In this in-depth analysis of Tuck MBA Employment trends, we cover salary and placement trends for 2024:
• By Industry
• By Function
• By Region
• By Top Employers
Overview
The Tuck MBA Employment Report 2024 shows a median base salary of $175,000 and a median sign-on bonus of $30,000, with 84% of graduates receiving sign-on bonuses. Job offers were extended to 91% of graduates, with 89% accepting them, reflecting stable post-MBA outcomes.
By Industry: Tuck MBA Salary and Placement Trends (2024)
Tuck – Consulting Strong but Base Salary Stagnant
Consulting continues to dominate placements at 44%, holding steady from last year’s 46%, with a median base salary of $190,000 and a median signing bonus of $30,000, leading to a total compensation of $220,000. This consistency aligns closely with peer schools like Darden, where Consulting accounted for 42.5% of hires at the same median salary. However, the stagnation in Consulting compensation over the past two years suggests broader market pressures or firms adjusting to profitability goals.
Finance – Tuck and Investment Banking
Financial Services saw a marginal increase in hiring at Tuck, rising to 24% compared to last year’s 23%, with compensation holding firm at a $175,000 median base salary and a notable $50,000 signing bonus, bringing the total to $225,000. This trend highlights the industry's continued demand for Tuck graduates, particularly in investment banking, where competitive pay structures remain consistent despite market volatility. Darden graduates experienced similar hiring rates at 26.5%.
Technology Slowdown
Technology, however, reflects a significant decline at Tuck, dropping to 10% of hires from last year’s 14%, with the median base salary falling to $147,500—a sharp drop from $160,500—and a total compensation of $182,500. This contraction likely mirrors challenges in the tech sector, where layoffs, reduced hiring, and cost-cutting measures have impacted demand for MBA talent. In contrast, Darden’s tech placements remained relatively stable at 8.8%, albeit with a slightly higher median base salary of $150,000, showcasing a similar strain in the sector.
Healthcare and Pharma – Improved Hiring But Stagnant Salary
The Healthcare, Pharma, and Biotech sectors at Tuck accounted for 8% of placements, up from last year’s 6%, though compensation remained stagnant with a median base salary of $135,000 and a $30,000 signing bonus. This hiring uptick reflects the industry's steady growth amid increasing demand for innovation in life sciences and Healthcare services. However, Tuck lags behind Darden’s Healthcare sector, where salaries are notably higher at $137,500.
Consumer Goods and Retails – Pressure on Compensation
Consumer Goods and Retail retained its share at 6% but saw compensation decline slightly. The median base salary remains at $128,000, while the signing bonus dropped to $22,500, leading to a total of $150,500 compared to last year’s $158,000. This indicates ongoing price pressures and cautious hiring practices as companies grapple with inflation and shifting consumer demand. Comparatively, Darden's placements in Retail and CPG are smaller but command stronger salaries, particularly in Retail at $145,000.
Manufacturing – The 1% Club
Lastly, Manufacturing remained a small segment at Tuck, contributing only 1% of hires with a $135,000 base salary, highlighting limited opportunities in the sector.
Final Take
Overall, Tuck’s employment data reflects an industry landscape marked by stability in high-demand sectors like Consulting and Finance but notable challenges in Technology and Consumer Goods. The stagnation in base salaries across several sectors, particularly Consulting and Technology, raises concerns about broader market stagnation amidst a tightening economic climate.
| By Industry | % Hired | Median Base Salary | Median Signing Bonus | Total Salary |
| Consulting | 44% | $190,000 | $30,000 | $220,000 |
| Financial Services | 24% | $175,000 | $50,000 | $225,000 |
| Technology | 10% | $147,500 | $35,000 | $182,500 |
| Health Care, Pharma, Biotech | 8% | $135,000 | $30,000 | $165,000 |
| Consumer Goods, Retail | 6% | $128,000 | $22,500 | $150,500 |
| Manufacturing | 1% | $135,000 | NA | NA |
By Function: Tuck MBA Salary and Placement Trends (2024)
Consulting – Closing in on 45% from 49% Last Year
Consulting remains the top functional choice for Tuck graduates at 47%, compared to 49% in 2023. The median base salary for Consulting stands unchanged at $190,000, accompanied by a $30,000 median signing bonus, leading to total compensation of $220,000. Stagnation in consulting compensation shows a lack of growth where firms are controlling costs amidst slower global demand. Tuck’s Consulting placements are comparable to Darden, where 43.9% of graduates accepted roles in this function at an identical median base salary.
