85% of graduates seeking employment secured offers within three months of graduation, with an average annual total compensation exceeding USD 138,000
DW Lee, Director of the Career Management Center
The Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi has released its inaugural MBA Employment Report, showcasing strong employment outcomes for the Class of 2025 and marking a significant milestone for the School’s first graduating cohort. The results underscore the growing strength of Stern at NYUAD’s one-year full-time MBA program and its position at the intersection of global business education and regional opportunity.
At the time of publishing, 85% of graduates seeking employment secured and accepted job offers within three months of degree conferral, reflecting employer confidence in the program’s talent and the effectiveness of its career development ecosystem.
The employment outcomes arrive at a time when MBA graduates worldwide are navigating a highly competitive hiring environment marked by evolving employer expectations and increased selectivity in recruitment. Despite these conditions, the inaugural cohort demonstrated strong career momentum across industries and markets.
Compensation outcomes further reinforce the strength of the inaugural cohort. Graduates reported average total annual compensation exceeding USD 138,000. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), average compensation exceeds USD 208,000, while cost-of-living-adjusted compensation, using New York City as the benchmark, surpasses USD 260,000.
These figures are particularly notable given that 86% of employed graduates chose to pursue opportunities within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, highlighting both the region’s growing attractiveness for global talent and the strong earning potential available across key markets.
The report reflects the unique value proposition of Stern at NYUAD: combining the academic excellence and global reputation of NYU Stern School of Business with Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a leading hub for business, investment, innovation, and policy leadership. Graduates benefit from a globally recognized MBA while developing deep exposure to one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.
As the first cohort of the program, the Class of 2025 represents a diverse and internationally experienced group of professionals. The cohort included students from 25 countries and brought an average of five years of professional experience into the classroom.
As Stern at NYU Abu Dhabi continues to expand its footprint in global business education, the inaugural employment report provides an early indicator of the program’s impact and its ability to prepare graduates for leadership roles across industries and geographies.
The School remains committed to building a world-class MBA experience that develops principled, globally minded leaders equipped to drive meaningful impact across business and society.
The full employment report is available through Stern at NYU Abu Dhabi Employment Report 2025.