MBA hiring remains strong amid AI integration: survey
VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES — A new survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reveals that 76% of corporate recruiters and hiring managers plan to hire the same number or more Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates in 2025 compared to 2024.
The survey, which included 1,108 respondents from 46 countries, underscores the enduring value of business school graduates as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to business strategy.
Strategic thinking and versatility in high demand
The survey highlights that 90% of employers intend to hire MBA talent, outpacing demand for candidates with only bachelor’s degrees or those transitioning from other organizations.
Problem-solving and strategic thinking emerged as the most sought-after skills among employers.
“As AI becomes more integral in a company’s decision-making and strategy development, employers continue to turn to business school graduates for their versatility and strategic thinking, along with growing appreciation for their ability to innovate and navigate the challenges and opportunities of technological disruption,” said Graduate Management Admission Council CEO Joy Jones.
Nearly two-thirds of employers agreed that the skills acquired through a graduate business degree are more critical than ever, especially as companies adopt new technologies.
This is in contrast with recent reports from prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School (HBS) and Stanford that revealed an increase in unemployment rates among new MBA graduates.
Moreover, the CEO of Standard Chartered, Bill Winters, has sparked debate by declaring his MBA “a waste of time” and emphasizing that the skills he learned in college have “degraded, degraded, degraded” over the past 40 years.
Communication and adaptability also valued
More than half of global employers cited communication skills as a key hiring criterion. Emotional intelligence and adaptability were also frequently mentioned as important attributes for new hires.
Tech sector employers showed particular confidence in the relevance of business degrees for flexible work environments.
Fifty-five percent agreed or strongly agreed that business school skills are increasingly important for organizations with remote or hybrid work arrangements.
Additionally, 57% of tech employers indicated they value graduates of online or hybrid MBA programs just as highly as those from traditional in-person programs.
