According to a new study by MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance, in the two-year period of 2016-2017 the interest for part-time MBA programs surged. At the same time, full-time programs experienced a significant drop in popularity.
Full-time MBA programs showed an increase in opportunity by 36.5%, while last year the percentage was 41%, Poets&Quants reports. At the same time, part-time programs went from 22% to 35% in a year. For specialized master’s programs at business schools the growth was even more significant – from 33% to 41%.
This data showing the rising popularity of part-time and specialized programs is not very surprising. However, the decrease of opportunities for full-time MBA programs is worrying. The study showed that it’s the full-time MBA that has seen the biggest drop in on-campus opportunities.
On-Campus Employment Interest
Compared to other companies (small, medium and large), startups have shown the biggest growth in full-time MBA recruiting. 47.3% of business schools reported growth of startup interest towards the graduates of their MBA programs. Still, this rate has decreased a little since last year, when it was 50%. The second rate of employer interest is provided by medium-sized companies (44.9%), much more than last year’s 34%. For small-sized firms, the interest has increased from 29% to 37%.
International Hiring
Another interesting piece of information from the annual survey covers the data on international hiring. The study showed that full-time jobs for full-time international MBAs have dropped for 68%, and job opportunities for international specialized master’s students for 40%. The data is mostly provided by U.S. business schools (more than 75%).
This would be the result of the new presidential immigration policy, which caused visa complications for many prospective students. Europe has experienced a similar drop. As the Trump administration is already considering restricting visas for Chinese students, U.S. business schools and employers should prepare to a massive drop in popularity.
Chinese students are the most lucrative source of cash for business schools, as they are not entitled to most scholarships and fellowships; hence, they almost always pay the full price of the tuition fee. For American business schools, their popularity among Chinese students has always been a blessing.
Most survey respondents are full-time MBA programs from the top-50 list of world business schools. However, the survey does not disclose the ranking they used for that information. The research was completed in this year’s January.
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