Analysis: UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

In this in-depth analysis of UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements for 2024, we cover:

•    By Industry: UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements 2024
•    By Function: UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements 2024
•    By Region: UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements 2024
•    Top Employers: UCLA Anderson MBA Employment Report 2024

By Industry: UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements 2024

Consulting Hires Fell. Median Base Salary Fell from an impressive $182,500

Consulting remains the top industry, employing 24.9% of graduates with a median base salary of $175,000 and a $30,000 signing bonus. However, hiring in consulting has declined from 27% last year, with base salaries also falling from $182,500. This downward trend aligns with broader market conditions, as economic uncertainty has led consulting firms to slow down hiring and reduce compensation growth. Compared to NYU Stern’s 37% placement in consulting and Haas' 25% at a higher $178,051 salary, Anderson lags behind in both hiring rate and compensation, suggesting stronger competition for top consulting roles among peer schools.

Technology – Strength of UCLA Anderson

Technology hiring at Anderson dropped to 23.4% from 25.8% last year, with a median base salary of $142,000, remaining largely unchanged. This stagnation reflects industry-wide hiring freezes and layoffs across major technology firms, a trend also evident at NYU Stern, where tech hiring is just 9.1%, though salaries are slightly higher at $143,500. 

Berkeley Haas, traditionally strong in tech, placed 24% of graduates in the sector but at a significantly higher average salary of $154,167, suggesting better compensation for technology roles in the Bay Area. The shrinking technology job market is likely a result of continued cost-cutting measures at large firms and a pivot toward AI-driven automation, reducing the demand for MBA hires.

Finance – Jump in Hiring Driven by Investment Banking

Financial services saw a notable increase at Anderson, jumping from 13.9% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024, driven by strong investment banking hiring (10%). Compensation in this sector remained stable, with base salaries at $175,000 and a $50,000 signing bonus. However, Anderson still trails NYU Stern, where financial services is the dominant sector (35.7% of hires) at the same base salary but with a slightly higher bonus of $50,949. Haas also reported 16% in finance, though with a lower average salary of $164,905. The uptick in Anderson’s finance hiring suggests a strategic pivot as students look beyond tech for stable career opportunities, particularly in investment banking, which continues to offer some of the most competitive pay packages despite broader economic headwinds.

Investment Banking - Steady

Investment banking at UCLA Anderson grew from 7.9% to 10% this year, with salaries holding steady at $175,000 plus a $50,000 signing bonus. This reflects the continued demand for finance roles despite economic uncertainty. However, NYU Stern remains the strongest finance-focused school, placing 35.7% of graduates in the industry at similar pay. Compared to Haas, where financial services hiring was lower (16%) and salaries averaged $164,905, Anderson graduates secured better compensation but had fewer total placements. The rise at Anderson aligns with a broader MBA shift toward finance as consulting and technology hiring slowed down.

Healthcare – Back in Demand 

Healthcare hiring at Anderson surged from 6.7% to 9.1%, with median salaries rising from $133,000 to $140,000, along with a $40,000 signing bonus. This increase aligns with the growing industry demand for healthcare management professionals, particularly in biotech and pharmaceuticals. However, Anderson still lags behind Haas, where 8% of graduates entered healthcare at a higher average salary of $146,686, suggesting that location and industry ties may provide Haas students with more lucrative opportunities.

Entertainment and Media

Entertainment and media hiring remained steady at 8.6%, with salaries rising from $132,500 to $137,500. However, the lack of a signing bonus signals a potential plateau in compensation growth. Anderson continues to be a leader in this space, with a significantly higher hiring percentage than NYU Stern (3.9%), reinforcing its strong connections in the Los Angeles media ecosystem. However, the entertainment industry’s slower post-pandemic recovery, coupled with recent Hollywood strikes and restructuring at major studios, has likely limited salary growth.

Consumer Products – Decline in Hiring Marginal Improvement in Salary

Consumer products saw a slight decline, dropping from 9% to 7.2% in 2024, though salaries increased to $125,000 from $120,000, with a $20,000 signing bonus. This sector has been under pressure from inflation and shifting consumer spending patterns, leading to fewer high-paying roles. Compared to NYU Stern’s 5.7% and Haas’ 6% in CPG/Retail, Anderson remains competitive, though it does not offer a salary advantage.

