A Closer Look at the Best MBA Programs in the USA with Employment Reports
Are you considering investing in graduate school? Have you considered a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program? Are you looking for a way to get the best return on your investment (ROI)?
Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top MBA programs in the USA with employment reports and MBA job salaries to help you make the best decision.
Learn more about employment location, base salaries, average signing bonuses, and tuition costs for MBA graduates.
MBA Salaries and Employment Rates
Over 93% of MBA graduates (international students included) from these 10 business schools received employment offers within 3 to 6 months post-graduation.
With average salaries ranging from $133,000 to $175,000 annually plus signing bonuses, grads from these top MBA schools can pay back any graduate school loans relatively fast.
Additionally, be mindful that your overall costs will include living expenses, student fees, and any lost wages while you attend business school. However, your MBA salary for the first couple of years should provide you with a high return on your investment and cover previous costs.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 business schools in the USA based on published rankings and employment stats.
1. Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School’s annual employment report shows that MBA graduates are highly sought after, with 96 percent of the Class of 2022 accepting job offers within three months of graduating.
According to recent statistics, Harvard MBAs can expect average salaries of $170,000 upon graduation, with the potential to earn even more in the long run.
Moreover, Harvard MBA graduates have plenty of employment opportunities, with many employers actively seeking out the expertise of those who possess a Harvard MBA.
With the right resources, these individuals have the potential to climb the ladder quickly and take their careers to the next level.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 47% of 2022 MBA graduates were hired in the Northeast United States (New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts).
Salary: The median base salary for 2022 MBA graduates was $175,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2022 paid approximately $147,000 in tuition.
2. Columbia Business School
The Columbia School of Business MBA salaries and employment report provides valuable insights into the topic of salaries and jobs following graduation.
Reports from the Class of 2022 show that MBA salaries are at an all-time high, with the average total salary hovering around $175,000.
Additionally, the majority of the MBA class (87%) reported that they had accepted a job offer from a company within three months of graduating. This demonstrates the continued strength of the Columbia MBA program and assures that graduates will be able to secure successful employment.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 86% of 2022 Columbia MBAs were hired in the United States, 7% in Asia, and 4% in Europe.
Salary: The average salary wage for 2022 graduates was $175,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2022 paid approximately $154,000 in tuition.
Columbia MBA Employment Report
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3. University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Chicago’s Booth School of Business MBA salaries and employment report gives a comprehensive look into the employment prospects of MBA graduates.
According to the Booth School of Business, the average salaries reported for graduates from the various programs for the class of 2022 across all industries was $175,000.
This highlights the strong placement prospects of students graduating from the MBA program and is a testimony to Booth’s strong industry connections, giving its MBA alumni a competitive edge in the job market.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 94% of graduates were hired in the United States with 30% in the Northeast.
Salary: The median base salary for first-year graduates was $175,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2022 paid approximately $150,000 in tuition.
Chicago Booth MBA Employment Report
4. Dartmouth Tuck School of Business
The Dartmouth Tuck School of Business MBA employment report demonstrates that within six months of graduation, 95% of Dartmouth MBA grads had accepted job offers from companies in a wide range of industries.
While 25% of MBA grads accepted roles in consulting, 17% accepted jobs in financial services, 16% in healthcare, and the rest spread across other business sectors including management and HR.
This is an impressive result for any program and speaks volumes about the quality of education and professional connections that Dartmouth graduates have access to.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 97% of graduates were hired in the United States with 59% in the Northeast.
Salary: The median 2022 graduate salary was $175,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2022 paid approximately $155,000 in tuition.
Dartmouth Tuck MBA Employment Report
5. Yale School of Management
Yale School of Management’s MBA class of 2022 had impressive student salaries and job outcomes. According to the MBA Employment Report, the median starting salary for business graduates was $160,000.
Additionally, 84% of graduates accepted full-time positions within three months of graduating. These bold numbers suggest that Yale MBA graduates have tapped into a powerful network and developed the skills necessary to land high-paying positions.
Along with the impressive salaries, the School of Management MBA grads also earned a variety of roles, from retail banking to non-profit and start-up positions.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 91% of MBA graduates were hired in the United States with 54% in the Northeast.
