| MBA vs. Law Degree, Help Deciding?

MBA vs. Law Degree, Help Deciding?

Keith C asked:


Here’s the dilemma. I work at a law office right now as a legal assistant/office manager. What this means is that I am in charge of not only writing legal documents, but also our marketing and business protocols. My boss, our attorney, always jokes about how much of a better CEO I would be than a future law partner, which I’m pretty much ensured were I to go to law school.

I enjoy both aspects of my job equally, but I would agree that I am a slightly better business man. I guess what my question pertains to the kinds of jobs an MBA would provide you with, as well as the upward mobility it gives. Is the salary of a person with an MBA anywhere comparable to that of your typical entry level lawyer, which where I live, is about $70,000 for a regional firm?

Thanks in advance for the information, I appreciate any and all help on the matter.

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Comments

5 Responses to “MBA vs. Law Degree, Help Deciding?”

  1. Invisigoth on April 14th, 2009 7:24 am

    both occupations have the potential to earn the same amount of money. You really need to decide which one you have the most interest in, because if you aren’t really interested in what you are doing, then you will have a tendency to do a shoddy job, become bored with the work and then chuck it all together.

  2. Ranto on April 15th, 2009 3:58 pm

    The answer to your question depends on the quality of the MBA program.

    1. If you can get into a top 15 MBA program, then your starting salary with an MBA would be a lot more.

    2. Going to a ranked MBA program outside the top 15 would give you a starting salary in the same range — perhaps a little higher.

    3. Getting an MBA from a program that is not ranked will do VERY LITTLE for you in terms of improving your salary.

    Have you considered a combined JD/MBA program? Most schools that offer both degrees offer them.

  3. zwerp2000 on April 18th, 2009 6:33 pm

    The legal profession is horrible. Go for your MBA. I have my JD and bar license and if i could do it all over again, i would have never gone to law school. Too many law school graduates and not enough jobs. Most of my friends feel the same way. Law schools will paint a pretty picture for you, but that;s because they want you to attend their program and pay the ridiculous tuitions. The legal profession has really gone downhill.

  4. hypno444 on April 21st, 2009 3:16 pm

    Don’t make it an either/or choice, choose a combined JD/MBA program, even if you do not become an attorney, the knowledge of law can be an asset in any position you get with an MBA. Combining both would seem to make you a better candidate for CEO of a legal firm also, just a thought.

  5. miss R on April 24th, 2009 9:54 pm

    tough question -
    depends where you live and what university you will attend.

    LAW - where I live, we have too many lawyers (NJ,NY area) so it is very difficult to get a good paying position (depending also what kind of law you want to get into)

    Business - broad field - you have to get into a top school to get anywhere with that kind of degree. Just b/c you get a business degree doesn’t mean you are a good business person

    just some thoughts

    i hope this helps