Harvard Business School released Class of 2025 employment data showing median total compensation climbed to $232,800—up 5.4%—even as the share of graduates seeking employment fell to 65%. HBS reported 90% of job-seeking graduates received offers within three months and 84% accepted, while a record 35% of the class opted out of traditional post‑MBA employment, a spike driven by entrepreneurship. The report, published by HBS and summarized by career-office commentary, highlights a widening divergence between compensation and employment-seeking behavior: salaries and bonuses rose, yet fewer students pursued corporate tracks. HBS career staff noted offers at six months continued to grow, signaling delayed hires rather than collapse in demand. For deans, career-service directors and business-school recruiters, the numbers signal two operational priorities: calibrating employer engagement for later hiring cycles and expanding incubator/entrepreneurship supports. The data also matters for admissions teams and donors tracking ROI claims and lifetime earnings projections tied to flagship MBA brands.