MBA in Marketing or MBA in Digital Marketing: Which Should You Pursue?

It can be hard to choose between an MBA in Marketing and an MBA in Digital Marketing in today’s tech-driven industry. Students get confused because both programs want to help them learn how to be creative and strategic marketers, but they do so in different ways, with different tools, and with different career trajectories. A traditional MBA program teaches students a lot about branding, market research, and consumer behavior. A digital marketing MBA, on the other hand, goes deeper into online strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), performance analytics, and social media marketing.

Students need to think carefully about which of these two programs they want to take based on their professional aspirations, the changing needs of the business, and their own interests. This post will discuss the differences between an MBA in marketing and an MBA in digital marketing. This will help students make a smart choice.

What is an MBA in Marketing vs. Digital Marketing?

Students who earn an MBA in Marketing Management learn the fundamental concepts and techniques underlying marketing. Whereas an MBA in Digital Marketing is all about the online parts of marketing, such as social media, SEO, sponsored ads, and content marketing. 

MBA in Marketing

An online MBA in Marketing lets students master the most important skills, which gives them a broader view of this diverse field and helps them do well in all of their responsibilities. These programs feature full course lists and offer marketing electives that cover important topics in the field, such as the ones listed below:

• How People Act as Customers
• Marketing Services
• Managing Ads
• Marketing Around the World
• Managing the Supply Chain and Sales Distribution
• Marketing for Stores
• E-Marketing

Because these programs are online, students can learn from wherever they want. They also have access to –

• Study Materials of High Quality
• E-Libraries, or electronic libraries
• Classes that are recorded and live
• Online Tests
• Forums for Discussion

MBA in Digital Marketing

When schools offer MBAs in Digital Marketing, they make sure that the courses give students a better understanding of how quickly the marketing world is changing. Most of these programs last two years and give students access to expert teachers. They teach important ideas like how to use information technology (IT) in business, how to start a business, how to market online (e-marketing), and how to manage a brand and advertising. This prepares students for a professional role in the future.  

Key Differences between an MBA in Marketing and Digital Marketing

The table below provides further details about the differences between an MBA in Marketing and an MBA with a focus on Digital Marketing.

What Makes Them Different	MBA in Marketing	MBA in Digital Marketing
Concentration	It includes a wide range of marketing ideas, such as branding, digital and traditional channels, market research, and other related fields.	It focuses on online marketing methods, including SEO, sponsored ads, content marketing, and social media marketing, to name a few.
Best For	Students who want to learn more about marketing are interested in both digital and classic marketing methods and like to think strategically.	Students who love the digital world, want to focus on online marketing, and like using online tools and platforms.

Subjects Covered in Each MBA Program

Branding, customer behavior, sales strategy, and market research are some of the most essential concepts in an MBA in Marketing. A Digital Marketing MBA focuses on search engine optimization (SEO), social media, content marketing, analytics, and online advertising platforms like Google and Meta.

MBA in Marketing

The following subjects are covered in an MBA in marketing:

First Semester	Second Semester
Entrepreneurial Practice Data Visualization (Excel/Tableau) Business Communication (WAC) Organizational Behavior  Managerial Economics Marketing Management  Financial Accounting	Business Research Methods (R/Python) Financial Management Operation Management  Legal Aspects of Business Human Resource (HR) Management Business Communication (VAC) Management Accounting

Third Semester	Fourth Semester
Core Subjects Strategic Management Term Paper Electives/Specialization Subjects Sales Distribution and Supply Chain Management Retail Marketing Consumer Behavior Marketing Research	Main Subjects International Business Management Project Electives and specialization classes Services Marketing and Customer Relationship Management  Electronic Marketing (E-Marketing) Advertising Management and Sales Promotion International Marketing

MBA in Digital Marketing

These are the topics that an online MBA in Digital Marketing program covers: 

First Semester	Second Semester
Entrepreneurial Practice Data Visualization (Excel/Tableau) Business Communication (WAC) Organizational Behavior  Managerial Economics Marketing Management  Financial Accounting	Business Research Methods (R/Python) Financial Management Operation Management  Legal Aspects of Business Human Resource (HR) Management Business Communication (VAC) Management Accounting

Third Semester	Fourth Semester
Core Subjects Strategic Management Term Paper  Electives/Specialization Subjects Introduction to Digital Marketing Media Laws and Ethics New Media and Social Media Spectrum IT in Business	Main Subjects International Business Management Project Optional courses and specialization subjects Media Planning and Economics E-Marketing Entrepreneurship and Digital Marketing Advertising and Brand Management

Career Opportunities after Each MBA

Some of the top careers after MBA in Marketing are Brand Manager, Product Manager, Marketing Strategist, or Sales Director. On the other hand, some of the leading careers after an MBA in Digital Marketing are Digital Marketing Manager, SEO/SEM Specialist, Social Media Strategist, and Performance Marketing Lead.

