Business School Salaries: What You Really Earn After an MBA

When people talk about business school salaries, the average income earned by graduates of MBA programs after completing their degree. Also known as post-MBA earnings, it’s not just a number—it’s the return on years of time, money, and effort. Many assume an MBA guarantees a six-figure salary, but the truth? It depends on where you go, what you studied, and which industry hires you.

MBA return on investment, the financial gain compared to the cost of tuition, lost wages, and time spent in school. A top-tier program like Harvard or Stanford might land you $180,000 in your first job after graduation. But for many others, especially those attending regional schools or switching careers, the starting salary hovers between $70,000 and $110,000. And that’s before taxes, student loans, and relocation costs. The real question isn’t ‘How much do MBA grads make?’ It’s ‘Who benefits the most?’

MBA careers, the types of roles MBA graduates typically enter after graduation, such as consulting, finance, tech, or operations. Consulting and finance still lead the pack in pay—firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Goldman Sachs pay big to attract top talent. But tech is catching up fast. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft now hire MBAs for product management, business development, and data-driven strategy roles, often matching or beating traditional finance salaries. Meanwhile, roles in healthcare, non-profits, or government? Those pay less—but offer other rewards like flexibility or purpose.

And here’s what no one tells you: your pre-MBA experience matters just as much as the degree. Someone with five years in engineering who gets an MBA will likely earn more than someone fresh out of college—even from the same school. The MBA doesn’t create value out of thin air. It amplifies what you already have.

Some people chase MBA salaries because they think it’s the only path to financial security. But look at the data—many of the highest earners never went to business school at all. They built skills on their own, started businesses, or climbed the ladder in tech. An MBA can open doors, but it’s not a magic ticket. The real value? The network, the confidence, and the clarity it gives you about where you want to go next.

Below, you’ll find real stories and hard numbers on what MBA grads actually earn—across industries, schools, and career paths. Some made bank. Others barely broke even. Some switched careers entirely. We’re not selling you a dream. We’re showing you the map.