The Best (And Worst) Companies For MBAs

Kevin Marvinac, co-founder of TransparentCareer. Courtesy photo

According to TransparentCareer data, average starting compensation for recently graduated MBAs is frothy. Out of the 30 companies analyzed, 11 have average starting pay of $200,000 or greater, once you include bonuses and other perks. Surprisingly, only one of those companies falls into the financial services industry. Six consulting firms, four tech giants, and one financial services company make up the top 11 companies for total compensation. After L.E.K. Consulting, BCG and Goldman Sachs follow, with MBAs starting at an average of $221,000 and $215,000, respectively. McKinsey and Bain tie for the next spot, both reporting averages of $214,000.

At the bottom is Dell, where MBAs average a total compensation package of $126,000. Next lowest are P&G and Pepsi at $131,000 and $140,000, respectively. MBAs at only six companies report making a total compensation package of less than $150,000 in their first roles after B-school.

MBAs are most satisfied with their jobs at A.T. Kearney, according to the TransparentCareer data. Google, Adobe, and Liberty Mutual share a three-way tie with an average satisfaction rate of 7.8—just off A.T. Kearney’s average of 7.9. MBAs at 12 companies have an average job satisfaction rate of at least seven on the one-to-ten scale. Of those 12, half are consulting firms, four are tech companies, and two are financial services outfits. At the bottom is Bank of America Merrill Lynch with a meager score of 5.6. Next lowest is another three-way tie, this time between Dell, Accenture, and Deloitte with an average of 5.8.

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.