Which are the best MBAs for consulting in 2027?

Consulting has historically been the most popular career path for MBA graduates and that remains true today. According to Bloomberg's Best Business Schools Rankings, placements in consulting at the world's top business schools outstripped all other industries in 2026, with 2,965 graduates hired across ranked institutions.

However, that figure is down from 3,140 the previous year, evidence that in the turbulent age of AI 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, and that's before bonuses and perks are included. For this reason consulting remains one of the highest-paying post-MBA paths.

So which are the best MBAs for a career in consulting in 2027? These business schools have the highest number of MBA graduates that move into consulting, according to Bloomberg's latest recruitment data for 2026. 

Best MBAs for consulting in 2027

12. T A Pai Management Institute 

One of three Indian schools among the top 12 consulting placement schools, T A Pai Management Institute is a strong choice if you’re pursuing a career in consulting. 

In total, 84 T A Pai Management graduates secured consulting roles in 2026. This was only 17% of the school's total MBA graduates, a lower proportion than others on this list, however, this is partly due to the school's large annual MBA cohort. 

11. Woxsen University 

A new entry for 2026, Woxsen University in Hyderabad, India, is statistically one of the best programs for consulting globally. Around 38% of Woxsen graduates went into consulting in 2026, with 85 members of the cohort landing roles in the industry. 

10. Dartmouth University Tuck School of Business

Another school that enters the list of top MBAs for consulting this year is Dartmouth University Tuck School of Business. 

Over 40% of Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA graduates, or 95 students, found roles in the consulting sector in 2026—the highest percentage of students of any school among the top 12. The median consulting salary for Dartmouth Tuck graduates in consulting is $190,000.

9. London Business School 

As a school situated in the center of one of Europe’s most populated cities—home to more than nine million people and 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.

Around a third (33%) of its most recent class secured jobs in consulting, accounting for exactly 100 graduates. They earned a median salary of around $133,700.

8. Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School is arguably the most famous management institution in the world, and its prestigious MBA program is the oldest.

Rising four places when compared to last year’s ranking, 106 Harvard graduates landed consulting jobs in 2026, accounting for around 20% of the cohort. Of the graduates working in consulting, the median starting salary was $190,000.

7. University of Virginia Darden School of Business

With over 19,000 alumni in more than 90 countries, UVA Darden School of Business MBA students have the chance to make the kind of global connections necessary to advance in consulting careers.

Of the most recent class, 109 MBA grads (37% of the cohort) went on to work in consulting, earning median salaries of $190,000. 

6. Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management maintains its place as the sixth best business school for consulting, based on Bloomberg's recruitment data. 

At Kellogg, as well as core leadership modules, MBA students have access to more than 120 student-led clubs and organizations, where they can develop their soft skills in real-time. In 2026, 135 graduates (37% of the cohort) landed consulting roles, earning median base salaries of $190,000. 

5. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 

During the prestigious 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. In 2026, 149 of Wharton MBA graduates went into consulting, earning median salaries of $190,000. 

4. Columbia Business School 

In 2026, 166 Columbia graduates landed roles in consulting, accounting for over a quarter of the program’s cohort. With a range of companies among the school's recruiters—including the Big Three firms—Columbia consulting MBAs earned median salaries of $190,000. 

3. University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Rising one spot compared with last year’s ranking, the Chicago Booth School of Business MBA ranks third globally when it comes to consulting placements. With 14 different concentrations available in anything from economics to behavioral science, MBA students at Booth are provided with various opportunities to take risks and expand their skillsets. 

Securing a place among the best MBAs for consulting, in 2026 166 Booth MBA students landed top consulting roles, with median salaries of around $190,000.

2. INSEAD

Coming in at number two in this list is INSEAD—the school which, incidentally, offers the world’s second best 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.

Almost 40% of INSEAD graduates went into consulting in 2026, accounting for 190 students in total, earning an average salary of around $128,000.

1. Indian School of Business 

Leading the way when it comes to placing students in consulting positions is once again the Indian School of Business (ISB). Home to the Post Graduate Program in Management—its equivalent to a Global MBA—ISB offers students access to cutting-edge teaching and research through various partnerships with other leading schools, including London Business School and MIT Sloan.

This year, 280 ISB graduates entered consulting, earning a median salary of $43,615. 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.

When it comes to the question of value: crucially, the fees at ISB are considerably lower than most other top-ranked programs, costing just $36,064 for the year-long program.