Top 10 MBA schools based on graduate career outcomes (FT ranked)

The Financial Times (FT) ranking provides a comprehensive evaluation Masters in Business
Administration (MBA) programs worldwide based on criteria such as alumni salaries, career progress
and diversity. Aspiring students can use FT rankings to research and compare MBA programs based
on factors such as program reputation, career prospects and alumni outcomes. This article lists the top 10 MBA schools along with the most common career outcomes of their recent graduates based on the universities’ employment report (2021 and 2022).

Top 10 MBA schools based on graduate career outcomes

• Columbia Business School (CBS)

Ranked #1, CBS saw 94 percent of its students receive offers within three months of graduation, with a $150,000 median base salary as of 2021. CBS facilitated 74 percent of these opportunities, through on-campus interviews, networking, proprietary job postings and so on. The figures as of 2022 are 95% with offers received and 92% having accepted offers, with a median base salary of $175,000.

Common career outcomes:

1. Consulting 
2. Financial Services/Investment Banking/Investment Management
3. Private Equity/Venture Capital
4. Manufacturing
5. Media/Technology
6. Education/Government/Nonprofit
7. Healthcare 
8. Real Estate
9. Retail

Functions:

• Internal Consulting/Strategic Planning
• Consumer Finance and Analytics
• Consumer Products (Beverages/Food)
• Consumer Products – Luxury Goods
• Consumer Products – Other
• Entertainment (Film/Music/TV/Sports/Leisure)
• Fintech
• Hardware/Software/Telecom
• Internet Services/E-Commerce

Source: CBS Career Support 

• Insead

Ranked #2, Insead had 94 percent of its students receive offers within three months of graduation, with a $110,100 median base salary as of 2022. Insead’s Career Development Center and alumni facilitated 54 percent of these opportunities.

Common career outcomes:

1. Financial Services
2. Management Consulting
3. Technology Media and Telecommunications
4. Energy
5. Healthcare
6. Manufacturing/Conglomerates
7. Private Equity/Venture Capital Information Technology/Telecommunications
8. Media Entertainment and Advertising

Functions:

• Primary Industries
• Retail Consumer and Luxury Goods
• Investment Banking/Banking/Sales and Trading
• Investment Management/Hedge Funds
• Other Financial Services
• Strategy
• Operations
• HR
• E-commerce/Internet
• Fintech

Source: Insead Employment Statistics 

• IESE Business School 

Ranked #3, IESE had 95 percent of its students receive offers within three months of graduation, with an average annual base salary of €92,500.

Common career outcomes: 

1. Consulting
2. Finance
3. Technology
4. Diversified Industries

Functions:

• Investment Banking
• Wealth Management
• Venture Capital
• Fintech
• Private Equity
• Healthcare
• Energy and Manufacturing 
• Consumer Goods and Retail

Source: IESE Employment Report  

• Harvard Business School (HBS)

Ranked #4, HBS saw 95 percent of its students receive offers within three months of graduation, with a median base salary of $175,000. 

Common career outcomes: 

1. Consulting
2. Consumer Products/Entertainment/Media/Healthcare
3. Investment Banking
4. Investment Management/Hedge Fund
5. Manufacturing
6. Nonprofit/Government
7. Private Equity
8. Technology
9. Venture Capital

Functions:

• General Management
• Strategic Planning
• Business Development
• General Management
• Marketing
• Strategic Planning

Source: HBS Employment Data 

• Stanford Graduate School of Business

Ranked #4 alongside HBS, Stanford business school had 91 percent of its students receive offers within three months of graduation, with an approximate $160,000 base salary.

Common career outcomes: 

1. Consulting 
2. Finance 
3. General Management
4. Marketing/Sales

Functions:

• Management Consulting
• Operations/Implementation
• Private Equity
• Venture Capitalist
• Investment/Portfolio Management
• Investment Banker
• Business Operations
• Strategy/Planning
• General Management/Rotational/Leadership
• Product Manager
• Business Development
• Marketing/Brand/Growth Manager
• Sales/Customer Success/Revenue

Source: Stanford Employment Outcomes 

• SDA Bocconi School of Management

Ranked #6, SDA Bocconi had 95 percent of its students receive offers within three months of graduation, with a total compensation of approximately €129,000.

Common career outcomes: 

1. Healthcare
2. Technology
3. Boutique Consulting
4. Retail Luxury
5. Financial Services
6. Strategy Consulting
7. Industrial Goods

Functions: 

• Consulting
• Finance
• General Management
• Marketing/Sales
• Strategy/Planning
• Supply Chain/Operations

Source: SDA Bocconi Career Report 

• University of California at Berkeley: Haas

Ranked #7, Haas Berkeley saw 93.8 percent of its students receive offers within three months of graduation, with a mean base annual salary of $152,831.

Common career outcomes: 

1. Energy & Clean Technology
2. Entrepreneurship
3. Finance
4. Healthcare
5. Marketing
6. Real Estate
7. Social Impact
8. Technology

Functions:

• Consulting
• Technical 
• Corporate 
• Finance
• Marketing
• Operations/Logistics
• Rotational Programs/HR
• Real Estate

Source: Haas Berkeley Employment Report 

• Cornell University: Johnson

Ranked #8, Johnson business school had 96 percent of its students obtain a job within three months of graduation, with an average base salary of $155,048.

Common career outcomes: 

1. Financial Services
2. Consulting 
3. Technology
4. Consumer Products
5. Manufacturing
6. Law/Legal Services

Functions:

• Consulting
• Investment Banking
• Finance
• Marketing
• Management

Source: Johnson Cornell Employment Data 

• Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

Ranked #9, Kellogg had 99 percent of its students receive an offer within three months of graduation, with a median base salary of $165,000.

Common career outcomes: 

1. Technology
2. Financial Services
3. Consulting
4. Consumer Packaged Goods
5. Healthcare

Functions:

• Business Development
• Consulting
• Corporate Strategy/Strategic Planning
• Finance/Accounting
• General Management
• Human Resources
• Marketing/Sales
• Operations/Logistics

Source: Kellogg Northwestern Career Path 

• Yale School of Management

Ranked #10, Yale had 96.1 percent of its students obtain it within three months of graduation, with a median base salary of $165,000.

Common career outcomes: 

1. Consulting Services
2. Finance: Investment Banking
3. Finance: Investment Management
4. Finance: Diversified Financial Services
5. Finance: Venture Capital
6. Finance: Private Equity
7. Technology
8. Retail: eCommerce
9. Consumer Packaged Goods
10. Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals
11. Real Estate
12. Nonprofit

Functions:

• Consulting: External Consulting
• Consulting: Internal Consulting/Strategy
• Finance/Accounting
• Marketing/Sales
• General Management
• Operations/Logistics
• Sustainability

Source: Yale Employment Report 

In conclusion, these career outcomes are undeniably promising and pave the way for professional success. These top 10 MBA schools, renowned for their rigorous academic programs and unparalleled resources, have consistently demonstrated their ability to produce exceptional business leaders who thrive in today’s competitive corporate landscape.

Furthermore, these universities boast extensive networks and strong connections with influential industry leaders, creating a vast array of opportunities for MBA graduates. Through internships, networking events, and career fairs, students are exposed to real-world business challenges and have the chance to forge meaningful connections within their desired industries.

The outcomes speak for themselves, as graduates from these esteemed institutions consistently secure coveted positions in top-tier companies, whether in finance, consulting, technology, or entrepreneurship. 

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