Next, we looked into state-by-state statistics to see where the most MBA holders are currently living. According to a report from the Graduate Management Admission Council, an MBA remains one of the most popular degree programs for those seeking a graduate degree.2 We wanted to see which state has the most MBA holders as a way to highlight places where business graduates may want to live, study, and build a network of peers.
Washington, D.C. has the most MBA graduates by far -- averaging 336.7 graduates per 100,000 each year. The runner up is New Hampshire, home to over 159 MBA graduates per 100,000. Other top states were Massachusetts (#2) with 141 MBA graduates per 100,000 and Arizona, GCU’s home state (#3) with over 132 MBA graduates per 100,000.
On the other side of things, the state with the fewest MBA graduates is Wyoming, with only 10.2 MBA holders per 100,000. This makes perfect sense to anyone who would trade skyscraping business hubs for the fresh air of the Tetons. However, with a growing industry like hemp and renewable energy, as profiled by Forbes, business graduates willing to take a risk and join a select few MBA holders transforming business in America’s West may want to call this outdoorsy state home.3
Next, we looked at the states with the highest average GMAT scores in 2019. The GMAT is the standardized test used to guide admissions into various MBA programs across the country.
With an average GMAT score of 622 out of 800 possible points, Washington D.C. tops the list for the highest average GMAT scores in 2019. The runner up is Massachusetts, with an average score of 599 out of 800. Other top states are Illinois (#3), New York (#4), Alaska (#5), and Connecticut (#6), all home to plenty of top-ranking MBA programs that may attract high-scoring applicants.
Finally, since we know that our MBA graduates are fueled by change and progress, we wanted to look at the states with the highest growth rates of MBA graduates between 2011 and 2017.
According to the percentage growth in the number of MBA graduates between 2011-2012 school year and the 2016-2017 school year,4 we found that New Hampshire has the largest growth in MBA holders per capita, showing over 93% growth in the number of MBA graduates between 2011 and 2017. This high growth pattern is incredibly exciting for MBA holders who may be looking to live in places less saturated with business graduates, offering a new outlook and new opportunities.
Other states where the MBA degree has grown the most in the last decade are Utah, Delaware and Wyoming with growth rates of 80.5%, 76.7%, and 65.1% respectively.
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