Highest and Lowest Salaries for MBAs

Salaries after the course are among the most important factors that students applying for the MBA programs take into account while selecting the B-schools to apply. And why not? Most students go to a business school to make more money. Here we look at salary stats for some of the top US B-schools.

University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Business

Highest US Salary – $350,000                                        Highest International Salary – $246,525
Average US Salary – $142,286                                         Average International Salary – $132,793
Lowest US Salary – $73,000                                            Lowest International Salary – $15,910

Harvard Business School

Highest US Salary – $300,000                                        Highest International Salary – $250,00
Average US Salary – $140,849                                         Average International Salary – $136, 194
Lowest US Salary – $41,875                                             Lowest International Salary – $57,324

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Highest US Salary – $300,000                                        Highest International Salary – $225,000
Average US Salary – $150,123                                         Average International Salary – $131,697
Lowest US Salary – $70,000                                            Lowest International Salary – $48,000

The University of Chicago – Booth School of Business

Highest US Salary – $250,000                                        Highest International Salary – $200,000
Average US Salary – $134,321                                         Average International Salary – $126,904
Lowest US Salary – $70,000                                            Lowest International Salary – $53,000

University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business

Highest US Salary – $243,000                                        Highest International Salary – $170,000
Average US Salary – $127,787                                         Average International Salary – $123,046
Lowest US Salary – $80,000                                            Lowest International Salary – $70,000

Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management

Highest US Salary – $225,000                                        Highest International Salary – $170,000
Average US Salary – $132,249                                         Average International Salary – $119,576
Lowest US Salary – $80,000                                            Lowest International Salary – $23,282

Dartmouth College – Tuck School of Business

Highest US Salary – $215,000                                        Highest International Salary – $159,000
Average US Salary – $131,870                                         Average International Salary – $125,600
Lowest US Salary – $87,000                                            Lowest International Salary – $60,000

Don’t jump your wagon right now just by looking at these super exciting numbers. Keep a few factors in mind:

1. Your background matters
   The jumps in the salary are not high for everyone. For example, someone who worked in IT Consulting before getting into B-school wants to get back to the same industry will not see a big jump. While someone who worked in education before getting into B-school now joins IT consulting will see a big jump in the salary.
2.  High Salaries – Selective Schools
   Most schools who offer big bucks after an MBA are highly selective. Hence, you will need good achievements to make it to one of those schools.
3. Country you choose to Work
   The geographic location affects the post-MBA salaries heavily. According to QS Top MBA, these are the top 10 countries for post-MBA Salaries: Switzerland, Unites States, Canada, France, Australia, UK, Italy, Singapore, Japan, and Germany.
4. Industry you choose to work
   According to US News, following are the top 10 industries for highest average post-MBA salaries: Consulting, Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Real Estate, Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods, Energy, Manufacturing, and Media/Entertainment.

As an MBA aspirant, some of these factors may be out of your control but make sure to do well on the factors that are under your control. A high GMAT score along with good accomplishments can help you get an admit to one of the top ranked schools. Your work experience plays an important role in the final admits, hence, make sure that you take your work seriously and work your way to strong achievements. And of course, charting out a career plan for yourself before getting into a B-school helps you stay focused.

So keep doing Better Prep, get Better Scores, and go to Better Schools!