s MSL program will give you the skills and confidence you need to make your mark on the world.
