Does an MBA Boost Employability? Top Benefits of an MBA to an Employer

The MBA is consistently ranked as the world’s most popular graduate degree.¹ That popularity can largely be attributed to three factors: increased compensation, leadership opportunities and versatility.² The potential for increased salary, more senior positions and the ability to use an MBA’s broad foundational training to pivot to a new career—these collectively form the basis of a powerful ROI for MBA graduates.

But what are the benefits of an MBA to an employer? The benefits to MBA graduates are relatively clear, but what of the companies that employ them? This blog examines that question more closely, considering the skills and abilities that consistently recommend MBA grads to hiring managers across all industries.

Do Employers Care About an MBA in Today’s Market?

Yes. Employers continue to value MBAs, and salary data suggests MBA graduates command a premium in the job market. The Graduate Management Admission Council’s (GMAC) annual Corporate Recruiters Survey consistently finds that MBA graduates tend to earn higher starting salaries than candidates following other qualification pathways.³

For example, the 2026 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey estimates that the median starting salary for MBA grads is $120,000.³ This compares very favorably to the survey’s finding that the median starting salary for experienced, direct-from-industry hires is $107,500.³ And it looks even better compared to the survey’s estimate of $82,500 for median starting salaries for non-MBA business master’s graduates.³

Employers pay this premium for MBA graduates because of the combination of skills they gain from their degree program. Specifically, corporate recruiters told the GMAC survey the skills they most value are communication, problem-solving, adaptability, data analysis, strategic thinking and interpersonal skills.³

An MBA program provides a broad grounding in core business functions, ranging from accounting to operations and marketing. At the same time, MBA graduates are developing and refining high-level soft skills. These will include leadership and management techniques, advanced presentation skills and an understanding of how to create and drive strategic plans.

How Does an MBA Benefit a Company Directly?

An MBA can benefit a company by preparing leaders to make complex strategic decisions, solve business problems across functions and manage organizations at scale. Some of the world’s most prominent CEOs have followed that path: Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Google CEO Sundar Pichai all hold MBAs. All told, GMAC estimates more than 20% of the world’s CEOs are MBA graduates.⁴ Expand that to the full spectrum of C-suite leadership positions, and Fortune magazine estimates 46% of corporate leaders hold MBAs.⁵

These executives offer examples of the kind of strategic leadership associated with senior management roles. Their careers also illustrate the kind of high-level strategic thinking and decision-making many companies expect from senior leaders.

Under Tim Cook, Apple has advanced the legacy of its visionary founder, Steve Jobs. Cook’s leadership has seen Apple become the world’s first company to break a $1 trillion valuation on the stock market.⁶ And then he made it the first $2 trillion company.⁶

At Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai is credited with the vision for developing Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser. And he famously recognized the future of tech way back in 2016, when he announced Google would be an “AI-first company.”⁷

High-level strategic thinking and problem-solving that lead to improved team performance and company revenue are hallmarks of the MBA graduate’s work.

Top Benefits of an MBA to an Employer

Increased salary, better benefits, networking opportunities and attractive job prospects: the pros of getting an MBA are quite clear. But what about the pros of hiring an MBA? How does an MBA benefit a company?

The principal benefit for companies is that MBA graduates will typically be trained in the most relevant skills.⁷ The latest business analytics techniques or the smartest ways to use AI, for example. They are trained to think strategically, with an understanding of each core business function and how it contributes to overall productivity. Hiring an MBA graduate can also mean the potential to hire their professional network, which will include their cohort of peers from their MBA program, faculty and alumni.

But the bottom line is the bottom line. MBA graduates drive innovation, operational efficiency and generally better business.

For example, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took over leadership of the company in 2014, when its best days appeared well behind it. He reinvigorated the company with a renewed focus (on cloud computing) and a buying spree (Microsoft gobbled up LinkedIn, GitHub and Minecraft’s parent company in the first four years of Nadella’s leadership). In 2015, just a year into his tenure as CEO, Nadella had guided Microsoft to a 60% increase in its stock market valuation since he took over the company. CNN asked, “Is Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella better than Bill Gates?”⁸

Today, Nadella is credited with implementing a profound cultural shift at Microsoft, successfully promoting empathy, collaboration and a growth mindset.⁹ The company’s stock market valuation has soared past $3 trillion.

Long-Term Benefits of an MBA Program for Career Growth

The primary benefits of an MBA program are the skills graduates acquire. The wide range of things you can do with an MBA can largely be attributed to the degree’s focus on leadership and management skills and a thorough understanding of core business functions and processes.

These skills can be further refined with concentrations or specializations. For example, the Online MBA from William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business includes core courses in business analytics, accounting, finance and marketing. Students also choose from one of nine specializations, augmenting their core skills with an in-depth focus on Artificial Intelligence for Business Leaders, Marketing Analytics & Insights, Marketing Innovation, Modern Integrated Marketing Communications, Accounting, Tax Planning & Strategy, Corporate Finance, Investment Management or Real Estate Finance.

Further, MBA graduates derive ongoing value from the network of peers, faculty and alumni that they build during their program. These relationships form the basis of continuous professional development and lifelong learning that provides ongoing benefit to both the MBA graduate and their employer.

Advance Your Career With the William & Mary Mason Online MBA 

The MBA is the most popular graduate degree for good reason. It consistently provides employers with well-rounded graduates, trained in incisive strategic thinking and decision-making. For graduates, the MBA attracts a salary premium and is a proven pathway to leadership positions.

The Online MBA program at William & Mary’s Mason School of Business provides its graduates with even more of a boost. William & Mary MBA alumni are found at some of the world’s biggest companies, from Amazon to Microsoft and Boeing. More than 80% of William & Mary MBA alumni report receiving a raise during or on completion of the program, and the average salary for program graduates is $135,879¹⁰—significantly higher than the accepted industry average of $120,000.³

Visit our website for detailed course descriptions, admission requirements, career resources and our online application portal. To start a discussion about how William & Mary can advance your career, schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.