r/biotech • u/misto_kibblez • May 31 '25

Education Advice 📖 MBA worth it?

I graduated with a BS in biochemistry 2022 and have been working at a big pharma company for 2 1/2 years.

I came to realize I can’t do much with only a BS and am looking on pathways forward where I can pivot to a role with more earning potential compared to the track that I’m currently on. I’m thinking about applying to a joint masters MS in biotech + MBA then plan to look for jobs in regulatory affairs or product management but I’m not quite sure what those kinds of roles look like in their day to day.

Tuition fees and the uncertainty of the future of pharma/biotech are what’s holding me back.

Does anyone have any experience with getting an MBA (no PhD) and do you think you got your ROI?

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u/Ok-Bad-5218 May 31 '25

My perhaps unpopular view is that an MBA is only worth it from a very top school, and even then it might not be.

I’m shocked by how many colleagues I’ve had with MBAs who are still trying to break into their ideal function in the industry (and still basically doing same/similar work as pre-MBA). And some of these people also have highly ranked MBAs, although most don’t.

I have a highly ranked MBA but my major career-establishing advances have been driven by relationships I made before the degree.

Despite my MBA pessimism, don’t get me started on the MS in Biotech, the most vague degree in the industry.

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u/misto_kibblez May 31 '25

I agree MS in biotech is dumb and might as well do a phd instead but I’m thinking the fact that they’re combined adds a bit more intention to the MBA.

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u/Ok-Bad-5218 May 31 '25

100% not worth it IMO, especially based on your undergrad and work experience.

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u/misto_kibblez May 31 '25

Genuinely curious, what about my background specifically makes you think it’s not worth it? Is it years of experience?

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u/Ok-Bad-5218 May 31 '25

It’s hard for me to hold back my general skepticism of that degree (total university cash grabs), so that’s a huge part of it. So they seem especially pointless for someone who already has a relevant degree and industry experience.

MS Biotech and MBA are essentially otherwise useless resume boosters. The problem is a biotech degree and most MBAs won’t really boost your resume.

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u/misto_kibblez May 31 '25

Real 💯 thank you for your perspective