Finance – Investment Banking Placements
The Finance function witnessed notable growth, increasing to 27% from last year’s 18%, driven by strong hiring in Investment Banking, which now comprises 18% of total placements, up from 14%. Investment Banking compensation remains stable with a median base salary of $175,000 and a $50,000 signing bonus, totaling $225,000—a competitive figure that reflects the sector’s continued appeal. However, this stagnation in compensation points to cautious hiring practices amid market uncertainty.
Within Finance, Corporate Finance placements rose to 3% from 1% last year, though median base salaries fell sharply to $142,800 compared to last year’s $175,000. Additionally, Investment Management saw modest hiring at 2%, with salaries at $142,500 and a minimal signing bonus of $5,000, resulting in a total of $147,500.
Marketing – Above 10%. Salary Fell but best among peer schools
Marketing placements remained constant at 11%, but compensation reflects a notable drop. The median base salary fell to $135,000 from last year’s $146,400, and the signing bonus declined to $30,000 from $37,500, culminating in a total of $165,000, down from $183,900 in 2023. This downward shift mirrors ongoing challenges in consumer-driven industries, where companies face margin pressures and reduced discretionary spending. In comparison, Darden’s Marketing/Sales hires were significantly lower at 6.5%, and median base salaries were even lower at $120,000.
General Management – Hiring Growth. Sign-on Bonus Fell
General Management saw modest growth, increasing to 9% from last year’s 8%, with the median base salary holding steady at $140,000. However, the signing bonus dropped to $30,000 from $35,000, reducing total compensation to $170,000 compared to $175,000 in 2023. Notably, Darden outperformed slightly in this function, with 12.9% of graduates entering General Management roles at the same median base salary.
The lack of substantial salary growth across major functions like Consulting, Marketing, and General Management underscores the broader market stagnation, likely driven by economic headwinds and cost management priorities across industries.
| By Function | % Hired | Median Base Salary | Median Signing Bonus | Total Salary |
| Consulting | 47% | $190,000 | $30,000 | $220,000 |
| Finance | 27% | $175,000 | $50,000 | $225,000 |
| Investment Banking | 18% | $175,000 | $50,000 | $225,000 |
| Corporate Finance | 3% | $142,800 | $35,000 | $177,800 |
| Investment Management | 2% | $142,500 | $5,000 | $147,500 |
| Marketing | 11% | $135,000 | $30,000 | $165,000 |
| General Management | 9% | $140,000 | $30,000 | $170,000 |
By Region: Tuck MBA Salary and Placement Trends (2024)
Northeast Strong – An Outlier Trend
The Tuck MBA Employment Report for 2024 shows a continued concentration of hiring in the Northeast, where 66% of graduates accepted jobs, a notable increase from 53% in 2023. This uptick is largely driven by Boston (33%) and New York (31%), both offering a median base salary of $175,000. The dominance of the Consulting and Finance industries in these cities, particularly New York’s investment banking sector, aligns with Tuck's placement trends, where these functions lead hiring. By comparison, Darden’s Northeast placements account for just 28.6%, highlighting Tuck’s strong foothold in this region.
The Decline of the West – A Familiar Story
The West region experienced a slight decline, dropping to 12% from 14% last year. San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle saw minimal hiring at 6% and 2% respectively with salaries at $172,500, slightly below the U.S. median of $175,000. This reflects challenges in the tech industry, where layoffs and cost controls have reduced MBA opportunities. Notably, Darden placed 8.2% in the West, suggesting a similar contraction in demand.
Chicago Contributed to Midwest Strength
The Midwest shows a contrasting trend. Despite a decrease in hiring to 7% from last year’s 10%, Chicago remains a standout city with a higher median base salary of $190,000, reflecting the region’s strong demand for Consulting talent. This outperforms Tuck’s overall U.S. median and aligns with Darden’s Midwest salary of $175,000.
South Went South
The Southwest and South regions witnessed declines. Southwest placements dropped to 4%, with salaries falling to $177,500 from $182,500 last year. The South saw even sharper declines, falling to 3% from 6%, with salaries dropping to $170,000 compared to last year’s $192,000. This shift reflects reduced hiring in Texas, where firms in energy and tech have scaled back hiring. By contrast, Darden placed 26.9% in the South, highlighting its stronger ties to this region.
