MBA Salary: 20 Business Schools Where Graduates Earn The Most
Want a big MBA salary after graduation? We list the 20 business schools with the highest-earning MBA graduates
By Simon Lovick-
Mon Mar 15 2021 -
MBA Rankings 
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MBA salary | US Schools dominate the rankings of highest-paid graduates. But who comes out on top? ©Prostock-studio via Shutterstock
Considering the amount an average MBA student invests in their degree, it’s hardly surprising that post-MBA salary is a big focus for prospective students.
Students need the promise of a post-MBA salary spike to pay off tuition fees alone, which pack a hefty punch. Take the MIT Sloan MBA, the most expensive full-time MBA program according to our BusinessBecause Cost of MBA Report, where tuition alone comes in at over $154,000, or Wharton, with tuition fees just shy of $160,000.
But given the eye-watering salaries that some MBA graduates can expect to earn, the cost doesn't feel quite as significant. Here, we list the business schools with the highest MBA salaries three years after graduation, based on the 2021 Financial Times MBA Ranking.
We've also included MBA salaries for Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, MIT Sloan, and UC Berkeley Haas graduates. These schools offer some of the biggest MBA salaries, but did not participate in this year's FT rankings.
See the FT’s full rankings table
Best Business Schools For MBA Salaries
20. HEC Paris, France
HEC Paris has been one of the FT’s strongest rankings climbers in recent years, from 19th in 2019, to ninth in 2020, to seventh in 2021. HEC MBA graduates can expect to earn $168,436 on average three years after graduation.
Interestingly, the most popular career destination for HEC graduates is Asia, where 35% of graduates end up, while 28% stay on in Europe.
Check out our HEC Paris MBA jobs and salary review
19. Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India
The Indian Institute of Management firmly establishes itself as one of India’s finest academic institutions, with two of its campuses in our MBA salaries top 20.
The IIM Bangalore is renowned not only for its vast campus in South India, but also for the fact it has recorded 92% employment for its MBA students in the three months following graduation. Grads receive an average salary of $171,903 three years after graduation.
18. Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University, USA
Named after the founder of billion-dollar consumer goods company SC Johnson, Cornell Johnson graduates are destined for high earning jobs. Students at this Ivy League business school can expect to earn $174,098 on average three years after graduating.
17. Stern School of Business, New York University, USA
NYU Stern is a big climber in this year’s overall rankings, breaking into the top 20 at number 13. Graduates can expect to earn $175,239 a year within three years, a 127% increase from before their MBA.
16. London Business School, UK
London Business School is the UK's highest ranked business school, and also produces its highest paid MBA graduates.
In spite of UK post-Brexit uncertainty, and London’s reputation for its increasing cost of living, students can expect to bring in $177,234 a year three years after they graduate, nearly $10K more than students at its closest ranked UK-based school, Cambridge Judge.
15. Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, USA
The average graduate from the Fuqua MBA earns $177,895 a year within three years. It’s clear Fuqua is a school that promises a significant salary, as well as one that flies the flag for women in business—46% of Fuqua MBAs are female. The school’s alumni includes Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
14. China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), China
As China’s business appeal continues to grow, so does the quality of its schools. Founded in 1994, CEIBS has firmly established itself as one of the most exciting and enticing business schools in the world, let alone Asia.
MBA graduates from the Shanghai-based business school see on average an astounding 156% salary increase after their degree, earning in the region of $178,558 within three years according to 2021 figures. It’s worth noting this is a decrease from $185,103 in 2020.
13. Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
Darden School of Business was a big climber in this year's overall rankings, going up to 11th from 18th in 2020. Darden graduates can expect to earn $179,176 a year within three years of graduation.
12. Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, USA
Tuck’s renowned MBA program at the New Hampshire Ivy League school boasts a diverse student body, with 49% of its class being female. The significant post-degree salary of $182,988 after three years has also made ‘Tuckies’ the most generous graduates, with over two-thirds of alumni donating to the school.
11. Yale School of Management, USA
One of the US’ oldest universities, and often...
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