Specializing in finance, leadership and entrepreneurship, and producing students capable of entering any industry after graduation, Columbia's full-time MBA program is a top 10 degree, ranking third in the world in the Financial Times MBA ranking last year.
In 2024, 89% of Columbia MBA graduates received job offers within three months of graduation (up from 84% in 2023). The grads’ median graduate salary was $175,000, while many also received signing bonuses, the highest of which was $151,000.
The most popular industries for Columbia MBAs are typically consulting or financial services, with two thirds of students taking roles within those industries. Two of the Big Three consulting firms, McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group were the biggest recruiters of Columbia students, taking on 79 new graduates between them.
Columbia MBAs also found work at some of the world's largest companies across other desirable industries, with Amazon, Google, and Deloitte among the employers of the most recent graduating class.
With the school's entrepreneurial pedigree, some students also choose to start their own businesses. Over the last ten years, the school’s Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center has supported over 700 CBS student and graduate ventures.
Columbia received STEM designation for its MBA program in 2020 after adding more technology and data science to its curriculum. As a result, international Columbia MBA students are allowed to stay and work in the US for up to three years without an H-1B work visa, increasing the desirability of the course for International students.
So what return can you expect from the Columbia MBA?
Average GMAT score is based on the previous version of the GMAT Exam and not the updated GMAT scoring system that came into effect in February 2024. For more information, read our explainer.
Companies hiring Columbia MBA grads
Columbia grads find roles all over the world and in a wide variety of sectors.
With access to a network of more than 48,000 alumni working in more than 100 countries, students can receive support from professionals working within almost any industry. The reputation of Columbia's MBA as one of the best in the world also means graduates have a good chance of success wherever they apply, which is why 2024 graduates earned places at some of the world's largest companies.
In keeping with Columbia tradition, the most popular industries for grads in 2024 were consulting and finance, though the consulting industry saw 6% fewer graduates than in 2023.
Technology made up 10% of graduates, while a smaller number chose companies within other industries such as consumer products, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The proportion of graduating Columbia students taking roles in Fintech doubled from 2023 and 2024, with similar numbers of students finding roles in venture capital.
Most popular industries for Columbia MBAs
Average Columbia MBA salary
Post-MBA salaries are one of the most important factors candidates consider when applying for MBAs. Columbia's MBA costs $88,300 for first-year tuition, and the school estimates total costs can rise to around $132,258 with living expenses and accommodation factored in. Salaries are therefore an important measure of return on students' investment.
However, with the majority of graduates taking up roles in consulting and financial services—traditionally lucrative industries—the average salary for Columbia MBA grads is above average.
Students earned $175,000 on average in 2024, a significant increase from $150,000 in 2020. This is also considerably higher than the average starting salaries of MBA grads across the US, which was $115,000 in 2022, so candidates can expect a good return on their investment after graduating from the Columbia MBA.
Below is a breakdown of average salaries for each industry Columbia students entered after graduating.
Columbia MBA's average salary by industry
*These figures are averages of the median salaries earned across subcategories within each of these sectors. For a more detailed breakdown, see the original report.
With most industries paying graduates more than the average MBA starting salary, Columbia students can expect to be well rewarded for completing their course. Bonuses can also be lucrative for graduates; 71% of students received a signing bonus averaging around $30,000 in 2024.
A further 12% of graduates received other guaranteed compensation, an average of $21,185, though some graduates saw additional compensation of up to $225,000.
The most lucrative industry in 2024, in line with last year, was consulting, which saw MBAs earning a median base salary of $188,000 in their first year after leaving the course.
Columbia MBA graduate job destinations
Most Columbia MBA students take up roles domestically after graduation, however, 51% of students in the class of 2024 entered the course from outside the US, a rise of 4% compared to the class of 2023.
Columbia is proud of its international approach, which features 80 alumni clubs around the world. Typically, domestic MBA students go on to work in US companies, yet Columbia grads took on roles across the world.
Fewer Columbia grads remained in the US after graduation in 2024 than in 2023, while 5% more graduates found roles in Asia.
Columbia MBA grad destinations
Who is the Columbia MBA for?
For those looking to work in finance or consulting, Columbia Business School's track record in placing graduates into big-name firms is clear, and the network of alumni working within those industries will be a great asset to students when looking for a job.
The school helps MBAs find work all over the world, whether they want to work internationally or within the US.
Financially, the cost of Columbia's MBA is more than most programs globally, but it is similar to other prestigious M7 business schools like Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton. The average salary is also similar to those schools, so for candidates looking to study at a top 10 US business school Columbia is a good option.
If you're looking to study your MBA in a major city, Columbia's location in the heart of New York City could make it the course for you.
*The data sourced in this article is based on the Columbia 2024 Employment Report
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