Analysis: Yale SOM MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

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

•    By Industry: Yale MBA Salary and Placements (2024)
•    By Function: Yale MBA Salary and Placements (2024)
•    By Region: Yale MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

By Industry: Yale MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

Consulting Trends - Sharp Decline in Hires, Strong Compensation

In 2024, consulting accounted for 31.9% of Yale MBA hires, with a median base salary of $190,000 and a median signing bonus of $30,000, matching Tuck and Darden in salary but lagging behind Tuck’s 44% placement in consulting and Darden’s 42.5%. This decline from Yale’s 44.2% in 2023 suggests a potential shift in interest or demand as candidates and firms explore alternative sectors such as finance and technology in a year where Consulting took a big hit. However, the total compensation package of $220,000 remains highly competitive. 

Finance - Hiring Growth

Finance saw 26.2% of Yale MBA graduates employed in 2024, a rise from 22.3% in 2023, with a median base salary of $171,000 and a median signing bonus of $50,000, culminating in a total median compensation of $221,000. This places Yale slightly ahead of Darden in finance hiring percentage (26.5%) but behind Tuck’s 24%, which offers a higher median base salary of $175,000 and slightly better total compensation. Yale’s growth in finance hiring aligns with its strong focus on sustainable finance and investment management, which may explain the sector's growing appeal. However, the marginal decline in the median base salary from $175,000 in 2023 is a small setback when you consider the incredible growth in salary in recent years, particularly in Investment Banking.

Technology Hiring - Slight Decline

Technology placements at Yale stood at 9.6% in 2024, with a median base salary of $146,600 and a median signing bonus of $30,000, bringing the total to $176,600. This represents a slight decline from 10% in 2023, where the median base salary was $166,500 and the signing bonus was $35,000. In comparison, Tuck matched this placement at 10% but with a higher base salary of $147,500 and a signing bonus of $35,000. Darden had slightly lower representation at 8.8%, but with a stronger base salary of $150,000. The dip in technology salaries at Yale reflects broader market stagnation in the tech industry as firms cut back on large-scale MBA hiring amid cost restructuring and market headwinds.

Healthcare - Hiring Doubled

Healthcare placements doubled to 6.1% in 2024 from 3% in 2023, with a median base salary of $140,000. This aligns with rising interest in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and health services innovation, a sector where Tuck and Darden also reported 8% and 5.1% placements, respectively. While Yale’s salaries for healthcare roles remain slightly higher than Darden’s $137,500, they are below Tuck’s $135,000 plus signing bonus packages. 

Consumer Packaged Goods - Stable Hiring

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) hires remained stable at 4.8% in 2024, offering a median base salary of $123,500 and a $20,000 signing bonus. In contrast, Tuck and Darden placed 6% and 2.7% of graduates in this industry, with Tuck offering higher compensation packages of $128,000 base salaries and signing bonuses of $22,500. The lower representation and salaries for Yale graduates in CPG may reflect the sector's traditional focus on manufacturing hubs closer to Tuck and Darden’s geographic locations.

Energy Hires - Strong

The energy sector accounted for 4.8% of Yale MBA placements in 2024, with a median base salary of $130,000 and a signing bonus of $10,000, totaling $140,000. This marks a significant increase in representation from last year’s 1.9% hired, though the median base salary declined from $140,000 to $130,000, reflecting potential stagnation in energy-related industries. While Yale outperformed peers like Darden (1.7% hired, $140,000 base salary) in representation, the compensation was slightly lower. This reflects Yale’s focus on sustainability and clean energy, appealing to graduates interested in long-term impact despite modest financial rewards.

Government and Non-Profit - Above 6% Hires

In the government and non-profit sector, 6.2% of Yale graduates secured roles in 2024, compared to 2.3% last year, matching the high percentage of incoming class from non-profit and government backgrounds (often 10-11%). However, the median salary dropped from $110,000 to $105,000, likely reflecting the reality of remuneration in the industry.

