India Today reported that MBA graduates are earning more than engineers in the job market, and that headline can make you second-guess your degree plan fast. But the question is not which group got a better number in one article. The question is what kind of work you want to do, how quickly you want to get hired, and whether your next step should be a degree, a project, or a job search.
The better degree is the one that matches the work you can do well, not the headline that sounds strongest.
What this headline is really saying
When a salary story goes viral, it usually hides three things.
First, pay is not the same as fit. An MBA can lead you toward sales, consulting, product, operations, and general management. Engineering can lead you toward software, manufacturing, data, design, and many other technical roles. These are different jobs with different hiring rules.
Second, your first job matters more than the label on your degree. A strong placement, a good internship, or a solid portfolio can change how employers read your profile. An ATS (an applicant tracking system) scans your CV before a human sees it, so your skills, projects, and keywords still matter a lot.
Third, headlines often compare averages, but you are not applying to an average. You are applying as a person with a specific scorecard: your marks, internships, communication, coding, case skills, language level, location, and willingness to start in a certain role.
So do not ask, “Should I stop engineering and do an MBA?” Ask, “What job am I trying to get in the next 12 to 24 months?”
Choose the path that matches the work you want
If you like building things, solving technical problems, or working with products and systems, engineering can still be a strong path. If you want to move into business roles, talk to clients, manage teams, or work across functions, an MBA may fit better.
That sounds simple, but students often choose a degree for the wrong reason. They choose it because seniors said so, parents said so, or salary news made them nervous.
Use this test instead:
Pick the degree that fits your daily work style
Think about what you would actually do on a normal workday.
- Do you want to spend time on analysis, presentations, budgets, and decisions across departments? MBA roles may suit you.
- Do you want to spend time on code, systems, machines, models, or technical problem-solving? Engineering roles may suit you.
- Do you want a mix of both? Then look at product management, operations, business analytics, industrial management, or technical consulting.
If you are already studying engineering, you do not need to abandon it because of one salary headline. You may be better off adding internships, certifications, projects, and communication practice. If you are considering an MBA, do not assume it is a shortcut. A weak MBA from the wrong college can still lead to a weak job outcome.
Check the market before you change your plan
A degree only helps if there is demand for the roles you want.
If you are in India, start by looking at the roles companies actually hire for in your city and in your target sector. If you are thinking about Germany, the rule is similar: look at the role, not just the degree name. For a broader view of where hiring is moving, read Germany's Job Market in 2026: Where the Opportunities Are.
If you are an engineer and want to work in Germany, do not assume the path is closed. Many employers care more about your specialization, language level, and practical experience than the exact title on your diploma. If that route interests you, see Engineering Jobs in Germany for International Talent.
If you are thinking about a master's after your bachelor's, use it for a purpose. A master's can help if it gives you a clearer path into a role, a country, or a network. It is less useful if you choose it only because you feel behind. Our guide on Master's in Germany for International Students: The 2026 Playbook can help you think through that decision.
Build proof before you chase pay
Salary headlines can make students focus on degree status. Employers usually focus on proof.
Proof means you can do the work.
For an engineer, proof can be a GitHub project, a design file, a lab report, a working prototype, or internship work. For an MBA student, proof can be a live case project, a sales internship, a market analysis, a finance model, or a club leadership role with real outcomes.
If you are aiming for Germany, proof matters even more because many employers expect clear evidence of skills and job readiness. If you are a student or recent graduate from outside Germany, read Breaking into the German job market as an international student.
What to fix in your CV this week
Do this before you send more applications:
- Replace task lists with outcomes.
- Show tools, methods, and results.
- Add one line for every internship or project that explains what you did and why it mattered.
- Put the most relevant skills near the top.
- Match your CV words to the job description so the ATS can find them.
If you are looking for part-time work in Germany while studying, pay and rules matter too. Our guide on Werkstudent Salary in Germany: 2026 Pay, Tax, and Rules will help you understand the practical side.
Make your next step on purpose
You do not need to react to every salary headline with a new degree plan. You need a decision that fits your profile.
Use this quick check before you spend money or time on another course.
What should you choose first?
If you are still unsure, start smaller than a full degree change. Talk to one recruiter, one recent graduate, and one senior in the role you want. Then compare what they say with the actual openings you can find.
If you want a wider view of pay and role types in Germany, compare the job families in Average Salary in Germany by Profession (2026).
The goal is not to “beat” engineers or MBAs. The goal is to choose a path that gets you hired for work you can do well, and that you can grow into.
