My MBA Career: Salaries, Bonuses, and Job Success Rates at Top U.S. B-Schools

Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges for MBA graduates seeking job opportunities, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing an economic downturn that affected industries across the board. The tech, consulting, and finance sectors, traditionally popular among MBA graduates, also faced job market difficulties in recent years.

In 2023, top U.S. business schools saw a decline in job offers and acceptances for MBA graduates. Despite this, those who did secure employment were met with impressive salaries and bonuses. Median MBA salaries at elite schools showed growth from 2020 to 2023, with some institutions like MIT Sloan and Northwestern Kellogg reporting significant increases in total compensation for their graduates.

However, job acceptance rates dropped for many top schools, with declines particularly notable at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Seven schools reported job offer rates below 90%, a significant shift from none in the previous year. On the other hand, schools like Wharton and Vanderbilt Owen maintained high job offer and acceptance rates in 2023.

Overall, 2023 presented a challenging landscape for MBA job placements, with declines in both job offers and acceptances at most top schools. Despite the obstacles faced by MBA graduates in the job market, the resilience and adaptability of these individuals continue to be showcased as they navigate through uncertain times in their careers.