Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Project Management (PM) Specialization program that is AACSB-accredited and built for working professionals who want to advance into leadership roles across any industry. The program combines core MBA coursework with a project management concentration designed around the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) framework.
A project management degree at the graduate level, specifically an MBA in PM, prepares you for leadership roles that span industries. Graduates find roles in technology, construction, finance, healthcare and professional services. This guide covers career paths, salaries and industries open to you with a project management degree.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Project Management Degree?
An MBA in project management opens a wide range of roles. These positions all extend from the process of planning, leading and delivering projects from start to finish. These are the core skills the degree targets. Project management involves controlling budgets, managing timelines, coordinating teams and reporting progress to leadership. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual wage of $100,750 for project management specialists. Common titles include:
- Program Manager: Oversees a set of related projects and aligns them with broader business strategy. Program managers often lead teams of project managers and report directly to senior leadership.
- Director of Operations: Manages ongoing business processes and drives improvement across functions. This senior role draws on the strategy, finance and leadership skills that an MBA builds alongside PM training. General and operations managers earn median annual wages near $103,000, according to BLS data.
- Project Portfolio Manager: Evaluates and prioritizes a group of projects to maximize value for the organization. Portfolio managers need strong business judgment and financial skills, areas the MBA develops directly.
- IT Project Manager: Leads technology projects including software launches, system upgrades and digital rollouts. IT PM roles are among the most in-demand as organizations invest in digital transformation.
- Construction Project Manager: Plans and oversees building projects from design through completion. Construction is one of the top fields for PM employment, accounting for 21% of all PM specialist jobs, per BLS data.
Whichever title you pursue, an MBA gives you the strategic and financial grounding that a certification-only path does not provide. That broader business foundation is also what opens doors across industries, not just within project management itself.
What Industries Hire MBA Project Management Graduates?
PM specialists work across many sectors, according to BLS. The largest employers by share of the PM workforce include:
- Professional and scientific services: 28%
- Construction: 21%
- Manufacturing: 7%
- Administrative services: 5%
- Finance and insurance: 4%
An MBA in PM is not limited to one field. Graduates find roles in healthcare, educational administration, government and nonprofit management as well. The MBA format, with core courses in finance, marketing and strategy, makes it easier to cross industries than a technical PM credential alone.
What Does an MBA Project Manager Earn?
Salaries vary by role, industry and experience, but the numbers are strong across the board. Even entry-level roles in project management offer strong earning potential compared to many other business specializations.
BLS reports a median annual wage of $100,750 for project management specialists, with the highest-paid 10% earning more than $165,000 per year. Occupational Information Network (O*NET), which draws on the same government wage data, shows a similar median for the occupation. The Project Management Institute (PMI) reports that certified PMP holders earn about 16% more, on average, than non-certified peers worldwide, making the MBA-plus-PMP combination a strong investment.
Entry-level PM roles, reflected in BLS’s 10th percentile wage data, typically start around $60,000. Senior PMs and program managers in the upper wage tiers, BLS’s 75th percentile, earn upwards of $115,000, with the top 10% of earners exceeding $165,000 per year. Director and portfolio manager roles push higher still, especially in technology and finance.
Can You Move Into Senior Leadership?
Yes, moving into senior leadership is one of the clearest advantages of the MBA over a PM certification alone. Employers increasingly want project leaders who also understand budgets, strategy and organizational dynamics.
An MBA in project management develops the business skills, strategy, finance, marketing and organizational leadership that senior and executive roles require. Project managers with an MBA are positioned to move into director, VP and C-suite roles in ways that a certification-only path does not typically support. SIUE’s online MBA with a Specialization in Project Management builds these skills through required coursework spanning corporate finance, strategic management and organizational behavior.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 names leadership and social influence, analytical thinking and talent management among the top skills employers will need through 2030. Demand is rising. Organizations need people who can manage projects at both an operational and a strategic level, which is exactly what the MBA in PM trains you to do.
What Skills Does the Degree Build?
An MBA in project management combines PM-specific training with broad business education. Core skills include:
- Project planning, scheduling and risk management
- Budget management and financial analysis
- Team leadership and stakeholder communication
- Agile and PMBOK project methods
- Business strategy and operations management
Look for programs with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) accreditation, the top standard for business school quality. AACSB-accredited programs meet strict standards for faculty, curriculum and student outcomes. Not all programs hold this credential.
How Do You Choose a Project Management Degree Program?
When comparing programs, focus on three factors. Accreditation, format and curriculum depth all shape how much value you get from the degree.
- Accreditation: The single most important box to check. Confirm the MBA program you’re considering actually holds AACSB accreditation before enrolling.
- Format: Online programs let working professionals earn the degree without leaving their job. Look for flexible scheduling that fits around your current role.
- Curriculum depth: Strong programs cover both Agile and PMBOK frameworks alongside finance, strategy and leadership. Verify that PM courses go beyond theory into applied skills.
Comparing programs on these three factors will help you find a degree that delivers real career value, not just a credential. The right combination of accreditation, flexibility and curriculum depth is what separates strong MBA programs from generic ones.
Where Could an MBA in Project Management Take You?
An MBA in project management pays off both in salary and career mobility. The business skills it builds carry weight well beyond any single industry or job title.
If you’re ready to build the leadership, financial and strategic skills that senior PM and operations roles demand, an AACSB-accredited MBA with a PM concentration is one of the strongest paths available. It also signals to employers that you can operate at both the tactical and strategic level.
Explore SIUE’s MBA with a Specialization in Project Management program to see how its PMBOK-based curriculum and flexible, fully online format can support your next career move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are quick answers to common questions about earning an MBA with a project management concentration. If you don’t see your question below, SIUE’s admissions team can help with program-specific details.
Do you need a PMP certification before starting this MBA?
No. The MBA in project management teaches the PMBOK framework and PM fundamentals from the ground up, so no prior certification is required to enroll.
How long does it take to complete the program?
SIUE’s online MBA in project management can be completed in as few as 12 months, with six start dates offered each year.
Can you keep working while earning the degree?
Yes. The program is delivered fully online and is designed for working professionals who need to balance the degree with a full-time job.
Is a PMP certification still worth pursuing after the MBA?
Yes. PMI reports that certified PMPs earn about 16% more, on average, than their noncertified peers worldwide, so pairing the MBA with the PMP certification is a common and effective combination.
About Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a public research university located in Edwardsville, Illinois. SIUE’s School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, a distinction held by only a small fraction of business schools worldwide. SIUE offers a fully online project management MBA program built for working professionals, with flexible schedules and affordable tuition.
The university serves students across Illinois and beyond, providing accessible, high-quality graduate education with strong career support and alumni networks. The School of Business has held AACSB accreditation since 1975 and is one of only 2% of business schools worldwide to hold dual accreditation in business and accounting. SIUE is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, reflecting the university’s broader commitment to academic quality. Graduates join a business school known for pairing rigorous coursework with practical, career-focused instruction.
