Indian Students Fuel Global MBA Application Spike in 2024

Updated: March 28, 2025 23:29

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In 2024, international applications to graduate business school programs saw a noteworthy 12% boost, halting a two-year downturn. The surge was particularly fueled by a revival in full-time, campus-based MBA programs, with almost 60% of such programs recording an increase.

Key Highlights:

Domestic Application Growth: The overall increase in applications was driven significantly by domestic candidates. For example, in the United States, applications to MBA programs increased by 12%, while full-time, in-person degrees saw a 32% rise—the largest in a decade. This increase is due to reasons like a white-collar employment market cooling and the changing effect of artificial intelligence on the job market.
Indian Universities' Attraction: Indian universities also saw a 12% rise in applications for the MBA course, reflecting an increasing inclination among Indian students toward pursuing business studies at home. This follows the overall trend worldwide for applicants to go for courses near their locations, particularly in times of economic instability.
Shift in Destinations for Studies: Although the United States retained its status as a leading destination for international business students, other destinations declined. The United Kingdom, for instance, recorded a 45% decline in domestic applications and a 12% decline in international applications, perhaps because of the rise of high-quality educational products in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Increased Female Participation: Women's applications to graduate business programs rose to 42% in 2024, up from a consistent 40% over the past decade. Notably, approximately 70% of flexible MBA programs and nearly two-thirds of full-time MBA programs reported a surge in female applicants, strengthening the pipeline for future female business leaders.

This new interest in MBA programs highlights the flexibility of business schools in responding to changing student and global employment needs.

Sources: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Press Release, Wall Street Journal, NewsMeter, Business Today, India Today

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