A job in management consulting is one of the most popular—if not the most popular—career step for recent MBA grads. Sometimes people already working in consulting get an MBA as a way to advance their careers in the industry; others use the MBA as a gateway into the sector.
For many consulting-minded MBAs, top firm destinations including the "Big Three" consulting firms, which are the three largest consulting firms by revenue—McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company—otherwise known collectively as the “MBB firms,” However, there are also many jobs available in other firms like A.T Kearney and Accenture, as well as smaller niche-oriented and regional consulting companies. Consulting-minded MBAs might note that the larger firms often break their offerings down into functional areas; for example, a consulting company might offer services in operations consulting or technology consulting. Above all, the best MBAs for consulting will most likely have recruiting relationships with—and a strong alumni presence in—consulting firms.
An MBA in Consulting can also lead to a job as an internal consultant, who advises firms on strategy and development, from the inside.
Business schools rarely offer MBA specializations in Consulting—or even specialized MBAs in Consulting—however, some offer specializations in Strategy or Strategic Management. Most MBA programs also feature relevant classes in their core offerings. Some MBA programs offer students the opportunity to do a consulting project as part of the program.
The best MBAs for consulting will offer a range of curriculum important to the field, such as classes in strategy and business development. Strong business schools for consulting will also have good connections with management consulting firms, and may even hold on-campus recruiting sessions with the firms.
Below is a list of the top ten business schools to land a career in management consulting. Relatedly, you can see the Top 10 MBA Programs for Strategy or Business Development here.
Looking at the school's employment statistics, LBS is truly one of the best MBAs for consulting: Forty-five percent of LBS’ 2023 MBA grads got jobs in the consulting sector, many of them landing jobs with large consultancies like Boston Consulting, McKinsey, and Bain. The school’s MBA offers various options for students to improve their consulting chops, including a summer consulting project. Beyond a typical consulting club, students can also network through the Impact Consulting Club, which provides opportunities to create real social impact with projects at NGOs and non-profit organizations.
View School ProfileThe Big Three love Columbia MBAs. Each year, each of the ‘MBB’ firms—McKinsey, Bain, and Boston Consulting— typically hire dozens of Columbia graduates. In all, over one-third of Columbia’s 2023 cohort went into the strategy consulting industry after the MBA. During the MBS, students have ample opportunity to pursue consulting projects with real companies.
View School ProfileOver 54 percent of 2023 Yale MBAs went into functional roles in consulting—either internal consulting or external. Yale grads are regularly snapped up by McKinsey, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Boston Consulting Group. Students can network through the Consulting Club or the Social Impact Consulting Club, which provides pro-bono consulting services to nonprofit organizations.
View School ProfileAlthough the school does not offer an MBA concentration in Consulting, it does offer a major in Managing Organizations, which sounds a lot like consulting, in that it “focuses on the science and practice of leading and managing people, teams, and organizations,” according to the school. Generally, over thirty percent of any given Kellogg MBA cohort goes into the consulting industry. In 2023, three of the top hiring companies of Kellogg MBAs were consulting firms McKinsey, Bain, and the Boston Consulting Group, who, combined, recruited over 100 Kellogg MBA graduates.
View School ProfileForty-six percent of 2023 Darden MBA grads went into the consulting field, working for firms like A.T. Kearney, Deloitte Consulting, and Bain & Company. Darden offers an MBA concentration in Strategy Consulting. Beyond academic electives, students also have the opportunity to pursue a consulting project with a local or international firm.
View School ProfileLocation-wise, Cass’ London footprint can’t be beat, in terms of access to the top consulting firms. The school’s most recent employment part suggests that a good chunk of the MBA class went into the consulting sector. The school’s MBAs have gone into top consulting firms like McKinsey and Bain & Company.
View School ProfileThe percentage of INSEAD MBAs going into the consulting sector generally ranges from between 30 to 40 percent. INSEAD remains a major feeder school for large consulting firms in Europe, with hundreds of the Insead 2023 MBA cohort going into firms like McKinsey, Boston Consulting, Bain, and others.
View School ProfileMany of the school’s MBA graduates end up in the Toronto area, where there are Canadian headquarters for many management consulting firms. Overall, some 51 percent of all 2023 grads went into the consulting field. The school’s MBA offers a range of consulting-oriented electives in the Corporate Strategy & Leadership area.
View School ProfileOver 33 percent of Sloan’s 2023 MBA cohort went into the consulting industry, with many getting hired by either McKinsey (26 grads), Boston Consulting (23), or Bain (25). Over 40 percent of all MBAs got jobs with a consulting or strategic planning function.
View School ProfileIESE’s MBA provides a proven record for transitioning students into the consulting sector. Almost half of last year’s IESE MBA class ended up in consulting firms. Grads have gone into consulting firms such as AT Kearney, Roland Berger, the Boston Consulting Group, and others. There’s a Consulting Club, which helps consulting-minded students connect with companies and each other.
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