The gender gap in higher education continues to represent more women than men enrolled in university, with women more likely to complete their bachelor’s degrees than men. However, despite excelling in higher education, women still lag behind men in business education and the business world in general. This trend is shifting, though, and the number of women entering graduate programs in business to earn their master of business administration (MBA) is on the rise.
The Rise of Women in MBA Programs
The challenges women face in the business world have been so pervasive that the “glass ceiling” — a barrier preventing women from advancing into leadership and management roles — has become a widely recognized metaphor. Although the glass ceiling is described as invisible, workforce data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that women remain underrepresented in executive positions, underscoring why many choose an MBA to strengthen their qualifications and leadership potential.
Historical Overview and Current Trends
The glass ceiling did not appear out of nowhere. Historically, women were not admitted to business programs until 1959, and the first eight did not enroll until 1963. Those trailblazing women attended alongside almost seven hundred men. Despite the shaky beginnings of women in MBA business programs, the number of women choosing to study business and earn advanced business degrees has steadily risen in more recent years.
Between 2014 and 2024, the percentage of female students enrolled in full-time MBA programs increased from 34% to 42%. Plus, according to research from Forté (an organization that supports women in business), a record number of business schools (eight) reported gender parity in the fall of 2024.
Importance of Gender Diversity in Business Education
Striving for gender diversity in business education helps support a more inclusive and innovative learning environment where more perspectives are represented. As a result, business students gain a better understanding of multiple viewpoints and experiences while learning to question stereotypes. Students may emerge from these educational experiences better prepared to enter a diverse workforce and collaborate effectively with a wide range of teammates.
As more women enroll in MBA programs and succeed in the business world, they continue to set an example for younger women and generations to come. Change does not happen overnight, but the more gender parity is demonstrated in business schools, the more the business world may improve for women.
Challenges Faced by Women Pursuing MBAs
Though the landscape in the business and business education world is beginning to even out, women in business MBA programs still face challenges.
Balancing Work, Life, and Study Commitments
Depending on their circumstances, some women may bear the lion’s share of domestic and family responsibilities, adding to the challenge of juggling study commitments and classes with personal life and career. Women who choose to pursue an MBA degree should consider the amount of time and energy involved in attending classes, studying, and completing assignments, then coordinate their support circles (spouses, friends, and families) to ensure they have the resources to balance regular responsibilities with academics.
Overcoming Stereotypes and Gender Bias in Business
Women are working hard to break through the glass ceiling — and have made cracks — but they still face challenges in business related to stereotypes and gender bias that impact hiring, promotion, pay, access to leadership roles, and workplace interactions. This means women:
- Are commonly hired for positions that are below their qualifications.
- Make less than men working in comparable positions.
- Are less likely to be promoted into senior leadership roles.
- Often experience feeling dismissed, ignored, or overlooked in the workplace.
Inspiring Women Leaders in Business Education
Despite the rise of women in business, only 7.4% of S&P 500 CEOs are female. However, like the original female MBA students, these women are breaking through the glass ceiling and paving the way for more women to follow. Plus, gender diversity in top management positions is correlated with more positive business outcomes.
Many top women in business have MBA degrees. According to Forté, as of 2024, 37 female CEOs lead businesses on the S&P 500, and of these, 41% hold MBA degrees or an equivalent advanced degree in business.
As women become more visible in business, the landscape is transforming. According to Business Insider and Wells Fargo’s 2025 report entitled “The Impact of
Women-Owned Businesses,” from 2019 to 2024, “The growth in number of firms, employment and revenue at women-owned businesses has outpaced men-owned businesses in the past five years.” The analysis found that, in the United States, women-led firms account for nearly 40% of all businesses. More specifically, the quantity of these enterprises rose 17.1%, with employment increasing by 19.5% and revenue by nearly 54%.
Women Who Have Transformed Industries With an MBA
Several notable female business leaders who have made a difference in their industries (and the world) hold MBA degrees. Examples include:
- Ciny Mi– With an MBA and a background in English education, Mi founded VIPKid, which has become a leading online platform for K-12 English-language education.
- Indra Nooyi– Nooyi served as CEO of PepsiCo for 12 years, during which the company’s revenue grew as she promoted a portfolio of healthier products.
- Sheryl Sandberg – Sandberg rose to prominence in the realm of women in business through her role as chief operating officer at Facebook (now Meta Platforms) and by founding a nonprofit that supports women.
- Sallie Krawcheck – Krawcheck is the CEO and cofounder of Ellevest, a digital financial services platform catering to women who want to invest.
- Susan Wojcicki – Google purchased YouTube on Wojcicki’s recommendation, and she later became CEO. She is now widely recognized as an influential figure in both the entertainment and technology sectors.
- Mary Barra – Barra is the first female CEO of the global automaker General Motors (GM).
How an MBA Helped Women Break Barriers in Leadership Roles
An MBA represents a significant accomplishment and a strong, extensive foundation of business knowledge. Thus, an MBA demonstrates a woman’s business skills and proficiency on paper. Additionally, MBA programs help develop leadership and communication competencies, strengthen negotiation abilities, and increase confidence — all of which may bolster a woman’s ability to advocate and speak up for herself. Women may leverage the skills and confidence gained in an MBA program to break barriers in the business world within leadership roles.
Key Benefits of MBA Programs for Women
MBA programs provide students with the opportunity to build a foundation in business knowledge and technical expertise while strengthening their communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership abilities, and confidence.
Networking Opportunities and Mentorship Programs
Women may gain valuable networking and mentorship opportunities in an MBA program. Through getting to know a cohort of peers and highly experienced faculty, plus access to an extensive network of alumni, women could develop strong connections that may be highly useful in the business world. Whether you are looking for employment, investors, partners, suppliers, or clients, the more people you know, the more likely you are to make the right connections for your career or business’ development.
Access to Exclusive Scholarships and Financial Support
Attending an MBA program requires an initial investment in time and tuition. Depending on each woman’s individual situation, they may or may not qualify for financial aid and student loans. However, the funding options do not end there. They may apply for scholarships for women, too, including general scholarships that are open to all graduate-level students and to female students specifically enrolled in MBA programs.
Many people, organizations, and foundations are passionate about supporting women and female achievements in business. As a result, there exist various MBA scholarships for women. Find an extensive list of business and MBA-oriented fellowships and scholarship opportunities for women at Scholarships for Women.
Opportunities for Women in MBA Programs
As the number of women applying to and enrolling in MBA programs continues to rise, we continue to see MBA programs evolve with female students in mind.
How MBA Programs Are Evolving to Support Women’s Needs
MBA programs have become increasingly flexible and are catering to more women’s interests in an attempt to appeal to the other half of the potential student body they have previously failed to reach. This means schools are offering MBA resources and concentrations like accounting, management, and finance as more women enter MBA programs.
Resources and Support Networks for Women in Business Education
Given a growing effort to break through the glass ceiling and foster business success through greater gender diversity, several groups, networks, and resources exist for women in business and in MBA programs. For example:
With these foundations, women MBA students may access resources, support, mentorship, guidance, and scholarship opportunities designed to help them succeed in both business education as well as business after graduation.
Explore Advanced Business Education Opportunities With the MBA Programs at Post University
Post University offers a Master of Business Administration program featuring a curriculum, multiple concentrations, networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and experiential learning intended to broaden students’ business knowledge. With online or on-campus MBA tracks available, female students may find that a flexible program format better aligns with their current responsibilities and professional goals.
