Tech Losing Its Shine: MBA Candidates Show Waning Interest In The Sector

Interest in technology careers is cooling among future business school students, according to the 2025 Prospective Students Survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council. The report shows that just 35% of respondents are considering careers in tech, down from 39% the year before — a 10% year-over-year decline.

While technology still ranks as the third most attractive industry — after consulting (50%) and financial services (41%) — the trendline marks a noticeable shift. Investment banking and consumer products follow at 34% and 20%, respectively.

GMAC’s annual survey, now in its 15th year, is based on responses from nearly 5,000 individuals in 147 countries. The results offer a global snapshot of how business school candidates are thinking about their education, career goals, and values.

GENDER & GENERATION GAPS WIDEN

The drop in tech interest is not uniform. Among Millennial men, 45% remain interested in the tech sector. But for Gen Z men, the figure drops to 38%. Among women, the gap is even starker: 34% of Millennial women are considering tech, compared to just 29% of Gen Z women.

Nalisha Patel, GMAC’s regional director for Europe and the Americas, says uncertainty in the sector may be to blame.

“With high-profile layoffs and the rapid evolution of AI disrupting traditional roles, many students are understandably cautious,” she says. “While technology remains a dynamic and innovative field, the perceived instability is prompting future graduates to weigh their options more carefully.”

CANDIDATES PRIORITIZE ROI & CAREER OUTCOMES

One of the most telling shifts in the report is how candidates evaluate business schools. Traditional metrics like rankings are losing ground. Only 29% of respondents cited school rankings as a top priority in 2024 — down from 37% the previous year.

Interest in artificial intelligence continues to climb, but students don’t want theory alone. Nearly half now expect their business school to offer AI-focused coursework — up significantly from just two years ago.

The appetite for in-person education is resurging. Nearly three-quarters of candidates now say they prefer campus-based programs over online or hybrid formats. Younger students, in particular, are drawn to the energy of classroom discussions, networking opportunities, and the immersive experience that comes with learning on site.

At the same time, prospective students are attaching greater weight to a school’s values. Most respondents say they care about an employer’s environmental and ethical commitments, and they want their schools to reflect similar priorities. Well-being support, diversity and inclusion efforts, and sustainability initiatives are now seen as core components of the MBA experience.

AND DON’T MISS FORGET THE RANKINGS: NEW GMAC SURVEY SHOWS WHAT DRIVES MBA DECISIONS TODAY

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