Guide on MBA in Digital Marketing vs MBA in Marketing – 2025 Updated

If you’re trying to decide between an MBA in Digital Marketing vs Marketing, you’re in the right place!

An MBA is highly regarded in India and has long been a dream for many students. Over time, however, courses have evolved, and today, there’s an interesting debate brewing around MBA in Digital Marketing vs Marketing.

The reason for this shift? MBA programs are designed not just to impart subject knowledge but also to equip students with skills for managing, leading, and adapting to real-world business challenges.

As the world changes, so do the career opportunities, which makes the choice between traditional Marketing and the more modern Digital Marketing even more important.

Even though the preference for MBAs has fluctuated in recent years, the degree remains a cornerstone of India’s education system.

So, if you’re aiming to pursue an MBA and are torn between specializing in Digital Marketing or Marketing, this blog is exactly what you need.

We’ll take a deep dive into both specializations, providing key details to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals.

Also, if you’re curious, check out our list of MBA Specialisations in India for more insights.

When it comes to Digital Marketing and Marketing, both aim to promote and advertise a company’s products, services, and brand.

However, they take different approaches to achieve that goal, and that’s where the real difference lies.

While an MBA in Marketing has been around for years and is well-established, an MBA in Digital Marketing is a newer addition that has quickly gained popularity, thanks to the growing importance of digital channels in today’s business world.

So, let’s break down both options in detail and help you figure out which one suits your career ambitions!

What is an MBA in Digital Marketing?

An MBA in Digital Marketing is a post-graduation course, generally, a 2-year program, which teaches students all the disciplines of Digital Marketing, ie, to market products and services through all digital channels.

It prepares them to take up responsibilities and operations at the mid-senior managerial level under the Digital Marketing umbrella.

Most of the institutes offer internships and practical projects to further train you intensely in every real-world business scenario.

What is an MBA in Marketing?

An MBA in Marketing is a postgraduate program that focuses on traditional marketing methods and channels, typically spanning two years.

While the marketing landscape has evolved, these traditional channels remain highly relevant today, making this a competitive and dynamic field that demands creativity and innovation.

Both an MBA in Marketing and an MBA in Digital Marketing aim to achieve the same goal—promoting a company’s products, services, and brand.

However, they use entirely different strategies and approaches to get there. When choosing between the two, it’s important to consider your strengths and which channels resonate more with your interests.

The basic eligibility requirement for both specializations is a graduation degree from a recognized university, though specific criteria may vary depending on the institution.

If you do not currently meet the eligibility criteria for an MBA but wish to pursue Digital Marketing and start early in your career, check out this industry-preferred Online Digital Marketing Course.

MBA in Digital Marketing vs Marketing: Scope

The internet has truly revolutionized the world, and India is no exception. People from all walks of life are active online, engaging with various social media platforms.

Online shopping and entertainment are now a regular part of daily life, and this trend is growing faster than ever.

Here’s a statistic that highlights the impressive growth in the number of internet users in India:

Source: Google Trends

As a marketer, it’s crucial to go where your potential customers are spending their time. Connecting the dots, Digital Marketing is here to stay—and it’s easy to see why.

It’s an incredibly effective tool that allows marketers to reach global audiences and target larger markets at a much lower cost. This is one of the key reasons why the scope of digital marketing in India is incredibly promising.

The growing demand for digital marketing professionals directly highlights the bright future of an MBA in Digital Marketing.

With an MBA in Digital Marketing, you can not only help businesses boost their online presence but also learn how to generate income by optimizing content, running targeted ads, and driving customer engagement.

For example, you could deepen your expertise by taking an Instagram marketing course with certification, an email marketing course, or even a conversion rate optimization course with a certificate.

These additional skills will enhance your career prospects and make you a more competitive candidate in the field.

On the other hand, an MBA in Marketing in India also holds significant promise. As one of the oldest and most established specializations in management studies, marketing remains the powerhouse of any organization.

If you have a passion for entertainment, sales, and traditional marketing activities, this could be the right course for you.

With an MBA in Marketing, you can secure high-paying, senior positions within top organizations. While the traditional MBA in Marketing continues to be highly valued, it’s clear that the scope of Digital Marketing is expanding faster and more dynamically.

