2025 MBA Best In Class Award For Consulting: Northwestern University (Kellogg)

Let’s start with the numbers: for the MBA Class of 2024, 35 % of graduates accepted roles in consulting, making it by far the largest single industry choice at Kellogg. Even more impressive: those going into consulting had a median base salary of $190,000. For anyone who wants consulting, those stats send a clear signal: Kellogg doesn’t just talk about consulting—it delivers.

Why does that matter? Because consulting isn’t just a nice-to-have outcome. It’s often the gateway to leadership, exposure to strategy, and a platform for future choice. With those kinds of placement and compensation numbers, Kellogg is clearly aligned with students who aim to make consulting their entry point—and maybe more. The fact that consulting is the largest industry for the school means robust firm-connections, alumni pathways, and peer networks geared to that route.

Another reason: the career infrastructure at Kellogg is built for consulting ambition. Their Career Management Center supports everything from interview prep, case practice, alumni connections to major consulting firms. According to the school site, the “MBA career opportunities” page emphasizes these resources and highlights consulting as a top function. That full-service approach is exactly what serious consulting candidates need.

The school’s Career Management Center plays a big role in this success. With structured case prep, interview coaching, networking opportunities, and connections to major consulting firms, Kellogg gives students the infrastructure they need to compete. The school’s own career-path materials highlight consulting as a central focus, and you can see that emphasis reflected in both the pipelines and the outcomes.

Academically, the preparation is equally strong. Courses in strategy, analytics, leadership, and global business mirror the skills consulting firms expect. Add the collaborative, team-driven environment Kellogg is known for and you get a place where students practice consulting-style thinking every day—inside and outside the classroom.

Kellogg’s culture is another advantage. Collaboration isn’t just a talking point; it’s baked into the experience. Consulting firms look for people who can lead teams, synthesize information quickly, and handle ambiguity with confidence. Those skills thrive in Kellogg’s environment, where group work and cross-functional problem-solving are a way of life.

Geography also works in students’ favor. While rooted in Evanston and Chicago, Kellogg has deep ties to both coasts and major global hubs. The employment report shows broad regional placement across the Midwest, West, and East, ensuring students aren’t constrained by location. Consulting is a global business, and Kellogg’s reach reflects that reality.

Then there’s the alumni network. Kellogg grads are everywhere in the consulting world, and they tend to stay connected and engaged with students. That presence translates into mentorship, interview prep, job leads, and a sense of belonging that makes the recruiting process more navigable—and more successful.

The return on investment is hard to ignore. While the overall median salary for the MBA Class of 2024 was $170,000, consulting roles landed well above that. Those numbers reflect not just strong market demand, but a level of trust firms place in Kellogg talent. It’s one thing to place a lot of students in consulting; it’s another to do so at the top end of the pay scale.

Kellogg’s brand also carries weight. Consulting firms recruit heavily on campus, with structured pipelines and long-standing relationships. That means students aren’t competing for scraps—they’re participating in a well-defined process where success stories are the norm rather than the exception.

Quality matters just as much as quantity, and consulting employers signal their confidence in Kellogg every year. The high median salary and consistent placement outcomes indicate that firms see Kellogg as a source of top-tier talent. When you’re trying to break into an industry as competitive as consulting, that perception can make all the difference.

While consulting remains Kellogg’s largest career category, the school continues to diversify its employer base, with growth in tech and other sectors. That blend gives students room to explore without sacrificing the strength of Kellogg’s consulting legacy. It’s a healthy balance—especially for students who may pivot later in their careers.

Taken together, all of this explains why Kellogg stands out in any discussion of the best business schools for consulting. The school doesn’t just prepare students for the field—it launches them into it with confidence, capability, and a powerful network at their backs. For aspiring consultants, Kellogg offers exactly what you want: strong outcomes, elite training, and a community that knows how to help you thrive.

POETS&QUANTS 2025 HONORS

DEAN OF THE YEAR: RICE BUSINESS’ PETER RODRIGUEZ

BUSINESS SCHOOL OF THE YEAR: ESCP BUSINESS SCHOOL

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR MBA ADMISSIONS: DUKE FUQUA’S SHARI HUBERT

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN BUSINESS SCHOOL BRANDING: ILLINOIS GIES’ JAN SLATER

MBA PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR: MICHIGAN ROSS’ ANDY HOFFMAN

205 BEST IN CLASS AWARDS FOR TEACHING QUALITY, CAREER SERVICES & MORE  

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