California and Renewable Energy – Reflected at Anderson

Energy and utilities hiring at Anderson increased from 1.5% to 3.3%, with median salaries rising slightly to $130,000, though no signing bonuses were reported. This remains a niche sector at Anderson, with Haas placing 6% in energy at a much higher $150,000 salary plus a $21,000 bonus. The increase at Anderson likely reflects California’s expanding renewable energy market, but compensation still lags behind peer schools.

Real Estate Fell and Energy Hire Doubled

Real estate and energy, traditionally smaller industries at Anderson, both saw minor shifts. Real estate hiring dropped from 3.7% to 2.4%, while energy hiring increased from 1.5% to 3.3%. Salaries in both sectors remained stable at $127,500 and $130,000, respectively. Haas, which has a stronger energy focus, placed 6% of graduates in the industry at a higher $150,000 salary, reflecting its proximity to renewable energy firms and West Coast energy hubs.

Final Take

Overall, UCLA Anderson’s employment trends reflect broader economic challenges, including stagnation in tech salaries, reduced consulting hiring, and a shift toward financial services. The school continues to lead in entertainment but faces stiff competition in consulting and technology from peer institutions like Haas and NYU Stern. The lack of salary growth in key sectors suggests a cautious hiring environment, with firms prioritizing stability over aggressive MBA recruitment.

By Function: UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements 2024

Consulting Most Representation but Salary Fell

Consulting remains the top function for UCLA Anderson graduates, with 26.3% of the class securing roles at a median base salary of $175,000 and a $30,000 signing bonus. While this is comparable to last year’s hiring rate (27%), salaries have declined from $180,000, suggesting firms are scaling back on compensation amid economic uncertainty. In contrast, NYU Stern leads in consulting placements, with 42.4% of its class hired at the same $175,000 base, while Haas offers slightly better pay at $178,489 but with fewer placements (25%). The shift reflects a broader slowdown in consulting hiring across schools.

Finance – More Demand Marginal Drop in Base Salary

Finance and accounting hiring at Anderson increased from 18% to 23.4%, with median salaries at $149,000 and a $50,000 signing bonus. This marks a small decline in base salary from last year’s $150,000, suggesting that while more students are entering finance, firms are maintaining or slightly lowering salaries. However, Stern remains dominant in finance, placing 37.1% of its class at a significantly higher $175,000 median base. Haas also offers stronger compensation, with finance salaries averaging $153,041. Anderson’s lower pay likely stems from a mix of roles across investment banking, corporate finance, and fintech, whereas Stern has a higher concentration in investment banking.

Marketing and sales – AI and Automation’s Biggest Casualty 

Marketing and sales saw a notable decline in hiring at Anderson, dropping from 29.6% last year to 24.9%, with median salaries also falling from $140,000 to $135,000 and signing bonuses dropping from $32,500 to $20,000. This sharp decline reflects challenges in the consumer goods and tech sectors, where hiring has slowed. Haas, despite placing only 10% in marketing, reports a much higher median salary of $140,692 with a $31,208 signing bonus. Similarly, Stern’s marketing median salary stands at $129,500, but product management roles command $155,000. The lower salaries at Anderson suggest that manygraduates are entering traditional brand management roles rather than high-paying tech product management.

General Management – Stable Base Pay with Impressive Bonus

General management hiring at Anderson rose significantly from 7.1% to 12.9%, with salaries remaining stable at $140,000 and signing bonuses increasing slightly to $40,000. The marginal growth suggests a growing demand for leadership roles, particularly in healthcare and corporate rotational programs. Stern’s general management salaries are slightly lower at $132,500, while Haas offers a competitive $156,240 average in corporate roles. Anderson’s higher signing bonus may indicate firms using incentives to attract talent despite flat base pay.

