How to Choose Between a Master’s in Engineering Management and an MBA for Engineers
If you’re an engineer looking to advance your career, you’ve likely considered graduate school. But which degree path fits your goals best: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Engineering Management (MEM)?
While both can prepare you for leadership roles, they differ significantly in focus. Rowan University offers both degrees online—with options tailored for professionals like you. Here’s how to compare them.
1. What’s the Real Difference Between an MBA and MEM?
An MBA is a broad-based business degree. It teaches core areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, operations and leadership—designed for professionals across all industries. Rowan’s online MBA offers flexible, fully online coursework with customizable concentrations like Management, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, HR, Cannabis Commercialization and more.
An MEM, on the other hand, is tailored for engineers. It blends engineering principles with business leadership and technical project management. At Rowan, the curriculum combines coursework from both the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering and the Rohrer College of Business to provide a strong foundation in both innovation and management.
Bottom line: An MBA prepares you to lead in a general business context. An MEM helps you lead technical teams and projects while staying grounded in engineering.
2. Who Should Choose an MEM?
An MEM is ideal if you want to stay in a technical or engineering-focused role while stepping into leadership. It’s built for engineers who want to manage large-scale projects, oversee operations or lead innovation teams.
Rowan’s online MEM includes courses in:
- Engineering Economics
- Strategic Risk Management
- Quality in Engineering Management
- Engineering Law and Ethics
- Systems for Engineering Management
- Project Management for Engineers
You’ll also choose a track in Construction Management or Project Management, allowing you to specialize in high-demand fields while applying leadership in real-world technical environments.
3. When Should Engineers Consider an MBA?
An MBA is ideal for engineers looking to pivot into broader business leadership roles, including executive management, entrepreneurship or cross-industry consulting. Rowan’s online MBA, offered through its AACSB-accredited Rohrer College of Business, allows you to build customizable skill sets across concentrations like:
- Organizational Leadership
- Marketing
- Data Analytics
- Sustainable Business
- Finance
- Cannabis Commercialization
- Human Resource Management
Rowan’s MBA curriculum is designed for flexibility and offers the ability to select one or two concentrations—or combine electives across disciplines.
4. MEM vs. MBA Careers: What Jobs Can You Get with Each Degree?
With an MEM, potential roles include:
- Architectural and Engineering Manager
- Industrial Production Manager
- Compliance Manager
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers
- Industrial Ecologist
- Facilities Manager
- Cost Estimator
With an MBA, common roles include:
- General and Operations Manager
- Purchasing Manager
- Sales Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager
- Management Analyst
While there’s overlap, an MEM focuses on technical project leadership and engineering operations, whereas an MBA supports broader business strategy and cross-functional leadership.
5. How to Decide Which Degree Fits Your Goals
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on where you want your career to go—and how close you want to stay to your technical roots.
Choose the MEM if you want to:
- Stay in engineering or a technical environment while stepping into leadership
- Lead projects, processes or teams within STEM-driven industries
- Gain managerial skills that complement your engineering background without switching fields
- Specialize in project management or construction while maintaining technical fluency
Choose the MBA if you want to:
- Move into executive leadership, consulting or business development
- Transition into roles in finance, marketing or operations outside of engineering
- Gain a broader business foundation that applies across industries
- Start your own business or pursue entrepreneurship with strategic business skills
Why Earn Your MEM or MBA Online at Rowan University?
Rowan University is a nationally ranked public research institution known for academic excellence, innovation, and career-ready education. Whether you’re pursuing the MEM or MBA, you’ll benefit from the strength and support of Rowan Online, built on four key pillars:
- Flexibility – 100% online coursework that fits your schedule
- Affordability – Competitive tuition
- Quality – Expert faculty and rigorous, real-world curriculum
- Career Advancement – Skills and credentials that position you for leadership
An MEM empowers engineers to lead technical projects and teams with confidence. An MBA prepares business professionals to drive strategy, innovation and growth across industries.
Whichever path you choose, you’ll be backed by one of New Jersey’s most trusted names in higher education.
Ready to Advance Your Career with a Graduate Business or Engineering Degree?
If you’re looking to grow as a technical leader without stepping away from engineering, Rowan’s Master of Engineering Management could be your perfect next move.
If you’re ready to expand your business acumen and lead beyond technical boundaries, an online MBA program offers broad strategic value.
No matter which path you choose, Rowan University’s career-focused, fully online programs are built to help you lead with confidence.