In conclusion, both MBA specializations offer strong and encouraging career opportunities.

However, with the rapid growth of the digital space, Digital Marketing is picking up speed, making it a compelling option for those looking to excel in today’s fast-paced, online-driven world.

MBA in Digital Marketing vs Marketing: Syllabus

The MBA in Digital Marketing syllabus focuses on all the digital channels and aspects that a digital marketer must be conscious of. The following modules make up for it:

1. Inbound Marketing 

• Introduction to Digital Marketing
• Website Creation
• Search Marketing

2. Outbound Marketing

• Content Marketing
• Social Media Marketing & Management
• Video Marketing

3. Media Management & Automation 

• More forms of Digital Marketing
• Integrated Marketing

4. Managerial Skills and Soft Skills 

• Soft Skills
• Agency Skills

5. Compulsory Internship & Thesis

• 2-Month Compulsory Internship
• Capstone Project

The syllabus of an MBA in Marketing stresses more on conventional/traditional marketing activities and channels with an emphasis on the overall marketing sphere. A brief overview of digital aspects is also included, as it is the need of the hour.

The following modules are generally covered:

1. Consumer Behaviour
2. Marketing Management
3. Email Marketing Course
4. Retailing
5. E-commerce
6. Managerial economics
7. Brand Management
8. Marketing Research
9. Salesforce Management
10. Operations Management
11. Forecasting and Modeling

MBA in Digital Marketing vs Marketing: Career Opportunities

As previously mentioned, if you graduate with an MBA in Digital Marketing or Marketing, both will help you land jobs directly at the mid-senior managerial level.

So, let’s take a look at some job designations that you can opt for with an MBA in Digital Marketing:

• Digital Marketing Manager
• Social Media Manager
• Brand Manager
• Client Servicing Manager
• Content Marketer
• Paid Media Expert
• SEO Expert
• Business Development Manager
• Media Strategist, etc

Must Check Out: Careers After an MBA in Digital Marketing

Now, let’s look at some of the job profiles you can apply for with an MBA in Marketing:

• Sales Manager
• Market Analyst
• Marketing Manager
• Business Development Executive
• Brand Manager
• Media Planner
• Product Planner
• Customer Relationship Management
• TV Producer, etc

MBA in Digital Marketing vs Marketing: Salary

The digital marketing industry is very well-paying but only for those who want to stay updated with the new advancements and latest trends of the industry.

It is important to be able to climb the corporate ladder.

The average starting salary for a Digital Marketing Manager is around 6+ LPA. And with 3 or more years of work experience, you can expect it to go as high as 10+LPA.

Source: Ambitionbox

For more insights on salaries for different digital marketing roles, you can refer to this article on Digital Marketing Salary in India.

Digital Marketing is a part of the marketing sphere. Naturally, the marketing roles are also well-paying and it varies on the job profile you apply for and the level of responsibility that is levied.

As an MBA graduate in marketing, the average salary of a marketing manager is approximately 5-6 LPA. Further jumps in salary and designations highly depend on the performance and the targets achieved.

Source: Ambitionbox

Also Read: MBA Salary in India For All Specialisations

MBA in Digital Marketing vs Marketing: Best Institutes 

Top Institutes offering an MBA in Digital Marketing in India

• IIDE – The Digital School, Mumbai – IIDE has introduced a postgraduate diploma in digital marketing, which is an upbeat version of the traditional MBA structure. It is a program that gives intense hands-on experience around digital as well as managerial skills, just like an MBA in just 11 months. It also includes a compulsory 2-month internship and 100% guaranteed placements. For working professionals, it also offers an option to choose weekend batches. IIDE is also known for offering the best digital marketing course with placement in India.
• IIKM, Business School, Chennai
• Suryadatta Institute of Business Management, Pune
• RIMT University, Punjab
• Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Top Institutes offering an MBA in Marketing in India

• Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bangalore
• SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai
• Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi
• NIILM Centre for Management Studies, Delhi
• MIT School of Business, Pune

Many institutes and colleges also offer a PGDM in Marketing. You can check with the institute.