Top 10 Business Schools for Getting a Top-Tier Job

Landing a job can be hard work, especially if it’s a highly sought-after position that requires a variety of hard and soft skills.

Thankfully, an MBA title can help applicants not only stand out in the candidate pool, but also get a significant salary increase and return on investment (ROI) in the long run.

Here at TopMBA, we’ve analyzed data from over 200 business schools worldwide to discover the top 10 schools for graduates landing top-tier positions .

10) Tuck School of Business

Kicking off our list is Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, which boasts a 92 percent employment rate for its MBA grads. The program is designed with the goal of “developing curious, creative leaders” and is comprised of case-based courses, team-based project work, experiential and global learning opportunities, independent study and Research-to-Practice seminars.

9) Columbia Business School

Ninth on our list is the only Ivy League business school based in New York City – Columbia Business School. CBS’ MBA boasts six figure salaries and ROI for its grads, as well as 90 percent of career placement opportunities three months after graduation. The program aims to give students the ability to take on different business challenges in fast-moving and competitive environments.

8) The Kellogg School of Management

Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University’s 21-month MBA enables 92 percent of graduates to advance their career in just three months, increasing their salaries to a whopping average of US$128,415. The program is notorious for its international opportunities, with 37 exchange initiatives across 20 countries that students can choose from.

7) NYU Stern School of Business

Coming in seventh for top-tier employability is NYU Stern School of Business, boosting one of the highest rates on the list at 94 percent. The two-year Stern MBA is STEM-designed, integrating technology and analytics into the curriculum. Upon completion, graduates can enjoy a salary bump to US$129,059 and a ROI of nearly US$1m after 10 years.

6) The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago has the highest graduate employability rate at 96 percent. The 21-month MBA is one of the most flexible on our list, where students have the opportunity to choose from 13 concentrations and complete an internship midway.

5) The Wharton School

Halfway through our list is The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the oldest business schools and a member of the M7 group of elite US MBA programs. The 21-month MBA includes 18 majors and summer internship opportunities. Wharton graduates can benefit from an average salary of US$135,000 and ROI of US$878,307.

4) IMD

Just missing out on a top three spot is the MBA from IMD in Switzerland. The one-year program is designed to foster an intimate, personalized and international MBA experience where students can develop a transformational leadership style. IMD graduates boost an ROI of over US$1m, the second highest on our list, and an average salary of US$135,635.

3) The University of Western Australia’s Business School

Earning the bronze medal for top-tier employability is The University of Western Australia’s Business School, with an average salary of US$136,520. At the UWA Business School, MBA students can benefit from a combination of practical experience, personalized leadership development and industry-specific networking opportunities. 94 percent of graduates land a job within three months of completing the program.

2) Harvard Business School

In second place, earning the silver medal, is Harvard Business School, which boasts a jump salary to US$137,293 for its MBA graduates. Harvard is known as one of the world’s most elite universities and the originator of the MBA. The two-year program is one of the leaders in employability, with 89 percent of its graduates landing a top-tier job within three months.

1) Stanford Graduate School of Business

And the top school for graduate employability is Stanford Graduate School of Business, with Stanford GSB MBA graduates earing an average salary of US$145,559. Stanford is world-renowned for its tech-savvy and entrepreneurial curriculum. Its MBA program also offers graduates the highest ROI on our list, a whooping US$1,149,441.