In a challenging economic environment, men and women in the Kelley School of Business Full-Time MBA Class of 2021 were able to find positions in every industry and at comparable salaries to students in previous years.
Before our students even arrive, we begin working with them to take a deep dive into the experiences, values and strengths that define their personal brand. For career changers, the possibilities are exciting. For all of our students, the experiential learning offered through our industry-informed academies, internships, networking opportunities with recruiters and alumni, and clubs leave them exceptionally well-prepared to begin their careers—and employers know.
The data below provides more information about class demographics, historical compensation trends, and compensation by function and geographic region.
| Demographic | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Class size | 135 |
| Women | 33% |
| Minority groups: Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Asian American, or multiracial | 24% |
| Historically underrepresented minority groups: Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or multiracial | 14% |
| International | 36% |
| Average age | 29 |
| Age range | 23–40 |
| Average years of full-time employment experience | 5.6 |
| Students with full-time work experience | 99% |
| GPA and GMAT | Breakdown |
|---|---|
| Average GPA | 3.34 |
| Percent with undergraduate GPA 3.5 or higher | 34% |
Percent with undergraduate GPA between 3.0–3.49 | 55% |
Percent with undergraduate GPA between 2.5–2.99 | 10% |
| Average GMAT score | 666 |
| Percent with GMAT scores 700 or higher | 41% |
Percent with GMAT scores between 600–699 | 45% |
Percent with GMAT scores between 500–599 | 14% |
| Major | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Business Administration | 33% |
| Social Sciences and Humanities | 22% |
| Science and Engineering | 39% |
| Other | 6% |
| Geographic Area | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Midwest | 36% |
| Northeast/Mid-Atlantic | 16% |
| West/Southwest | 8% |
| South/Possessions | 4% |
| International | 36% |
| Year | Median Base Salary | Median Signing Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $120,000 | $30,000 |
| 2020 | $119,000 | $25,000 |
| 2019 | $115,000 | $20,000 |
| 2018 | $107,000 | $25,000 |
| Function | Percentage Accepting New Jobs | Base Salary (Median) | Base Salary (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consulting | 21% | $150,000 | $90,000–$160,000 |
| Finance/Accounting | 11% | $116,500 | $70,000–$150,000 |
| General Management | 12% | $124,250 | $102,663–$140,000 |
| Human Resources | N/A | I/D | I/D |
| Marketing/Sales | 36% | $115,000 | $80,000–$157,000 |
| Information Technology | 4% | $130,000 | $110,000–$145,000 |
| Operations/Logistics | 10% | $110,000 | $73,000–$130,000 |
| Other | 6% | $120,000 | $75,000–$130,000 |
| Industry | Percentage Accepting New Jobs | Base Salary (Median) | Base Salary (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consulting | 16% | $155,000 | $90,000–$160,000 |
| Consumer Packaged Goods | 13% | $110,000 | $83,000–$135,000 |
| Energy | N/A | I/D | I/D |
| Financial Services | 10% | $123,500 | $93,000–$150,000 |
| Healthcare | 14% | $119,000 | $115,000–$130,000 |
| Manufacturing | 9% | $105,600 | $92,500–$140,000 |
| Media/Entertainment | N/A | I/D | I/D |
| Retail | 9% | $125,000 | $90,000–$130,000 |
| Technology | 23% | $130,000 | $80,000–$157,000 |
| Transportation Logistic Services | N/A | I/D | I/D |
| *Other Services | 6% | $102,663 | $102,663 |
*Includes all other industries with 2% or fewer students reporting acceptances.
| Geographic Region | Percentage Accepting New Jobs | Base Salary (Median) | Base Salary (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | 3% | I/D | I/D |
| Mid-Atlantic | 8% | $110,000 | $102,663–150,000 |
| Midwest | 41% | $120,000 | $75,000–$160,000 |
| Northeast | 14% | $125,000 | $70,000–$155,000 |
| South | 5% | $101,250 | $90,000–$118,182 |
| Southwest | 2% | I/D | I/D |
| West | 28% | $130,000 | $80,000–$157,000 |
N/A indicates not available. I/D indicates insufficient data.
Watch the video to see how Me, Inc. and Graduate Career Services helped Caroline Jansen, MBA'17, start a new career as a consultant.
Description of the video:
Caroline Jansen, Full-Time MBA student: