Read GMAC's Recruiter Survey
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) publishes an annual survey of recruiters. The 2025 edition, released in July 2025, is based on responses from more than 1,100 recruiters and hiring managers, collected from January to March 2025. It indicates that proficiency with artificial intelligence tools is more highly valued than a year earlier, for both current and future roles.
According to the summary for deans, most employers believe that skills gained through management education are more valuable today because new technologies require greater business acumen. They also believe these skills matter more in remote and hybrid work settings.
GMAC is an association connected to business schools: it administers the GMAT exam. Its surveys are rigorous, but the organization has an interest in showing that demand remains strong. Reading the full survey, which provides numerical hiring intentions, is necessary to go beyond the summary.
Note What the Survey Does Not Provide
The pages consulted for this article publish neither the share of employers planning to hire MBA graduates nor starting salary amounts. GMAC states only that MBA and management master's graduates in the United States are expected to receive higher starting salaries in 2025 than in 2024, in both current and constant dollars, without providing an amount in the summary.
This absence of figures matters. A student who reads “rising salary” without an amount does not know the starting level or the type of employer involved. Schools publish employment reports with median salaries, but their methods vary: response rates, currency, and whether bonuses are included.
When a school cites an average salary, ask for the median, the response rate and the share of graduates working in the target sector. Also ask whether the amount includes bonuses and signing bonuses, which can represent a significant share of first-year compensation and do not recur.
Put the MBA in the Context of Employment Statistics
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) mentions the MBA in two places. For top executives, it notes that executives at large corporations may hold a master's degree in business administration; however, the typical entry-level education is a bachelor's degree, along with extensive experience. Their projected employment growth is 5% between 2025 and 2035, and their median salary was US$108,780 in May 2025.
For management analysts, the BLS projects 10% growth over the same period, with a median salary of US$101,860 in May 2025. It indicates that a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education and that some employers prefer candidates with an MBA.
These data show that the MBA is an asset depending on the employer, not a general entry requirement. They also describe entire occupations, not MBA graduates.
Compare Job Profiles in a Table
The following table presents the BLS data that mention the MBA. It does not measure the degree's effect on salary: the medians cover everyone working in these roles.
| Occupation (United States) | Growth 2025-2035 | Median salary, May 2025 | BLS mention of the MBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top executives | 5% | US$108,780 | Possible for executives at large corporations |
| Management analysts | 10% | US$101,860 | Preferred by some employers |
The distinction between “possible” and “preferred” is worth noting. In neither case does the BLS indicate that an MBA is required. Actual job postings in the target region and sector provide more detailed information than the national average. For top executives, the BLS also emphasizes experience: the degree is a complement, not the key to entry.
Choose Between Study Formats
Schools offer several formats: full-time study lasting one to two years, part-time evening or weekend study, executive formats, and online or hybrid programs. Each format suits a different profile.
Full-time study offers immersion, a more closely connected alumni network and often an internship, but requires an interruption in income. Part-time study allows students to keep a job and immediately apply what they learn, at the cost of a longer program. Executive programs are intended for people who already have experience. Online programs reduce travel costs.
The sources consulted do not provide a numerical comparison of employment outcomes across these formats. Ask schools for statistics specific to each program, and check that the data correspond to the intended format.
Consider the Alternatives
The MBA is not the only route to management positions. A specialized master's degree in finance, operations management, marketing or business analytics leads more directly to a specific role, often in less time and at a lower cost. A professional certificate can complement an existing degree. An internal promotion, supported by targeted training paid for by the employer, is also common. None of the sources consulted compares employment outcomes for these pathways with those of the MBA: the choice therefore depends on the specific position being sought.
Here are some questions to help you decide:
- does the target position require an MBA, or merely prefer it?
- what degrees do people already holding this position at the target company have?
- does your current employer fund education or training?
- what share of the total cost (tuition fees, lost income) is covered by financial aid?
Calculate the Total Cost Before Committing
The cost of an MBA includes tuition fees, but also salary lost during full-time study, housing, travel expenses and interest on any loan. The sources consulted do not publish an average cost that is comparable across countries, and amounts vary considerably between schools.
A simple calculation involves adding up these costs, then comparing them with a realistic increase in income in the target position, using salary data specific to that role and region. If the payback period extends beyond several years, the risk is high.
For an international student, the cost also includes immigration fees and uncertainty about the right to stay and work after graduation, which depends on rules that may change.
What About Canada?
Several Canadian universities offer an MBA in a range of formats: full-time, part-time and executive. Business schools publish their admission requirements, fees and, sometimes, employment reports. Tuition fees for international students are generally higher than those for residents, and each institution lists them on its program page.
StudyCanada features, among others, the MBA at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and McGill University's joint Executive MBA. Experience and admission test requirements can be found on each program's page. Several programs accept the GMAT or an equivalent test, and some require several years of professional experience; these requirements must be checked program by program, as they are not uniform.