2024 MBA Pay: Finance

High finance equals high pay – and the Class of 2024 didn’t disappoint. 10 schools reported graduates averaging over $160,000 to start – with Virginia Darden, Emory Goizeta, and Duke Fuqua hovering in the $157K-$159K range. Overall, Stanford GSB grads cracked the $200K mark at $204,868, easily distancing themselves from Harvard Business School ($182,343) and the Wharton School ($178,193). Like general management, finance pay ties closely to rank, though Michigan Ross ($167,642) and Cornell Johnson ($165,721) ranked 7th and 8th in average pay respectively. However, out of the 20-highest paid schools, just 6 programs reported graduates enjoying average pay increases over 2023 (including 46 Northwestern Kellogg grads who saw their fortunes decline by over $20,000 from 2023). However, Emory Goizueta beat this trend in 2024, as grads drove a $12,000 increase in base pay rise on average. In terms of ceilings, there were 16 business schools that reported a 2024 graduate (or more) earning $200,000 in base to start, led by Chicago Booth ($400,000) and Harvard Business School ($375,000).