Operations and Logistics

Operations and logistics remain a small segment at Anderson, with only 1.9% of graduates hired at a median salary of $135,000. The hiring rate for UCLA Anderson remains lower than Haas, which has a solid 3% hiring rate. No signing bonuses were reported, mirroring the trend at Haas, where operations salaries stand lower at $128,861. The limited hiring reflects a continued preference among Anderson graduates for finance, consulting, and marketing over supply chain roles.

Final Take

Overall, UCLA Anderson’s 2024 employment data highlights strong consulting and finance hiring but stagnant salaries, reflecting broader market caution. Compared to NYU Stern and Berkeley Haas, Anderson lags in finance compensation and marketing roles but remains competitive in consulting.

By Region: UCLA Anderson MBA Salary and Placements 2024

The UCLA Anderson MBA 2024 employment report reveals notable shifts in regional hiring, with 89.5% of graduates securing jobs in North America, lower than the 96.6% reported last year. The median base salary in the U.S. declined from $152,125 to $145,000, reflecting recessionary conditions in the US.  While domestic employment remains strong, the increased international placements suggest that close to 8% of international candidates may be facing challenges securing roles in the U.S.

West – The Biggest Opportunity with $10,000 Drop in Salary

The West continues to dominate Anderson’s employment landscape, accounting for 73% of placements. However, the median base salary in the region has dropped to $148,000 from last year’s $157,500, and signing bonuses have also declined from $30,000 to $17,500. This decline suggests potential wage stagnation in key industries like technology and entertainment, where cost-cutting and layoffs have been ongoing. Additionally, the hiring rate in California specifically was 70.8% last year, indicating that most of the West’s hiring remains concentrated in the state. In comparison, NYU Stern placed only 4.4% of graduates in the West but at a slightly higher $150,000 median salary, indicating fewer but more lucrative placements.

Northeast – Sharp Drop in Salary

The Northeast saw a slight increase in hiring, from 8.6% last year to 9.6% in 2024. However, the median base salary in the region declined sharply from $163,550 to $142,000. This drop suggests that while employment remains stable, the roles being secured may be in industries with lower compensation, potentially in boutique consulting firms or specialized finance roles rather than top-tier investment banks. The increase in the signing bonus from $40,000 to $50,000 suggests that firms are adjusting compensation structures by offering larger upfront incentives rather than higher fixed salaries. Compared to NYU Stern, which placed 83.3% of graduates in the Northeast at a median base salary of $175,000, Anderson’s lower figures highlight a competitive disadvantage in this region.

Southwest - Stagnant

The Southwest, which includes Texas, saw a minor decrease in hiring, from 3.5% last year to 3.3% in 2024. The median base salary also declined from $135,000 to $130,000. Given that Texas has been attracting major tech and energy firms due to favorable business conditions, Anderson’s stagnant hiring suggests that graduates may not be fully capitalizing on these opportunities. NYU Stern, in comparison, placed 2.2% of graduates in the Southwest at the same $130,000 median salary, reinforcing the notion that this region remains a secondary target for MBA hiring.

Midwest Down

Hiring in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and South has dropped significantly, with all three regions now accounting for less than 1.5% of placements and no reported salary data. Last year, the Midwest alone had 3.4% of placements with a median salary of $146,400, and the Mid-Atlantic had 3.4% at $142,800. The lack of data this year suggests that fewer students are targeting these regions, possibly due to a decline in traditional corporate finance and healthcare roles that have historically been strong in these areas. In contrast, NYU Stern placed 2.2% of its graduates in the Mid-Atlantic at a significantly higher $181,000 median salary, indicating that while fewer students choose the region, those who do are securing high-paying roles.

International Placements

A significant concern is the increase in international placements, rising from 3.4% in 2023 to 10.5% in 2024. While this may suggest global expansion, it also indicates that a larger share of graduates are struggling to secure jobs in the US. The median salary for international roles remains considerably lower, with Asia reporting $70,884 and Latin America at $79,200—far below U.S. compensation levels. This trend could be attributed to the challenging visa landscape, where some international students may be returning to their home countries due to difficulties securing work authorization. In contrast, NYU Stern’s international placements were much lower at 4%, with significantly higher salaries in Asia and the Middle East at $155,000, indicating stronger employer relationships in those markets.

