10 Essential MBA Statistics for Making Your Business School Decision

The questions of whether to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and which program to choose, require careful consideration. Data and statistics can offer crucial guidance when choosing an MBA program. A thorough understanding of program acceptance rates, tuition costs, employment trends, and other key MBA statistics helps you make an informed choice that aligns with your professional goals and personal circumstances.

Compare the insights from these ten essential MBA statistics to find programs and concentrations that match your aspirations and capabilities.

1. MBA Application and Acceptance Rates

There was a steady increase in applications to MBA programs in 2025, especially in Asia and much of Europe, with female MBA applicants outpacing male applicants. This growth is driven primarily by interest in full-time two-year programs with both in-person and online options.¹ It reflects rising interest and growth in higher business education, demonstrating just how prized MBA skills are today.

Of course, not everyone who applies to a program gets in, which highlights the need to understand each institution's unique acceptance rates and program competitiveness. Some schools, such as Harvard Business School, have MBA acceptance rates under 10%. Meanwhile, other programs have acceptance rates ranging from around 20% to over 50%.²

2. Average GMAT/GRE Scores

Many programs consider Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores in the admissions process.³ Higher GMAT scores may raise your likelihood of being accepted into graduate programs, especially those with competitive admissions processes.

Average GMAT scores for top MBA programs often surpass 730, while other programs may accept scores around 700 or waive the GMAT requirement entirely.⁴ As you research MBA programs, find out whether the ones you favor offer GMAT/GRE waivers.

3. MBA Tuition and Total Program Costs

MBA tuition costs vary by school, program format, location, and other factors. A well-established institution with an on-campus program, such as Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, will usually charge more than a newer, fully online program. If you’re considering on-campus programs, remember that you’ll need to pay for housing and transportation and/or parking, in addition to tuition and other living expenses. For example, Harvard Business School's annual cost of attendance for the 2025-2026 academic year was $126,536, including $78,700 in tuition.⁵ Meanwhile, the Online MBA program in the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University costs $1,381 per unit in the 2025-2026 academic year, totaling $96,670 for all 70 units.

4. Average MBA Student Debt

As with tuition, MBA statistics on student debt vary by each institution and program, as well as the amount of financial aid and support you can use. For example, in 2025, the average student loan debt at Harvard Business School was $93,000, but it was only $87,000 for scholarship recipients.⁶ As of 2025, master's graduates who took out student loans owe an average of $81,870, with $64,440 of that average debt attributed solely to graduate degrees.⁷

5. MBA Starting Salaries

MBA job market trends for starting salaries and salary growth differ by the roles, industries, and concentrations you're interested in. Business management roles in architecture, engineering, finance, natural sciences, and computer and information systems often yield higher starting salaries.⁸ For instance, in 2024, computer and information systems managers earned a median annual salary of $171,200. However, on average, the lowest 10%—often representing entry-level or starting salaries—earned less than $104,450.⁹

6. Program Value and Payback Period

When evaluating MBA programs, it’s essential to understand each one’s financial value and potential return. To estimate the value of an MBA program, compare program costs with your anticipated post-graduation salary and career advancement opportunities.

Beyond immediate salary increases, consider the different advantages an MBA offers: expanded professional networks, leadership development, career mobility, and access to new industries. The time needed to recover your program costs varies significantly between full-time, part-time, and online MBA formats, depending on your upfront expenses and post-MBA salary growth. While some MBA graduates may recover their tuition costs in under four years, others may need more or less time depending on their specific circumstances and career trajectories.¹⁰

7. Internship and Job Placement Rates

Internship and job placement rates are quite high for MBA graduates compared to other graduate programs, though specific MBA stats vary by institution and concentration. For instance, nearly 97% of 2022’s MBA graduates from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business received a full-time job offer within three months of graduating.¹¹

Meanwhile, about 70% of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Class of 2025 MBA graduates found internships in finance, consulting, and technology, which also ranked as the top hiring industries for previous classes.¹² Santa Clara University's Online MBA program demonstrates very strong outcomes, with 92% of alumni reporting salary increases within six months of graduation¹³—a testament to the program's focus on career advancement and real-world impact.

8. Popular MBA Concentrations

When researching MBA employment statistics, look into other students' concentrations and areas of focus. Comparing concentration popularity with other MBA trends helps you identify the most in-demand roles and skills in the job market.

The most popular MBA concentrations and specializations include:¹⁴

• Finance
• Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Business analytics
• Consulting
• General management
• International business
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Supply chain management
• Healthcare management
• Human resource (HR) management

9. Diversity in MBA Programs

Programs that value diversity bring together students and alumni—your professional network—with varied perspectives and backgrounds, which enriches your learning experience. MBA stats reflect growth in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rates:¹⁵

• At least an 8% increase in students from underrepresented ethnic groups across all business education levels
• A 5% increase in female MBA student representation
• A 100% increase in Hispanic student representation in MBA and specialized master's programs

10. Growth of Online MBA Enrollment

While many business students and professionals still prefer on-campus education, demand for online MBA programs has increased significantly in recent years. Much of this increase was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted many careers and educational paths into the digital realm.¹⁶ Hybrid and remote learning formats offer flexibility and autonomy that most traditional programs can't provide.

MBA stats indicate that enrollment in online master's programs doubled between 2020 and 2024, now representing 28% of MBA enrollment. Additionally, the pandemic introduced multimodal, blended, and hybrid models that now represent 20% of MBA enrollment.¹⁶

Transform Your Career with Data-Driven Confidence

The statistics above provide valuable context for your MBA decision, but numbers only tell part of the story. The right program should align with your professional ambitions and personal values, preparing you not just for your next role, but for a lifetime of meaningful leadership.

Led by highly accomplished faculty experts, Santa Clara University's Online MBA program combines the innovation and entrepreneurial mindset of Silicon Valley with a commitment to ethical, purpose-driven leadership. Whether you're aiming to advance in marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, or data analytics, you'll develop the strategic skills and principled decision-making abilities that distinguish exceptional leaders from the rest.

With five specialized concentrations—including Data Science and Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Leading Innovative Organizations, and Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation—you can tailor your education to your specific career goals. The program's flexible online format allows you to maintain career momentum while you study, and you'll benefit from Santa Clara's extensive network of alumni working at leading companies like Google, Apple, Tesla, and beyond.

The results speak for themselves: 92% of Santa Clara Online MBA alumni report salary increases within six months of graduation.¹³ But the true value extends far beyond immediate compensation. You'll join a community of forward-thinking professionals who draw on Silicon Valley's culture of innovation while leading with integrity and purpose—skills that will serve you throughout your career, regardless of how your path evolves.

Don’t wait to take the next step. Explore Santa Clara University's Online MBA program and course information, and schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn how this program can accelerate your career trajectory.