MBA unemployment

Topic

A significant increase in unemployment for graduates of top MBA programs, discussed as a trend reflecting a shift in the economy and the declining value of the degree.


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7/26/2025, 5:27:25 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

7/26/2025, 5:58:21 AM

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7/26/2025, 5:58:21 AM

Summary

MBA unemployment is a growing concern, with discussions highlighting its rise, particularly among graduates from prestigious institutions such as Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, Harvard, and Stanford. This increase is primarily attributed to the disruptive influence of Artificial Intelligence on traditional middle management roles, leading to a perceived decline in the value of conventional degrees and signaling a significant transformation in the future of higher education. Despite these concerns, some data indicates a nuanced market, with MBA job postings showing modest growth between October 2023 and October 2024, and an increasing percentage of companies hiring MBA graduates from 2019 to 2024, suggesting a complex and evolving employment landscape for MBA holders.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Consequence

    Declining value of traditional degrees

  • Primary Cause of Rising Unemployment

    AI's impact on middle management

  • Companies Hiring Recent MBA Graduates (2019)

    76%

  • Companies Hiring Recent MBA Graduates (2024)

    92%

  • Change in MBA Job Postings (Oct 2023 - Oct 2024)

    +35.6%

  • Companies Hiring Recent College Graduates (2019)

    96%

  • Companies Hiring Recent College Graduates (2024)

    79%

  • Harvard Class of 2022 Unemployment (3-month mark)

    10%

  • Harvard Class of 2023 Unemployment (3-month mark)

    20%

  • Harvard Class of 2024 Unemployment (3-month mark)

    23%

  • Change in Total Job Openings (Oct 2023 - Oct 2024)

    -10.8%

  • Business School Deans expecting competitively priced MBAs to dominate (2021)

    49%

  • Business School Deans expecting competitively priced MBAs to dominate (2024)

    61%

Timeline
  • 76% of companies were hiring or planning to hire recent MBA graduates. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2019-01-01

  • 96% of companies maintained or increased their hiring of recent college graduates. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2019-01-01

  • 49% of business school deans predicted competitively priced MBAs from strong brands would dominate the market. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2021-01-01

  • Harvard Class of 2022 experienced 10% unemployment at the three-month mark post-graduation. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2022-01-01

  • Harvard Class of 2023 experienced 20% unemployment at the three-month mark post-graduation. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2023-01-01

  • Between October 2023 and October 2024, total job openings fell by 10.8%. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2023-10-01

  • Between October 2023 and October 2024, MBA job postings increased by 35.6%. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2023-10-01

  • Harvard Class of 2024 experienced 23% unemployment at the three-month mark post-graduation. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2024-01-01

  • 79% of companies maintained or increased their hiring of recent college graduates. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2024-01-01

  • 92% of companies were hiring or planning to hire recent MBA graduates. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2024-01-01

  • 61% of business school deans predicted competitively priced MBAs from strong brands would dominate the market. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2024-01-01

Kellogg School of Management

The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management (branded as Northwestern Kellogg) is the graduate business school of Northwestern University, a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1908, it is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world, known for its excellence in management education, thought leadership, and global impact.

Web Search Results
  • The Dichotomy of MBA Employment: Rising Unemployment, Solid ...

    At Harvard, 23% of the Class of 2024 were unemployed at the three-month mark, up from 20% the previous year and just 10% in 2022. Over at

  • Is The MBA Poised For A Rebound? New Research Finds Upward ...

    Over the past 18 months, the labor market has tightened, leading to a modest improvement in job postings for MBAs, although they remain well below the levels of early 2022. While total job openings have steadily decreased since early 2022, MBA job postings seem to have reached their lowest point and are now experiencing modest growth. Between October 2023 and October 2024, total job openings fell by 10.8%, whereas MBA job postings increased by 35.6%. [...] Schools seem to be responding to this message. In 2024, 61% of business school deans said competitively priced MBAs from strong brands would dominate the market, up from 49% in 2021. #### JOB MARKET AND HIRING TRENDS The headlines from 2024’s MBA employment reports have been been nothing short of bleak: [...] This research shows that the MBA can be a competitive advantage in a tight jobs market. From 2019 to 2024, the share of companies that either maintained or increased their hiring of recent college graduates fell from 96% to 79%. During the same period, the percentage of companies hiring or planning to hire recent MBA graduates increased from 76% to 92%. See the full report here.

  • MBA and Job Market Trends: Is Now the Right Time for an MBA

    The global job market has been through significant turbulence over the last two years. According to insights from admissions experts and alumni conversations at top B-schools like INSEAD, LBS, and Columbia, even high-achieving MBA grads are finding it tough to land jobs immediately post-graduation. As one alum noted, it’s not just about having a strong profile anymore — it’s about being strategically positioned in the right geography and having the right network. Key Challenges in the Market: [...] As the debate around MBA vs Job Market intensifies, leading business schools have been quick to adapt. Recognizing the shifting employment landscape, B-schools are enhancing their programs to boost student outcomes both during and after graduation. Curriculum Innovations in 2025 Modern MBA curricula are no longer static. Here’s how top schools are evolving to meet current demands: Support Systems That Matter [...] This blog breaks down the current dynamics between the MBA and the global job market — offering clear, data-backed insights to help you make an informed, future-proof decision. Here is the Snapshot of the article: Current Global Job Market Landscape

  • What Can You Do with an MBA in Today's Market?

    The benefits of getting an MBA extend beyond a piece of paper. It can transform your professional potential. Particularly in our interconnected and interdependent global economy, the MBA job outlook is strong. The percent of companies hiring MBA grads grew from 76% in 2019 to 92% in 2024, according to a January 2025 report from Validated Insights, a marketing firm in higher education. It’s proof that demand for the skilled leaders and strategic thinkers that MBAs produce continues to grow. This [...] These hot jobs for MBA graduates from U.S. News & World Report are representative of the diverse MBA career opportunities out there: Many of those positions and others like them are in demand across industries, underscoring the positive MBA job outlook. [...] Nobody likes unpredictability and uncertainty — especially if you’re planning your professional future. Those two dynamics drive today’s job market and overall economy. Accelerating technology advancements like AI, ever-shifting global dynamics and oft-changing governmental priorities, to name a few, can derail the best-laid career plans. How can you offset these forces and future-proof your career? With an MBA.

  • Data Dive: 2024 MBA Salaries, Bonuses & Job Placement Rates At ...

    MBA Watch Logo MBA Watch Logo MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor MBA Watch Sponsor P&Q LogoP&Q Logo P&Q Logo