The UCLA Anderson 2023 employment report highlights several key trends. In this in-depth analysis of UCLA Anderson MBA hiring trends by Industry, we cover:

Consulting Leads

Leading the hiring rates, Consulting emerged as the most popular industry, attracting 27% - a 4% increase from last year - higher than two M7 schools.

The industry commanded the highest median base salary of $182,500. The signing bonus was an average $30,000 for a top US MBA program.

Despite being the top industry, the hiring rate for Consulting was behind the highest average of 35%-40% in Consulting among T20 schools. Similarly, the median base salary was $7,500 behind the highest average among T20 MBAs.

Admission Consultant’s Note – Recessionary Conditions

The number one indicator whether you will achieve a post-MBA goal is determined by the industry hiring trends. That is why I recommend using the single-digit percentage test before framing any post-MBA goals. In recessionary conditions, the hiring rate falls in generalist schools. In post-2020 era, generalist schools are those that have delicately balanced Finance, Technology and Consulting percentage (in the 25-35% range). Specialist schools like UCLA in Technology in the 25% range is a resilient stat despite an overall fall in Technology hiring due to industry slowdown.

2nd Best in Technology Hiring (By Percentage)

The UCLA Anderson 2023 employment report highlights several key trends, the most important being the substantial decline in the Technology industry hires that decreased from 34% in 2022 to 25% in 2023 - marking a 9% decline. In contrast, other industries among the Top 3 at UCLA, Finance and Consulting, saw a rise in hiring rates. However, the hiring percentage of 25.8% is higher than M7 school, behind T10 school – Haas that leads at 29.8%.

Low Median Base Salary for Technology but impressive bonus

While the median base salary in Technology is $142,800 (second lowest among T20 MBAs after Cornell with $138,000), the sector stands out for the most generous signing bonuses, averaging $54,300, suggesting a competitive market for technology talent, where companies are willing to offer lucrative incentives to secure the best graduates.

Effectiveness of UCLA Anderson’s Career Service Team

71.9% of graduates secured their jobs through UCLA Anderson-facilitated resources, underlining the effectiveness of the school’s career services in connecting with employment opportunities. 39% of received full-time offers from their summer internship employers, marking a nearly 5% increase from last year and indicating strong employer satisfaction with Anderson interns.

Compensation Improved at UCLA Anderson – More than 5% Hike

Graduates saw substantial improvements in their compensation. The median annual salaries for those entering the consulting, entertainment/media, and healthcare industries rose by more than 5%. The median salary for full-time roles in Southern California surged almost 10% from the previous year to $155,000

F1GMAT’s Insight – Healthcare Boom (Lagging Trend)

One of the most notable shifts is the significant 50% increase in the number of pursuing careers in healthcare compared to the previous year.

Healthcare Industry offers - 2nd among Top 20 MBA

Healthcare, accounting for 6.7% of hires, presented a median base salary of $133,000 and a signing bonus of $37,100.

UCLA Anderson stands in second place for healthcare hiring, behind this school and tied with 2 schools, and ahead of two schools.

UCLA Anderson – Not a Finance School but Equivalent Median Base Salary as T20

UCLA is not a Finance school. It was evident in the latest employment report where Financial Services attracted 13.9% of the graduates- the lowest among all T20 MBAs despite a 1% increase in offers compared to last year. The offers by percentage was 23% lower than the highest hiring rates. However, the median base salary of $175,000 was the same as offered by other T20 MBAs with a substantial signing bonus of $50,000.

Rare Consumer Products School – UCLA Anderson

Consumer Products, a rare niche with more than 5% hiring, was featured at UCLA, with 9% of the class choosing the industry despite a substantially lower median base salary of $120,000 and a $20,000 signing bonus.

F1GMAT’s Insight – Consumer Products Industry

UCLA Anderson is the most sought-after MBA for the consumer products industry, with the highest hiring rate of 9% among all the T20 MBAs, along with four schools in the T20 list.

Los Angeles and the Entertainment Industry – Location Matters

Location! Location! Location. It does matter. Look at NYU Stern and Columbia, where IB hiring from the school’s New York connection attracts 16-20% of all the offers.

Similarly, the Entertainment and Media sector, which encompasses 8.2% of hires- the highest among all the T20 MBAs (none of the T20 MBAs crossed 3% hiring in Entertainment Media), offered a median base salary of $132,500 with a $15,000 signing bonus.

Real Estate Above 3% Offers – Another Unique Trend

Real Estate, although a smaller segment with 3.7% of hires, which is the highest among T20 MBAs, offered a median base salary of $130,000.

Finally, the Energy & Utilities sector, the smallest in terms of hiring at 1.5%, offered a median base salary of $127,500 and a signing bonus of $15,000. The Energy industry is dominated by Haas, with a 6.6% hiring rate.

UCLA Anderson MBA Salary - By Industry (2023-24)

UCLA Anderson MBA Industry (2023)	% Hired	Median Base Salary	Signing Bonus
Consulting	27%	$182,500	$30,000
Technology	25.8%	$142,800	$54,300
Financial Services	13.9%	$175,000	$50,000
Consumer Products	9%	$120,000	$20,000
Entertainment and Media	8.2%	$132,500	$15,000
Healthcare	6.7%	$133,000	$37,100
Real Estate	3.7%	$130,000	NA
Energy & Utilities	1.5%	$127,500	$15,000