Motivations for Considering an MBA Program
The primary motivations for getting an MBA are about the same for men and women. The most noticeable differences in motivation are seen in the lower items on the table, particularly career advancement, salary, and starting a business.
Career advancement is a motivation for considering an MBA for 41% of men surveyed, as opposed to 35% of the women. This difference corresponds to research that suggests that women are more adverse to taking risks than men.
Other noticeable differences are that salary, and starting a business are more common motivations for men than women. Salary is a motivation for 33% of the men surveyed, but only 26% of the women. Using an MBA to start a business is a motivation for 32% of the men, compared to 25% of the women.
Program Length Preferences
While survey data shows that women are more willing than men to take lower paid jobs in exchange for better work life balance, female MBA applicants are only slightly more inclined than men to choose a longer MBA program.
Study Mode Preferences
Women show more of a preference for part-time and other non full-time MBA programs compared to men.
For more insights into the differences between male and female MBA applicants, check out the QS MBA Applicant Survey.
The TopMBA Connect team is located in New York City, a key hotspot for social entrepreneurship, technology and the international business community. 