First Generation Students in the Graduate Management Education Pipeline

Overview

This research brief provides insights on first-generation candidates in graduate management education including data on their motivations, financial plans, and barriers to pursuing higher education. These findings can help business school professionals to better understand and support this population of business school students.

The brief draws upon GMAC’s 2022 Prospective Students Survey data as well as expert insights to glean a closer look into how schools might most appropriately support first-generation students in graduate management education.

Quick Facts

• Thirty-one percent of global candidates are classified as first-generation students, defined as candidates whose parents’ highest level of education attainment did not exceed an associate degree. 
• Over a third of first-generation students are from an underrepresented population in the US (38% first-generation students). 
• First-generation students are likelier to say their ability to pursue GME is impacted moderately, or significantly, by their current debt level (39% first-generation vs. 29% non-first generation).