Wharton vs. Columbia MBA (2020) (By Industry)
Wharton continues to be a powerhouse in Financial Services, with the majority (35.9%) opting for the industry. Within the sector - 11.8% and 11% opted to enter the Investment Banking and Private Equity (PE) industries, respectively. The two sub-sectors attracted over $150,000 base salary, where PE pulled in $167,500. Columbia MBAs were behind by $6,000, although close to 35% - a majority in the class also chose the industry.
Columbia's second popular industry was Consulting (32.6%), attracting $148,505 in base salary. Wharton continues to dominate Columbia in remuneration even in a standardized industry like Consulting with a $165,000 base salary – offers accepted by 25.1% of the class. The technology industry seems to stabilize around the $135,000 base salary as Wharton pulled in the number, whereas Columbia could only attract a base salary offer of $127,246.
Both the schools are not known to attract Technology offers as Wharton represented only 14.9% of candidates entering the industry, whereas Columbia had a much favorable 20.6% that also includes Media companies, leveraging NYC’s strength in Finance, Media, and Technology.
Both the schools have equal representation in Healthcare (4%), with Wharton clearly attracting better offers in all the industries with only Investment Banking, Manufacturing, and Real Estate attracting similar offers. For the rest of the industries, Wharton was ahead of Columbia’s base salary by $7,000 to $18,000.
If you are looking for better remuneration and diverse opportunities in Financial Services, Wharton is your best bet.
Consulting (Post-MBA Base Salary): Wharton > Columbia
Financial Services (Investment Banking): Wharton ~ Columbia
Financial Services (PE, VC, Investment Management & Others): Wharton > Columbia
Technology (including Media Tech) Offers: Columbia > Wharton
Manufacturing Offers: Columbia > Wharton
Real Estate Offers: Columbia > Wharton
Base Salary: Wharton > Columbia
Wharton vs. Columbia MBA (2020) (By Function)
Consulting as a post-MBA function was the most popular for both the schools, with Columbia receiving 3% more offers in the function with a near equivalent base salary ($150,000).
Investment Banking, another popular post-MBA function for both the schools, were also neck and neck at 10-13% offers and an equal $150,000 base salary.
The difference in offers was noticeable in Marketing with Columbia again taking advantage of New York’s Media and Fashion industries and attracting 4.3% more although the base salary was $7,000 behind Wharton’s Marketing offers. Product Management also attracted similar offers (6%) and base salary ($130-$135000)
The difference, however, is clearly in Corporate Finance and Investment Management, where Wharton was clearly ahead of Columbia in remuneration – a $15k advantage. Columbia could score a 3.5% niche Finance Corporate Development offers while Wharton could pull in Legal Services offers since the school typically attracts a consistent percentage from a legal background.
General Management roles were also similar in remuneration ($125,000 - $130,000 base salary). However, Columbia’s diverse post-MBA industries could attract double the offers in the function.
Investment Banking (Offers and Base Salary): Wharton ~ Columbia
Consulting (Offers and Base Salary): Wharton ~ Columbia
Private Equity (Offers): Wharton > Columbia
General Management (Offers): Columbia > Wharton
Marketing (Offers): Columbia > Wharton
Product Management (Offers): Wharton ~ Columbia
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