Career after MBA in Marketing

After getting an MBA in Marketing, students can work in the following fields:

• Digital Marketing Manager: They come up with, run, and carry out digital marketing plans to get more people to know about the business, get more leads, and get more people to visit the website. They also keep an eye on campaigns on a number of internet sites, such as social media, search engines, email, and websites. This is one of the leading marketing job roles

• Brand Manager: They are in charge of making sure that people have a good impression of a company’s goods and services. They come up with and carry out plans to make sure the brand connects with its target audience and meets its business goals. If you want a high salary after MBA in marketing you can pursue this career. 

• Advertising Manager: They are in charge of planning, directing, and coordinating advertising campaigns that promote a business’s goods and services. They also come up with advertising plans, look at how well campaigns are doing, and keep an eye on finances to make sure they reach their target consumers and have the greatest impact.

• Sales Manager: They are in charge of sales teams and help businesses increase revenue by coming up with and putting into action sales plans, keeping an eye on performance, and setting goals. They also hire, mentor, and train salespeople, as well as look at sales statistics and offer suggestions that can assist the team do better. 

• Public Relations Manager: They make sure that people and businesses seem good and keep that image. They reach these aims by making and carrying out communication plans, dealing with emergencies, and handling media relations.

• Market Research Analyst: They collect and evaluate information on customers, the market as a whole, and rivals so that businesses may find their target audience and make smart choices about their products, prices, and marketing plans. They turn data into useful information that can be used to improve marketing campaigns and make business decisions.

Career after MBA in Digital Marketing

The scope after an MBA in Digital Marketing, the best jobs are:

• Growth Marketing Manager: They curate and carry out plans to get new consumers, keep existing ones, and get them to interact with the brand, which leads to more sales. They also look at the whole customer lifecycle, from the first time they hear about a product to their long-term loyalty. They do this by using an experimental and data-driven strategy to improve marketing efforts across different channels. This is one of the top digital marketing job roles.

• Product Marketing Manager: These people create and carry out marketing plans that clearly explain the value of a product and get people to use it in order to assist a firm reach its goals. In short, they connect the market with a product. This is a good choice for candidates looking for a good salary after an MBA in digital marketing. 

• Digital Marketing Consultant: They create and carry out marketing plans to make a business’s online presence better. They also look at market trends to find chances and make campaigns on a number of digital platforms, including email, search engines, and social media. 

• Email Marketing Manager: The email marketing manager is in charge of all parts of a company’s email marketing plans. They also develop, evaluate, and carry out email campaigns to get people interested in their items, boost sales, and encourage purchases.  

• Campaign Manager: Their main job is to design, run, and carry out marketing campaigns, which can also involve running political campaigns. They also come up with plans, keep an eye on how well things are doing, distribute resources, and make sure that campaigns are in line with the big picture goals. 

• Performance Marketing Analyst: They use data to make marketing campaigns better, get the most out of their investments (ROI), and use analytics to make things work better. They also evaluate how well campaigns are performing on different digital channels based on the key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify areas for improvement.

Salary after MBA in Marketing vs. Digital Marketing

The table below shows the incomes for people who have an MBA in Marketing and those who have an MBA in Digital Marketing:

MBA in Marketing		Digital Marketing MBA
Job Role	Pay	Role in the Job	Pay
Digital Marketing Manager	INR 13.8 L per annum	Growth Marketing Manager	INR 19.3 L per annum
Brand Manager	INR 12.5 L per annum	Product Marketing Manager	INR 18 L per annum
Advertising Manager	INR 9 L per annum	Digital Marketing Consultant	INR 11 L per annum
Sales Manager	INR 9 L per annum	Email Marketing Manager	INR 8.7 L per annum
Public Relations Manager	INR 5.12 L  per annum	Campaign Manager	INR 7 L per annum
Market Research Analyst	INR 4.4 L per annum	Performance Marketing Analyst	INR 6 L per annum

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between an MBA in Digital Marketing and an MBA in Marketing is more than just picking a program. The key here is how to make sure that your future work path matches your goals and strengths. Here are some tips that can help students choose the best solution for them.

What job do you want to have in the future?

One of the most important factors in such a choice is the jobs for MBA in digital marketing vs. marketing. Students should think about whether they want to be in charge of teams that work on brand strategy, sales, or product marketing. Or do they think they could run Google Ads, social media campaigns, or SEO efforts?

