MBA vs MHA: Admissions, Scope, Job Opportunities, Salary
MBA and MHA are both good choices of courses for future hospital administrators. Check this detailed comparison of MBA and MHA courses and find out which is the best course for you.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) are both postgraduate degree courses that create a pathway into the healthcare administration sector which is mostly preferred by candidates with a background in medicine or related fields but aspirants from other backgrounds as well may pursue these courses for a career in this sector.
Students are often confused about whether an MBA or MHA is the best choice of course for getting into the healthcare administration career. Both courses seem to be a good choice and involve the study of subjects related to management. However, there are quite a few fundamental differences between the two. A student who is pondering upon the choice between MBA and MHA must take a look at the differences between the two courses in order to make an educated choice.
In this article, we have provided a comparison of MBA and MHA courses. Students will be able to take a look at the aspects of each of these courses such as their career scope, colleges, salary etc. and decide on which course to go for.
| Table of Contents |
MBA vs MHA: Overview
The table below provides a quick comparison of the various features of MBA and MHA courses.
Parameter | MBA | MHA |
Full Name | Master of Business Administration | Master of Hospital Administration |
Duration | 2 years | |
Stream | Management | Healthcare |
Eligibility | Graduation in any stream | Bachelor's degree in any stream. |
Work Experience | Mandatory in some courses or colleges. In a majority of the cases, it is not mandatory but weightage is provided in the selection criteria. | Generally not mandatory for MHA courses. However, some colleges may give preference to candidates with relevant work experience. |
Admission Process | MBA Entrance Exam + GD + PI | PG Entrance Exam + GD + PI |
Top Colleges | ||
Average Course Fee | Rs. 5 lakh | Rs. 3 lakh |
Average Starting Salary | Rs. 7.5 LPA | Rs. 5 LPA |
MBA vs MHA: Introduction
Prior to exploring the differences between MBA and MHA, it is important to understand what both of these courses are all about.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
MBA is a postgraduate degree in management that involves the study of various aspects of management and business administration sector. An MBA course includes the study of a wide range of subjects relevant to the management of businesses and organizations. MBA students are taught subjects such as Finance, Marketing, Business Law, Organizational Behaviour, HRM etc. The course develops the required skills in a student to help them solve day-to-day problems in leadership or administrative positions.
Master of Hospital Administration (MHA)
MHA is also a postgraduate course that deals with the management of healthcare establishments. The course prepares a student for an administrative role in the healthcare sector and provides an understanding of the functions and operations involved in the everyday management of a hospital or a related establishment or organisations. MHA students develop a good understanding of how to take care of patient needs and also build the skills necessary for the effective management of people and resources.
Institutes such as Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai generally offer an MHA course under the Master of Arts (MA) degree.
MBA vs MHA: Career Scope and Job Opportunities
When choosing between the MBA and MHA courses, a student must take a look at the career opportunities that the course is best suited for and compare them with their own career goals.
Career after MBA
MBA is a globally recognized course that opens up career opportunities in a wide range of fields. Candidates with an MBA degree can be a good fit in multiple sectors. Career opportunities after an MBA degree may vary, depending upon the MBA specialization one goes for. Some of the major areas of recruitment for MBA graduates include:
Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) Companies
Management Consultancies
Telecommunication
Investment Banking
Equity Management etc.
Candidates can even explore jobs in hospital administration after completing an MBA degree. For that, one can look for specializations such as:
Career after MHA
MHA is a professional course that is specialized in the healthcare administration sector. An MHA degree is excellent for a candidate who wishes to take up job opportunities in hospital management but it would be of very little help if he/she wishes to explore any other sector. However, it has a more specialized course curriculum and hence creates a student with a higher level of expertise. Following are the top areas of recruitment after MHA.
- Hospitals
- Nursing Homes
- Clinics
- Healthcare Organizations / Departments
- Rehabilitation Centres etc.
MBA vs MHA: Which is better?
Basically, the following table will make it easier for the candidates who are having trouble deciding between the two courses.
| Parameter | MBA | MHA |
| Who is it better for? | Candidates from any background who are interested in hospital management or want to keep their options open. | Candidates with a medical background who are sure about their career pathway. |
| Scope of Work | MBA has a much wider scope of work and graduates can explore multiple sectors. | MHA is a much more specialised course and provides you with better skills and tools to operate in a hospital environment. |
| Expenses | Generally, speaking MBA is an expensive course. Most MBA colleges have high course fee and other expenses. | The course fee for MHA is lower than MBA but it is certainly higher than any other MA degree course. Candidates can expect a lower investment in MHA. |
MBA and MHA are both excellent choices when it comes to courses after graduation. For a candidate who is aspiring for a career particularly in the healthcare segment, it would be better to opt for either MHA or an MBA specialization related to the hospital administration sector.
However, the MBA General Management degree is also a good choice for aspirants with a medical background. There are medical professionals who choose to go for an MBA after MBBS to learn about management in the healthcare sector and explore leadership roles in top hospitals or hospital chains.
MBA and MHA courses are also relevant for any medical professional who wishes to establish his own hospital or clinic. The choice between the two courses and the better course can only be decided at the individual-level. Still confused? Our expert counsellors can help you out. Just fill our Common Application Form (CAF) or call 1800-572-9877 for free student counselling.