Salary: The median base salary for 2022 graduates was $160,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2022 paid approximately $149,000 in tuition.
You may also like: Top 10 Online MBA Programs
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6. University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business
The Wharton MBA salaries and employment report offers a keen look into the differences in salaries between U.S. and international graduates, allowing us to see which countries are most competitive in MBA recruitment.
This reliable data collected from 8,000 MBAs provides us with valuable insights into average salaries, job functions, and industry categories.
As employers and students consider the future of the business world, this report gives us important insights into what the job market looks like and what MBA graduates can expect in terms of compensation.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 95% of 2022 graduates were hired in the United States with 43% in the Northeast.
Salary: The median base salary for 2022 graduates was $175,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2022 paid approximately $161,000 in tuition.
7. Stanford Graduate School of Business
Stanford MBAs can expect to secure jobs that offer excellent salaries. According to the most recent MBA Employment report, Stanford’s full-time MBA class of 2021 had a median base salary of $160,000.
Additionally, 37% of business graduates secured jobs in the tech industry, 25% in consulting, and 11% in consumer products and retail.
Furthermore, the top employers of the Stanford MBA class of 2021 included Amazon, Apple, McKinsey & Company, and Microsoft. Each of these employers offered exceptional salaries and benefits, making them highly sought-after by Stanford MBA graduates.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: While 59% of 2021 graduates were hired in the western United States, 12% were hired internationally.
Salary: The median base salary for 2021 graduates was $160,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2021 paid approximately $150,000 in tuition.
Stanford MBA Employment Report
8. University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler School of Business
UNC MBA students are highly sought after in the job market as business graduates consistently enjoy successful careers with rewarding salaries. According to the School of Business MBA Career Services, 88% of graduates land a job within 6 months of graduating, at an average starting salary of over $100,000.
These well-paid employees are often in high-profile positions, and UNC MBA graduates work in a variety of industries including consulting, banking, finance, health care, and technology.
Employers seeking an energetic, innovative workforce recognize the value of a UNC MBA, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to make a successful career in the business world.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 38% of graduates were hired in the southern United States and 29% in the Northeast.
Salary: The average base salary for 2022 graduates was $133,500 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2022 paid approximately $142,000 in tuition (Non-North Carolina Residents).
UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Employment Report
9. Northwestern Kellogg School of Management
Kellog School of Management MBA graduates are highly sought after and the school’s alumni network helps increase job prospects, leading to higher salaries for its graduates. According to PayScale, the average salary is $171,000 at the mid-career stage.
These salaries are amongst the highest in the US and reflect the quality of the program’s graduates. Not only do Kellog alumni have access to a wide variety of career opportunities, but the alumni network also provides a collective pool of expertise and resources for mentorship and career growth.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 34% of the graduates were hired in the Midwest, 28% were hired in the West, and 8% were hired internationally.
Salary: The average base salary for 2021 graduates was $150,000 with a signing bonus of $30,000.
Tuition Costs: The class of 2021 paid approximately $150,000 in tuition.
Northwestern Kellogg MBA Employment Report
10. University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Graduates of the University of Virginia MBA program go on to enjoy an array of successful career paths.
More than 97% of the MBA Class of 2020 reported higher salaries and positive career outcomes in a May 2021 survey, with 95.6% of respondents employed 3 months after graduating.
Moreover, the average base salary reported by Darden MBAs was $145,000—well above the national average. The Darden School of Business Career Center supports current and former business students with resources to continue long-term career planning, connecting with recruiters, job data insights, mock interviews, as well as salary negotiation guidance.
MBA Employment and Salary Facts
Employment Location: 30% of the MBAs were hired in the Northeast, 23% were hired in the Mid-Atlantic, and 5% were hired internationally.
Salary: The average base salary for 2021 MBA graduates was $145,000 with a signing bonus of $35,500.
Tuition Costs: The MBA class of 2021 paid approximately $148,000 in tuition.
UVA Darden MBA Employment Report
Denisse Romero
Denisse is a global education and communications consultant, as well as the main person behind MacQuil. As an international mentor and frequent traveler, she enjoys sharing information to help anyone travel, study or work abroad.
Denisse holds a Master's in Management from GWU, a Master's in Education from Harvard University and an Executive Coaching Certificate from the University of Cambridge.
