Student demand for an MBA grew by 11% over the last year—but that might not be good news for the state of the U.S. economy

Harvard Business School students sit in rows, with caps and gowns, during commencement ceremony. (Credit: Getty Images)

A new report shows there is surging student demand for an MBA degree. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of total applications to U.S. MBA programs rose by a staggering 11%. That’s after two consecutive years of declines, according to a survey released by the Graduation Management Admissions Council (GMAC).

Full-time MBAs experienced the largest share of growth in the past decade, with 80% of two-year programs worldwide experiencing application increases. Moreover, two-thirds of flexible and online MBA programs saw application upticks globally.