Retail/E-Commerce Hiring Declined

Yale saw a decline in retail/e-commerce hiring, with 4.4% of graduates placed in 2024 compared to 6.5% in 2023. Amazon – the leading recruiter in top MBA programs in the US, was selective with retail hiring. Despite the lower hiring percentage, the sector offered a median total compensation of $216,600, driven by a median signing bonus of $73,700 – higher than the offers even in M7 schools. This compares favorably to Tuck and Darden’s more limited placements in retail.

Final Take

Yale MBA 2024 employment data reveal a diversification in industry placements, with stabilizing interest in consulting from the optimistic 2023, while Finance has been a winner with a growing interest in healthcare from Yale’s strong healthcare legacy. However, challenges persist in Technology and CPG, where salaries and placement rates trail peer schools. 

Note

Bad News: The Consulting trend is a setback to pre-pandemic levels, indicating Yale’s consulting hires were closely associated with projects in the Technology industry. 

Good news: Technology and Finance trends indicate strengths

By Function: Yale MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

In 2024, Consulting remained the top function for Yale MBA graduates, with 45.4% securing roles, a notable drop from 54.2% last year. The median base salary decreased from $190,000 to $180,000, with a consistent $30,000 signing bonus, resulting in a total compensation of $210,000. Compared to Tuck’s 47% placement in consulting with a higher $190,000 base salary and Darden’s 43.9%, Yale’s placement figures highlight the consulting firm’s selection strategy to categorize M7 and T15 schools differently. 

Finance and Accounting - Growth in Hiring Drop in Compensation 

Finance and accounting roles saw 28.2% of graduates hired, up from 22.3% last year. The median base salary declined from $175,000 to $162,500, though the $50,000 signing bonus remained steady, totaling $212,500. 

Investment Banking - Stable Trends

Within Finance, investment banking expanded significantly, hiring 14% compared to 11.5% last year, maintaining a median base salary of $175,000 and a $50,000 signing bonus. Tuck’s higher 18% placement in investment banking with the same total compensation of $225,000 positions it ahead in financial services competitiveness. 

Yale's growth in finance reflects a demand shift towards specialized roles, even as compensation in certain sub-functions, like investment management, dropped from $160,000 to $150,000, but the hiring rate increased from 3.8% in 2023 to 6.1% in 2024.

General Management - Another growth Function

General management roles grew to 11% from 5% last year, with a median salary of $140,000 and a $25,000 signing bonus, resulting in $165,000 total compensation. Despite the increase in representation, compensation fell slightly from last year’s $142,800 median salary and $35,000 signing bonus. Compared to Tuck (9%) and Darden (12.9%), Yale performed well in terms of representation but lagged in compensation, reflecting broader sector salary pressures.

Yale MBA – Among the Few Top programs with Marketing Hires

Marketing and sales accounted for 8.8% of hires, slightly down from 10% last year. The median salary declined significantly from $148,000 to $136,250, with a smaller signing bonus of $20,000 compared to $40,000 last year, reflecting $156,250 total compensation. Tuck and Darden reported $135,000 and $120,000 base salaries, respectively, indicating Yale’s slight advantage in pay despite the year-over-year drop. The decrease in marketing hiring and pay suggests subdued demand for business development roles as companies recalibrate budgets and began leveraging AI and automation for marketing campaigns.

Operations and Logistics – Rare Growth Function

In operations and logistics, Yale reported 2.6% placements, similar to last year’s 2.7%, with a median salary increase from $130,000 to $137,500. However, no signing bonuses were reported this year, limiting total compensation potential. Tuck and Darden reported 3% and 2.7% hires, respectively, with median salaries of $142,800 and $150,000, showcasing stronger compensation packages for operations roles at peer schools.

Final Take

The trends across functions highlight how Yale MBA graduates remain competitive, particularly in Finance and Consulting. However, shifts in hiring rates and compensation levels indicate a response to market realities, such as slowing demand in consulting and more cautious hiring in other functions like marketing and operations. Comparatively, Tuck and Darden lead in specific areas like investment banking and general management compensation.

Good News: General Management and Investment Banking is shining according to these trends. 

Bad News: Sadly a setback year for Private Equity when compared to recent trends.


