Who Wants a Business Master's Degree (Abstract)

Who Wants a Business Master's Degree

August 2025

Overview

The landscape of GME is significantly impacted by the rising supply of—and candidate interest in—non-MBA business master’s degrees. This research brief offers insights into who prefers business master’s degrees, what they want to study, and how they navigate the decision to invest in higher education.

Quick Facts

  • Who wants a business masters degree coverThe share of candidates with no professional experience who are interested in business master’s programs has increased since 2019.
  • Candidates from Africa and the Middle East now prefer business master’s programs at higher rates than those from Western Europe—but the largest populations are still in Central and South Asia and the United States.
  • Business master’s candidates plan to finance the largest portion of their degree with support from their parents, followed by financial aid.