MBA Vs MPA: What is the difference? The main difference between an MBA and an MPA is that an MBA is for people who want to be business executives, and an MPA is for people who wish to be public service leaders. Both degrees focus on administering an organisation in the private and public sectors. MBA students tend to have professional experience in the commercial sector, whereas MPA students have a stronger interest in the public sector. 

This post will go through the differences between MBA and MPA. Check it out below. 

MPA Vs MBA: Highlights

Students with a bachelor's degree are frequently undecided about whether they should pursue an MPA or MBA degree following graduation. A student must evaluate the course's key components to choose which course is the best.

Let’s look at the difference between MPA and MBA.

MPA Vs MBA: Overview 

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a two-year master's degree that focuses on the study of public policies and their implementation. The majority of universities offer Master of Public Administration programs as part of their arts programs. The Master of Public Administration curriculum is designed to help students become more responsible administrative authorities. Master of Public Administration positions generally come with a low starting pay.

Read More: MPA

The term MBA refers to a graduate degree in business administration. It is one of the most sought-after business degrees in the world. In today's competitive environment, an MBA is required for job progression. It teaches the information and abilities needed for challenging work that necessitates perseverance, energy, and time management. It instills principles such as collaboration, leadership, and the capacity to encourage others.

Read More: MBA

MPA Vs MBA: Eligibility Criteria 

It's vital to understand what a qualifying criterion is because the MPA and MBA programs have distinct entry requirements. To enroll in the course, you must first learn about the prerequisites.

The following are the MPA eligibility requirements:

• The candidate must have earned a bachelor's degree in any field with a good grade from a recognized educational body.
• Certain universities require students to have job experience.
• Candidates are admitted to universities based on their applications, and those who are accepted should expect to go through a round of counseling and personal interviews.

The following are the MBA eligibility requirements:

• You must have a bachelor's degree in any field or an equivalent from a recognized university to be eligible for an MBA (full-time).
• The majority of institutes need a minimum graduation score of 50 percent on average or equivalent.
• Candidates having last year’s bachelor are also eligible to enroll in an MBA program.

Read More on MBA Admission

MPA Vs MBA: Subjects

The curriculum varies per specialization; however, for comparison, the following courses make up a typical curriculum for both degrees. The following is a subject of the MPA versus MBA course program:

MPA Subjects

• Public Policy
• Ethics in Governance
• Public Governance
• Indian Administration
• Organizational Behavior
• Political System of India

Read More: MPA Syllabus and Subjects

MBA Subjects

• Marketing
• Finance
• Operations
• Economic Statistics
• Accounting
• Organizational Behaviour
• Entrepreneurship
• Business Ethics

Read More: MBA Syllabus and Subjects

MPA Vs MBA: Advantages of Pursuing 

MPA is a policy formulation and implementation course that focuses on the analysis and forecasting of policy that can be considered for implementation. The following are some of the advantages of pursuing MPA:

• Skills in networking
• Leadership skills
• Increased awareness
• Enhanced Job Prospects

Completing an MBA program indicates a dedication to learning, growing, and applying abilities that may help a business flourish. MBA holders are also more confident in their marketability and the quantity of data they can contribute to a wide range of initiatives. These are only a handful of the benefits of earning an MBA.

• Better awareness of the global market
• Improved communication skills
• A larger professional network
• More prospects
• More efficient time management

MPA Vs MBA: Specializations 

The MPA program, as well as the MBA program, offers various specializations in specific areas. It equips applicants with scientific knowledge. Students must choose a specialization that is a good fit for their skills and interests so that they can easily deal with the demands of the business.

MPA Specializations in India are:

• Homeland Security
• Health Field
• International Affairs
• Non-Profit Management
• Urban Development
• Criminal Justice
• Transportation systems

MBA Specializations in India are:

• Finance
• Marketing
• Banking & Financial Services
• Human Resource Management
• Business Analytics
• International Business
• Rural Management
• Healthcare Management
• Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management

MPA Vs MBA: Job Opportunities

The most important element for students to consider before enrolling in any degree program is the possibility of a successful career. Aspirants should be aware of the following job prospects after completing the courses:

Job opportunities for MPA candidates are:

• Administrative Service Managers
• Program Analyst
• Budget Analyst
• Executive Director
• Civil Service Officer
• Program Director

Read More: MPA Job Scope

Job opportunities for MBA candidates are:

• Information Technology
• Brand Management
• Marketing
• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance
• Accounting & Finance

Read More: MBA Job Scope

MPA Vs MBA: Salary Packages

When it comes to picking a degree program and a job, salary is a crucial, if not the most important, consideration. As a result, the following pay ranges should be considered.

The Average Salary for an MPA graduate is:

Read More: MPA Salary

The Average Salary for an MBA graduate is:

Read More: MBA Salary

MPA Vs MBA: Top Colleges of India 

The best schools are picked based on a variety of variables, including placement, price, teacher evaluations, and infrastructure, to name a few. The following are some of the best colleges:

Top Colleges for MPA in India are:

• Indian Institute of Public Administration New Delhi
• ISB Hyderabad
• St. Xaviers College Mumbai
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai
• Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management New Delhi
• Amity University

Read More: Top MPA Colleges in India

Top Colleges for MBA in India are:

• Faculty of Management Studies Delhi
• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Indore
• IIM Bangalore
• Xavier School of Management Jamshedpur

Read More: Top MBA Colleges in India

Which One to Choose: MBA or MPA? 

Two of the most prestigious postgraduate degrees are the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Public Administration. Because it has both benefits and downsides, it may be a tough option to make. As a result, applicants must choose depending on their tastes and long-term objectives.

Opportunities: For those who wish to work in public services, MPA is a field of public policy development and execution, whereas MBA is a field of general management for those who want to advance in the business sector.

Skills Development: MPA and MBA students can gain real-world management experience through internships and case studies. Both courses also strengthen networks by allowing people from all around the world to connect.

The MPA and MBA degrees are well-known in India. It is up to the candidate to pick which course is ideal after learning all of the information about each one.