 

By Region: Yale MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

The Yale MBA 2024 employment report reveals significant shifts in hiring by region, with 89.6% of graduates employed in the United States, slightly down from 91.4% last year. The median base salary in the U.S. declined from $175,000 to $170,000, reflecting potential market pressures.

North East – Sharp Decline With Steady $175,000 base Salary 

In the Northeast, traditionally Yale’s strongest region, hiring declined sharply from 60.5% last year to 48% in 2024, though the median base salary held steady at $175,000. This shift aligns with broader trends in the consulting and finance sectors, which have historically dominated this region. Peer schools like Tuck maintained stronger placement in the Northeast, with 66% of graduates hired and comparable salaries. The relative decline in Yale’s hiring could indicate saturation in traditional financial hubs like New York, as firms have been selective in hiring Finance talent with a preference for candidates from Finance schools. 

West – Surprising Growth Trends in Hiring Percentage, Compensation Suffered

The West saw notable growth for Yale graduates, with 22.7% hired in 2024, up from 16.3% last year. However, the median base salary declined from $168,000 to $156,625, indicating a mix of industries beyond high-paying technology and consulting roles. 
The San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle remain hotspots for technology, although compensation pressures reflect cost-cutting in the sector. Tuck, in contrast, reported 12% of graduates in the West with higher median salaries of $175,000, underscoring Yale's broader reach in the region but potentially with more varied roles.

Mid-Atlantic – Growth in Hiring, Huge Drop in Compensation

The Mid-Atlantic region experienced modest growth, with 12.1% of graduates hired, up from 10.7% last year. However, the median base salary decreased significantly from $187,500 to $145,000. This decline suggests that while hiring increased, the roles were likely outside traditional high-paying sectors such as finance. Darden, which placed 26.9% of its graduates in the Mid-Atlantic at $175,000 median salaries, performed significantly better in terms of compensation.

Southwest – Stable Hiring, Marginal Drop in Compensation

In the Southwest, Yale’s hiring rate remained stable at 5.6%, but the median base salary dipped slightly from $190,000 to $189,000. The region, particularly Texas, continues to attract Technology and energy firms moving away from traditional hubs. This reflects a broader industry trend of diversification within technology and energy, likely contributing to salary stability. Darden’s strong showing in the Southwest, with 12.9% of graduates hired at $180,000 salaries, reinforces the region’s growing appeal for top MBAs.

Midwest – Modest Increase in Hiring, Huge Drop in Compensation

The Midwest saw increased representation for Yale, with 7.6% of graduates hired compared to 4.7% last year. However, the median salary dropped from $192,000 to $165,000. This trend suggests a mix of industries beyond traditional finance and consulting roles, with a focus on corporate and general management. Comparatively, Tuck reported 7% of graduates hired in the Midwest with higher salaries of $180,000, indicating stronger compensation for similar placements.

South - Modest Increase in Hiring, Steep Drop in Compensation

The South region saw 4% of Yale graduates hired in 2024, a notable increase from 2.1% last year. However, the median base salary dropped sharply from $190,000 to $117,500, reflecting a shift in the types of roles or industries attracting graduates to this region. In comparison, Darden placed 26.9% of its graduates in the South at $175,000 salaries, indicating stronger regional demand.

International Placements – Compensation Suffered

International placements for Yale increased to 10.4% from 8.6% last year, indicating pressure on students to close an offer even if it meant returning to their home countries. The compensation in home territories also suffered, with the median base salary declining from $128,957 to $120,000. 

Asia led international placements at 5.8%, with consistent salaries of $120,000, while Europe and Canada accounted for smaller shares, with no salary data reported for the latter. Comparatively, Tuck and Darden reported 4% and 3.7% of graduates hired internationally, with Tuck offering a higher salary of $130,000 for Asia placements.

Final Take

Overall, Yale's shifting geographic trends reflect strong pressure on Yale as an MBA brand compared to Tuck and Darden with the silver lining remaining in the Northeast region with some positive news in the West.
 

Reference

• Yale MBA Employment Report