International Below 5% - Good News for Applicants Planning to Settle in the US
International placements held steady at 4%, down slightly from 5% in 2023. Asia accounted for 2% of placements, with a median base salary of $130,000, a decline from last year’s $139,947, signaling weakening demand in Asian markets. Europe and Canada's placements were minimal, where salaries remain unreported, mirroring trends at Darden, where only 3.7% of graduates pursued international roles.
Insight: The lower the international placements, the greater the good news about US placements
Final Take
Overall, Tuck’s strong performance in the Northeast continues to be a hallmark of the program, reiterating the school’s relationship with recruiters in Investment Banking and Consulting.
| By Region | % Hired | Median Base Salary |
| Northeast | 66% | $175,000 |
| Boston | 33% | $175,000 |
| New York | 31% | $175,000 |
| West | 12% | $175,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | 6% | $172,500 |
| Seattle | 2% | $172,500 |
| Midwest | 7% | $180,000 |
| Chicago | 5% | $190,000 |
| Mid-Atlantic | 4% | $175,000 |
| Southwest | 4% | $177,500 |
| South | 3% | $170,000 |
| Outside U.S. | 4% | $130,000 |
| Asia | 2% | $130,000 |
| Europe | 1% | - |
| Canada | 1% | - |
Top Employers: Tuck MBA Salary and Placement Trends (2024)
For 2024, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company (MBB) continue to dominate the list of top employers. This trend aligns with the continued appeal of Consulting roles, which accounted for 47% of total hiring, as seen in the “By Function” data.
Diversity in Consulting Employers
The presence of Deloitte, Oliver Wyman, LEK Consulting, Kearney, and EY-Parthenon further cement Tuck’s diverse consulting recruiters as a differentiating strength. Notably, Deloitte appears as a stronger hiring presence this year compared to 2023, reflecting a broader industry trend where firms are competing aggressively for MBA talent.
Compared to last year, McKinsey & Company, which hired 26 graduates in 2023, remains a key employer. However, there is no direct quantitative data available this year to determine whether hiring volumes remained steady or changed. Bain and BCG, which hired 25 and 23 graduates, respectively, in 2023, also maintain their dominant hiring positions. The increased reliance on MBB reflects their longstanding preference for Tuck graduates, known for their strong teamwork and leadership skills, traits valued highly in Consulting roles.
Amazon – The Only Tech Giant Among top Tuck Recruiters
Amazon, previously a key recruiter with 20 hires in 2023, still appears among the top employers but without specific hiring figures. This reflects the broader challenges within the tech sector, where hiring has slowed due to cost-cutting measures and economic uncertainty. The reduction in tech hiring, alongside the absence of companies like Apple and Google this year, highlights the overall stagnation in MBA opportunities within Technology.
IB – Absence of Goldman Offset by Boutique Firms
Financial firms have gained prominence in 2024, with Barclays, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Guggenheim featured prominently among top employers. This mirrors the hiring uptick in Investment Banking, which accounted for 18% of roles in 2024. The inclusion of Guggenheim and Barclays reflects the demand for roles in boutique and global investment banking firms, where competitive compensation and stability have attracted MBA talent. In comparison, Goldman Sachs, which hired 6 graduates in 2023, does not feature prominently this year, signaling a potential reduction in its hiring efforts or preference for other MBA programs.
Manufacturing Slowdown
Additionally, firms like IGS and Re:Build Manufacturing, which appeared last year, indicate a pivot toward non-traditional or niche opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing and operations. However, these firms do not feature as prominently in 2024, further underscoring Tuck graduates' stronger pull toward Consulting and Finance this year.
Final Take
Overall, Tuck’s 2024 hiring trends reflect a shift back to traditional powerhouses like Consulting and Finance, while tech has witnessed a contraction. The enduring dominance of MBB firms highlights the program’s strong reputation for producing graduates suited to Consulting roles.
| Top Employers |
| Boston Consulting Group |
| McKinsey & Company |
| Bain & Company |
| Deloitte |
| Barclays |
| OliverWyman |
| LEK |
| Amazon |
| Bank of America |
| Morgan Stanley |
| IGS |
| Kearney |
| EY Parthenon |
| Guggenheim |
Reference