MBA Career Insights: Salary by Industry and School

Last Updated on November 9, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes

Dartmouth Tuck and Columbia Business School MBAs have been named as having the highest starting pay in the United States, according to a recent report. The findings, which were published by Bloomberg Businessweek, highlight the lucrative potential of these prestigious MBA programs.

Meanwhile, in Europe, IMD Business School and SDA Bocconi graduates were found to have the highest starting pay. This demonstrates the strong earning capacity of individuals who choose to pursue their MBA in these esteemed institutions.

Moving further afield, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Ivey Business School in Canada were reported to offer the highest starting pay in Asia and Canada, respectively. These schools provide promising career prospects for MBA graduates looking to make their mark in these regions.

However, the report also emphasizes that aspiring MBA applicants should not solely rely on overall pay information for recent graduates. While this data can provide a general idea of earning potential, the most valuable insights are often hidden in each school’s employment report.

Another notable point highlighted by the report is the significant variation in industry pay for MBA graduates, even within the same school. This suggests that choosing a specialization or considering industries of interest is crucial for those seeking to maximize their future income.

For instance, despite Columbia Business School having the second-highest base pay for Finance at $175,000, 13 other MBA programs were found to offer the same starting salary. Nevertheless, Columbia Business School still stands out due to its larger number of finance hires and its fourth-highest percentage of MBA graduates entering the finance sector among business schools.

To compile these rankings, Bloomberg Businessweek utilized data from the MBA Career Services and Employer Alliance (MBA CSEA). The report analyzed 14 industries, including Finance, Consulting, Technology, Healthcare, Consumer Products, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail, Energy, Media & Entertainment, Transportation, Nonprofits, Government, and Hospitality.

These rankings provide valuable information on which schools pay the most and attract the most interest in each industry. Prospective MBA students can now make more informed decisions on which programs align with their career goals and offer the greatest earning potential.