If you want to work in a variety of jobs in different fields, from product marketing and brand management to even digital responsibilities, you should get an MBA in marketing because it will provide you with more options.

But if you want to work primarily in digital-first jobs like a performance marketer, social media manager, or SEO specialist, you should get an MBA in digital marketing because it will help you get there faster.

What kind of work do you find most interesting?

Are you more interested in figuring out why people act the way they do, starting marketing campaigns, or making plans for how to get your product to market? Or are you good at analytics, improving digital campaigns, and A/B testing?

People who love the larger picture of how firms grow, how to tell a brand’s story, and how to position a brand in the market should get an MBA in marketing.

If you like to deal directly with online tools and platforms and see real-time campaign metrics, you should get an MBA in digital marketing.

Skills: What are your strengths, and what do you need to work on?

An MBA in marketing will help you improve your basic abilities like market research, sales strategy, and branding. It will also have digital courses, which will give you a well-rounded profile.

On the other hand, an MBA in digital marketing will put more emphasis on technical abilities such as these:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• Social Media Marketing
• Email Marketing
• Statistics/Analytics
• Social Media

This is a great choice for you if you have used digital tools before or want to learn more about them.

What is in demand and what will last in the industry?

Digital marketing jobs may be in high demand right now, but companies still value people who know the basics of marketing, strategic planning, and consumer insights.

With an MBA in marketing, you can be flexible and ready for leadership roles where you can oversee both digital and traditional marketing teams.

If you want to swiftly become an expert in a specific and rapidly growing digital field, an MBA in digital marketing is the perfect choice.

Online Manipal offering Online MBAs in Marketing and Digital Marketing

The online MBA in Marketing program from Manipal University Jaipur can aid students in a number of ways, such as preparing them to be the future generation of marketers, improving their basic marketing skills, deepening their theoretical knowledge, and moving up in their marketing professions. The curriculum helps people fine-tune their skills for the marketing jobs available and become a leader in a field that is always changing. The program teaches important skills through a curriculum that is in line with the needs of the business and is taught by qualified professors.

• Thinking Strategically
• Researching the Market
• Managing a Brand
• Marketing on the Internet
• Making Content
• Analyzing Data
• Marketing on Social Media  

Students who take the online MBA in Digital Marketing program at Manipal University Jaipur will learn important skills, improve their digital skills, and improve their job prospects in the process. Students who take this program can get the best jobs in digital marketing, aim for leadership positions, and build a name for themselves in the fast-paced field of digital marketing. It gives them the abilities they need to grow strategically and make a difference in the field.

Conclusion

People might like the big-picture perspective of an MBA in marketing, or they might be drawn to the fast-paced, tech-driven world of digital marketing. In the end, the right choice will depend on what you want to do with your career. A standard MBA program in marketing is the best choice for someone who wants to drive brand initiatives across industries. But they might think about getting an MBA in digital marketing to stay ahead on digital platforms and data-driven campaigns. Individuals seeking a career in marketing should take the first step toward their dream job by applying today to Manipal University Jaipur through the Online Manipal platform.  

FAQs

1. Is a Digital Marketing MBA better than a Marketing MBA?

No, a digital marketing MBA is not automatically better than a regular MBA in marketing. Both of these programs give you useful skills and open up a lot of various job options, but they are aimed at different people with different professional goals.

2. Is it possible to get an MBA in Digital Marketing online?

Yes, students can get an MBA in digital marketing online. Many colleges and universities offer these programs in different online formats, such as fully online and hybrid programs.

3. Which pays more: an MBA in marketing or an MBA in digital marketing?

Salaries vary with the role and experience; graduates with an MBA in marketing can aspire to higher pay in leadership roles. Graduates with a digital marketing MBA degree can often achieve faster growth in their careers. 

4. Is it a good idea for new graduates to get an MBA in digital marketing?

Yes, an MBA in digital marketing might be a smart choice for new graduates because it gives them a solid base for a successful career in this industry, which is rising quickly.

5. What kinds of jobs can you get after getting an MBA in marketing?

A person who has an MBA in marketing can work in the following jobs:

• Manager of Brands
• Manager of Marketing
• Manager of Digital Marketing
• Analyst of Market Research
• Manager of Sales

These are some of the different career options that can lead to a satisfying professional career 

6. Is an MBA in Marketing preferable for jobs that require leadership?

Yes, an MBA in Marketing usually gives you a broader business background and a strategic point of view, which makes it a good choice for leadership roles. It gives professionals the skills they need to lead teams, grow brands, and make sure that marketing is in line with the company’s overall goals.