{"id":3651,"date":"2026-09-21T04:31:31","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T08:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/?p=3651"},"modified":"2026-09-21T05:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T09:10:25","slug":"masters-degrees-why-some-still-matter-and-why-others-dont","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/masters-degrees-why-some-still-matter-and-why-others-dont\/","title":{"rendered":"Master\u2019s Degrees: Why Some Still Matter and Why Others Don\u2019t"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\">By SalaryFor.com &#8211; real salaries for all professions<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For decades, earning a master\u2019s degree was considered a guaranteed career accelerator. But in 2026, employers have become far more discerning. They now evaluate <em>what<\/em> the degree is, <em>where<\/em> it came from, <em>how rigorous the program was<\/em>, and <em>whether the graduate has kept their skills current<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This shift has created a familiar workplace tension: Employees with <strong>outdated or low\u2011rigor online MBAs<\/strong> often brag about their credentials, while coworkers with <strong>high\u2011ranked degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, Emory, or Georgia Tech<\/strong> quietly outperform them \u2014 and advance faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The truth is simple. <strong>Not all master\u2019s degrees carry weight anymore. Some still matter. Others don\u2019t.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Rise \u2014 And Decline \u2014 of the Executive MBA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Executive MBAs were once viewed as elite credentials designed for rising leaders. But the EMBA landscape has split into two very different categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. The Traditional Executive MBA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These programs are offered by selective universities and are built for experienced professionals. They typically include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>competitive admissions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cohort\u2011based learning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>leadership development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>real\u2011world consulting projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>strong employer pipelines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A traditional EMBA from a school like Emory or UNC still signals leadership maturity and strategic capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. The Mass\u2011Market Executive MBA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past decade, many institutions have launched EMBA programs that are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>open\u2011admission<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fully online<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>theory\u2011heavy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>disconnected from employer networks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>marketed aggressively to working adults<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These programs often resemble general online MBAs with a leadership label attached. Employers recognize the difference immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Specialized MBAs: Why They Now Outperform General MBAs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A specialized MBA focuses on a specific discipline rather than broad management theory. These programs have become far more valuable because they build <strong>hard skills<\/strong>, not just conceptual knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MBA in Business Analytics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MBA in Supply Chain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MBA in Healthcare Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MBA in Information Systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MBA in Finance or Quantitative Methods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specialized MBAs outperform general MBAs because they align with how companies hire today: <strong>skills first, credentials second.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employers increasingly prefer candidates who can step directly into technical, analytical, or operational roles \u2014 not just manage people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Purdue Global: Why It Is Not Purdue University<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many employees assume Purdue Global is simply \u201cPurdue online.\u201d Employers know better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purdue Global was built from the acquisition of <strong>Kaplan University<\/strong>, a for\u2011profit online school known for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>low academic rigor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>high acceptance rates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>aggressive marketing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>weak employer recognition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purdue Global inherited Kaplan\u2019s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>faculty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>online infrastructure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>degree programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>student body<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reputation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is why employers categorize Purdue Global as <strong>mid\u2011tier at best<\/strong> \u2014 legitimate, but not competitive with selective programs like Georgia Tech, Emory, UNC, or Purdue West Lafayette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graduates from Purdue Global often express frustration about being passed over for promotions, especially when coworkers with stronger degrees advance faster. But employers are simply responding to rigor, outcomes, and credibility \u2014 not branding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where CMU (Central Michigan University) Fits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CMU is a legitimate public university with a long history, but its online master\u2019s programs fall into the <strong>mid\u2011tier category<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>not a diploma mill<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>not a for\u2011profit institution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>not elite or highly selective<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>more respected than Purdue Global<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>less competitive than flagship universities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CMU sits squarely in the middle of the value spectrum \u2014 respectable, but not prestige\u2011enhancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a safe option for working adults, but it does not carry the weight of selective programs like UNC, Emory, or Georgia Tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why an MBA Is Not a CPA, PE, JD, RN, or Any Regulated License<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the most important distinctions employers make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>CPA<\/strong>, <strong>PE<\/strong>, <strong>JD<\/strong>, <strong>RN<\/strong>, <strong>MD<\/strong>, or <strong>licensed clinical credential<\/strong> requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>formal licensing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>standardized national exams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>continuing education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>renewal cycles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>regulatory oversight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>legal accountability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These credentials verify competence in a way employers can trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An <strong>MBA<\/strong>, by contrast:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>has no licensing body<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>has no standardized curriculum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>has no continuing\u2011education requirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>varies dramatically in rigor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>can be earned from schools with open admissions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>does not certify competence in any regulated skill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is why an MBA \u2014 especially from a low\u2011rigor online institution \u2014 does not carry the same weight as a regulated professional credential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employers treat MBAs as <strong>educational experiences<\/strong>, not <strong>licenses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Some Employees With Weak Degrees Complain About Promotions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across many workplaces, you\u2019ll find employees who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>earned an online MBA 10\u201315 years ago<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>completed coursework that required minimal effort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>attended schools with near\u2011100 percent acceptance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>believe the credential should guarantee advancement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They often complain that coworkers without master\u2019s degrees \u2014 or with more selective degrees \u2014 are being promoted ahead of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But promotions today are based on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>adaptability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>leadership maturity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>technical fluency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>execution under pressure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ability to work across AI\u2011native systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not the letters printed on a diploma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Master\u2019s Degrees That Still Hold Strong Value<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Highly Selective Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, Emory, Georgia Tech, Duke, and other competitive universities still carry weight because they require:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>selective admissions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>rigorous coursework<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>strong employer partnerships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>respected faculty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>measurable outcomes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Technical and STEM\u2011Aligned Master\u2019s Degrees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Engineering, analytics, cybersecurity, and AI\u2011aligned programs remain extremely valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Healthcare and Clinical Master\u2019s Degrees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Audiology, advanced nursing, occupational therapy, and clinical administration continue to offer strong ROI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Science\u2011and\u2011Data Hybrid Degrees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Programs that merge biology, data, and analytics \u2014 like bioinformatics \u2014 are rapidly rising in value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Master\u2019s Degrees Losing Value Fast<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Generic MBAs Without Technical Concentrations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Broad MBAs without analytics, AI, or operations depth are increasingly viewed as outdated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Low\u2011Rigor Online MBAs and Diploma Mills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Programs with open admissions and minimal academic standards produce graduates who struggle to compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Oversaturated Administrative Degrees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Degrees that don\u2019t build hard skills rarely justify their cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Old Degrees Without Updated Skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A master\u2019s degree earned 10\u201320 years ago doesn\u2019t reflect today\u2019s workplace unless the graduate has continuously upskilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Comparison: Master\u2019s Degrees That Matter vs. Those That Don\u2019t<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Tier<\/th><th>Degree Type<\/th><th>School Examples<\/th><th>Employer Perception<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><th><strong>Tier 1<\/strong><\/th><td>Highly selective, technical, AI\u2011aligned<\/td><td>UNC, Emory, Georgia Tech, Duke<\/td><td>Strong value, long\u2011term ROI<\/td><\/tr><tr><th><strong>Tier 2<\/strong><\/th><td>Specialized MBAs, mid\u2011tier accredited programs<\/td><td>CMU, regional universities<\/td><td>Moderate value, depends on skills<\/td><\/tr><tr><th><strong>Tier 3<\/strong><\/th><td>Executive MBAs from low\u2011rigor online schools, Purdue Global<\/td><td>Open\u2011admission online institutions<\/td><td>Low value, often discounted<\/td><\/tr><tr><th><strong>Tier 4<\/strong><\/th><td>Outdated degrees without updated skills<\/td><td>Any school<\/td><td>Value declines sharply over time<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Master\u2019s degrees still matter \u2014 but only the right ones. Selective programs, specialized MBAs, technical fields, and science\u2011data hybrids continue to deliver strong ROI. Low\u2011rigor online MBAs, mass\u2011market Executive MBAs, and legacy programs from institutions like Purdue Global do not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2026, employers reward <strong>skill<\/strong>, <strong>execution<\/strong>, and <strong>adaptability<\/strong> \u2014 not outdated credentials or loud self\u2011promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/ai-proof-business-degrees-the-smartest-path-to-long-term-career-security\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/ai-proof-business-degrees-the-smartest-path-to-long-term-career-security\/\">AI Proof Business Degrees: The Smartest Path to LongTerm Career Security<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/the-traits-of-highly-successful-people\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/the-traits-of-highly-successful-people\/\">The Traits of Highly Successful People<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/why-companies-are-increasingly-hiring-people-with-no-industry-experience\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/why-companies-are-increasingly-hiring-people-with-no-industry-experience\/\">Why Companies Are Increasingly Hiring People With No Industry Experience<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/why-some-employees-with-average-performance-become-company-superstars\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/why-some-employees-with-average-performance-become-company-superstars\/\">Why Some Employees With Average Performance Become Company Superstars<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\">click here for more salary information<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By  &#8211; real salaries for all professions For decades, earning a master\u2019s degree was considered a guaranteed career accelerator.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3895],"tags":[4573,3211],"class_list":["post-3651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education","tag-masters-degree","tag-mba"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3651"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3659,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3651\/revisions\/3659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}