Final Take

Overall, UCLA Anderson’s 2024 employment trends highlight key regional shifts, with continued dominance in the West but declining salaries in the region. The school’s relatively weaker placement in high-paying regions like the Northeast suggests potential challenges in competing for top-tier finance and consulting roles. The drop in hiring across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic signals reduced interest in traditional corporate finance and government consulting opportunities. Meanwhile, the rise in international placements, despite lower salaries, suggests that some graduates may be facing difficulties securing U.S. roles. As the job market evolves, Anderson may need to strengthen its employer relationships in regions beyond the West Coast to ensure more competitive opportunities for its graduates.

Top Employers: UCLA Anderson MBA Employment Report 2024

In the 2024 report, several high-profile firms, such as Amazon, Adobe Systems Inc., Amgen, McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Deloitte, and EY-Parthenon, remain dominant players, hiring three or more UCLA Anderson graduates. However, the report shows that some previously prominent firms such as Google, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, and Intuit are no longer among the top employers in 2024, marking a shift in the industry dynamics.

Technology and Gaming Growth

Companies like Amazon, Adobe, and Activision Blizzard have maintained their positions as top employers, demonstrating the strong demand for business leadership in tech and gaming. Notably, Amazon remains a key player despite recent layoffs across the tech industry. However, firms like Google and Microsoft, which were on last year’s list, are now absent. This could be due to ongoing hiring freezes or a shift in strategy in response to economic challenges or internal restructuring. The rise of Activision Blizzard, a major player in the gaming industry, suggests the gaming sector is experiencing growth, driven by increased consumer demand for entertainment content in the post-pandemic world.

Consulting Sector Resilience

Top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and EY-Parthenon continue to recruit heavily, indicating the continued demand for strategic consulting expertise across industries. These firms’ consistent placement of MBAs reflects the steady demand for their advisory services, even in uncertain economic conditions. However, some firms, such as L.E.K. Consulting, which appeared in last year’s report, are notably absent. This change could be attributed to a decline in hiring within specific consulting sectors, particularly in areas affected by global economic volatility, or firms refocusing their recruitment efforts elsewhere.

Healthcare Sector Surge

The healthcare and biotech industries show notable growth, with companies like Amgen and Genentech increasing their hiring of MBA graduates. This aligns with the broader industry trend of rising demand for leadership in healthcare, driven by ongoing regulatory changes, technological advancements, and the need for innovation in drug development. With healthcare becoming an increasingly critical industry, the uptick in hiring reflects a strategic move to position business leaders at the forefront of these transformations. Compared to last year, the healthcare sector’s growing demand for business leadership stands out as a key trend for UCLA Anderson graduates.

Financial Sector 

The financial sector has seen some changes, with firms like KPMG and PwC maintaining strong recruitment levels, while investment banks such as Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse have dropped off the list. This shift may indicate a broader slowdown in traditional finance hiring, potentially due to macroeconomic factors such as interest rate hikes and the uncertainty surrounding global financial markets. The continued demand for MBAs in accounting and consulting roles suggests these areas are less susceptible to economic cycles than investment banking and trading, which have been more volatile.

Consumer Goods and Other Industries

While companies like Mattel and Epson America remain on the list, reflecting steady demand in consumer goods, the list highlights a relative slowdown in hiring from these sectors compared to others. The shift towards industries like technology, healthcare, and consulting is a reflection of the evolving MBA job market, where students are increasingly seeking roles that offer growth and long-term career potential in high-demand fields.

Final Take

The 2024 UCLA Anderson MBA employment report indicates a shifting landscape in terms of top employers, with strong representation from the technology, consulting, and healthcare sectors. The absence of certain tech giants like Google and Microsoft may point to a cooling in the tech sector’s hiring, while the rise of firms like Activision Blizzard and the continued dominance of consulting firms suggest diversification in the industries attracting UCLA Anderson graduates. The increase in healthcare hiring reflects the industry's growing importance, while the relative slowdown in traditional finance roles highlights broader economic shifts.