Considering starting a consultancy career and wondering which business schools are best for helping grads launch careers in the sector? These are the 12 best MBAs for consulting to apply to
According to Bloomberg, consulting remained the most popular career path among MBA grads in 2025, with 3,140 hires reported across the top-ranked business schools.
However, that figure is down from 4,126 the previous year, suggesting consulting firms are taking on fewer MBAs than in previous years.
But despite market uncertainty, consulting firms continue to offer some of the most lucrative starting packages for new grads. At top firms—McKinsey, BCG, and Bain—base salaries start at around $190,000, not including bonuses and perks, making consulting one of the most lucrative post-MBA paths.
So which business schools have the highest number of MBA graduates that move into consulting? Here are the best MBAs for a career in consulting in 2026.
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Best MBAs For Consulting In 2026
12. Harvard Business School
Harvard is one of the most famous business schools in the world, and its prestigious MBA program is the oldest in the world.
While a smaller share of its graduates—17.7%—moved into consulting compared with other schools on this list, the absolute number was still significant. A total of 96 Harvard MBA went into consulting, commanding a median salary of $190,000.
11. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business
The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is considered one of the leading business schools in the world. It’s ranked 29th globally according to the Financial Times, and 22nd according to QS.
It’s also one of the best MBAs for consulting careers in 2025. Just over one-third of Ross MBA students went on to work in consulting in 2025, which equates to 98 students. The school also boasts a strong median graduate salary of $185,000.
10. T A Pai Management Institute
A new entrant in the top 10 for this year, T A Pai Management Institute in India is a strong choice if you’re pursuing a career in consulting.
Although only 20% of MBA graduates moved into consulting, that equates to exactly 100 students. Its inclusion in this list is partly down to the large size of the cohort, but with a 100% job placement rate for graduates, you can’t argue with its results.
9. Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Duke Fuqua School of Business has built its reputation on the power of collaboration—so it’s no surprise that its MBA program is a standout choice for students eyeing a career in consulting. Located in the thriving job market town of Durham, North Carolina, Fuqua connects students to a global alumni network of more than 29,000, opening doors to opportunities around the world.
Consulting continues to be a popular path for Fuqua grads, with 38.6% of students in 2025 entering the industry and earning impressive median salaries of $190,000.
8. London Business School
As a school situated in the center of one of Europe’s most populated cities—home to almost nine million people—and surrounded by many of the world’s top companies, graduates of the esteemed London Business School MBA program are spoilt for choice when it comes to jobs.
One third of the class of 2024 (110 students) moved into consulting, even though this marked a 7% dip from the previous year. Starting salaries also adjusted slightly, from $134,690 to $128,508.
7. University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Where better to learn the intricacies of business networking than amid the famed southern hospitality of Charlottesville, Virginia? With over 19,000 alumni in more than 90 countries, Darden MBA students have the chance to make the global connections necessary to advance their consulting careers.
It’s surely a big part of the reason why Darden beat out stiff competition from M7 business schools such as Harvard in this list. Of the class of 2024, 125 MBA grads (more than 40% of the class) went on to work in consulting, earning median salaries of $190,000.
6. Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
Located in a town close to the shores of Lake Michigan, there are few places more scenic than the Kellogg School of Business to get your MBA.
As well as core leadership modules, students have access to more than 120 student-led clubs and organizations, where they can develop their soft skills in real-time. As a testament to the program’s opportunities, 126 graduates (34% of the cohort) landed consulting roles, earning median base salaries of $190,000.
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5. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
During the Wharton MBA, students study a selection of core courses, including marketing and microeconomics, on top of which they can choose to further specialize in areas such as management, legal studies, and accounting.
The Wharton MBA may be one of the most expensive MBAs in the world, but it also boasts some of the strongest job prospects for MBA students. The class of 2024 was clearly a cohort of consultants, with the school jumping three places from last year.
So, if you're looking to launch a career in consultancy, this prestigious school is among the best options. In 2025, 141 of Wharton MBA graduates went into consulting, earning median salaries of $190,000.
4. University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Coming in fourth on this list is Chicago Booth. With 14 different concentrations available in anything from economics to behavioral science, MBA students are provided with an unparalleled opportunity to take risks and flesh out their skillsets.
Earning a place among the best MBAs for consulting in 2025, this year 148 students landed top consulting roles, with median salaries of around $190,000.
3. Columbia Business School
Currently ranked as the second-best MBA in the world according to the Financial Times, Columbia University is a prime location for MBA talent. Not only do you get to study in the beating heart of New York City, the school attracts a multitude of top, cutting-edge business leaders who come to deliver talks, share advice, and make connections.
Among the most recent MBA graduates, 26.6% entered the consulting industry. With a range of companies among the recruiters—including the Big Three firms—Columbia consulting MBAs earned median salaries of $190,000.
2. INSEAD
Coming in at number two is INSEAD, the world’s number four MBA program, according to the Financial Times. With campuses in both France and Singapore, students at INSEAD have the unique opportunity to study a global degree as well as make connections all over the world.
INSEAD is the only school in the ranking to place more than half (50.4%) of its graduates in consulting roles, though that percentage has fallen from the previous year’s 61%. The school also boasts average consulting salaries of $127,468.
1. Indian School of Business
In first place is the Indian School of Business (ISB), home to the Post Graduate Program in Management—its equivalent to a Global MBA. Students benefit from ISB’s partnerships with leading schools including London Business School and MIT Sloan, gaining access to cutting-edge research and teaching.
This year, 292 graduates entered consulting, earning a median salary of $38,927. Though this may seem lower than other MBA programs on this list, average salaries in India are substantially lower than in the US and Europe due to a range of factors. Crucially, the fees at ISB are considerably lower than most other top-ranked programs, costing just $47,060 for the year-long course.
So, if you’re planning to start a lucrative consulting career, why not consider applying to these top MBAs in 2025.
MBA Programs With The Most Consulting Hires In 2025
For more information on how to launch careers in consulting, finance, technology, and more, plus free advice from b-school careers experts, download our Business Careers Guide: Expert Advice On Your Job Options After Business School
Almha is a former writer at GMAC. Almha earned a B.A. in English and History from Trinity College Dublin and an M.A. in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University.
