Analysis: Kellogg MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

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

•    By Industry: Kellogg MBA Salary and Placements (2024)
•    By Location: Kellogg MBA Salary and Placements (2024)
•    By Top Employers: Kellogg MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

By Industry: Kellogg MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

Consulting cool down despite a stable $190,000 base salary

Consulting remains the dominant sector for Kellogg graduates, accounting for 35% of hires with a median base salary of $190,000 and a signing bonus of $30,000—consistent with last year’s figures. However, the hiring rate has fallen from 41.91% in 2023, suggesting a cooling demand for consultants across the board. This decline aligns with broader industry trends as Consulting firms recalibrate recruitment strategies in response to economic uncertainty. For comparison, Wharton’s Consulting hires stood at 25.2%, while Booth reported 33.8%—both lower than Kellogg’s but reflecting similar market contractions. 

Financial Service – Marginal Dip (Outlier compared to Peer Schools)

In Financial services, 19% of Kellogg graduates entered the industry, a drop from 22.02% in 2023. The median base salary of $173,000 represents a slight decrease from last year’s $175,000, and the signing bonus fell significantly to $40,000 from $50,000. Booth, in contrast, placed 32.9% of its graduates in Finance with a higher $175,000 median salary and $50,000 signing bonus, indicating stronger performance in Finance recruitment. Wharton leads this category with 36.6% of graduates hired into financial services, reflecting the school’s continued dominance in this space. Harvard and Stanford show higher base salaries in Finance, with Stanford reaching $200,000 for Finance hires, underscoring the strong demand for Finance talent from these programs. 

Technology – The Rising Industry, an Exception, with Better Pay than Booth 

In the Technology sector, Kellogg saw 20% of its graduates entering the field in 2024, with a median base salary of $157,000 and a signing bonus of $42,150, resulting in a total salary of $199,150. This marks a notable rise in hiring from 16.7% the previous year. In comparison, Wharton reported 14.1% of its graduates entering Technology with a higher median base salary of $162,750. Booth's Technology hiring rate stood at 14.8%, with a median salary of $152,000 and a $37,500 signing bonus, totaling $189,500. Meanwhile, MIT Sloan had 19% of its graduates enter Technology, with a median salary of $161,375. Harvard's rate for Technology hires was 16%, with a base salary of $165,000 and a $25,000 signing bonus, totaling $190,000. Stanford led the group with 22% of graduates in Technology, with a base salary of $185,000, although the signing bonus was lower at $17,500, bringing the total to $202,500.

Healthcare – Another Growth Industry

Healthcare witnessed significant growth at Kellogg, with 9% of graduates entering the sector—up from 3.18% in 2023. This rise suggests increased confidence in the stability and growth potential of the Healthcare industry post-pandemic. The median base salary rose to $140,000 from $132,500 last year, reflecting broader wage increases across the industry. Booth’s Healthcare hires stood at 4.1% with a slightly higher $145,000 median salary, while Stanford reported 6% Healthcare hires at $160,000—showing stronger compensation at peer institutions. 

Harvard’s Healthcare sector showed 6% hires at a competitive $165,000 salary. The lower salaries at Kellogg may reflect the diversity of Healthcare roles, with more graduates entering operational or general management positions rather than specialized or higher-paying roles in biotech or pharma.

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) – More Representation at Low Pay

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) remained steady at 7%, with a median base salary of $128,000—similar to last year’s $128,500. However, the signing bonus increased to $35,000 from $30,000, reflecting competitive pressures to attract talent in this traditionally lower-paying industry. Booth’s CPG hires constituted only 2.3% at the same salary level, while Columbia reported 5.2% of hires in consumer products with a $134,750 median salary. Harvard’s 3% hire rate for consumer products came with a notably higher $150,000 base salary, indicating that Kellogg’s strength in this area is in volume rather than compensation.

Manufacturing – 1% Growth

Manufacturing hires at Kellogg remained low at 2%, with a median base salary of $136,186, a slight increase from $131,000 in 2023. This increase mirrors broader inflationary pressures, but salaries remain lower than Harvard’s manufacturing hires, which stood at 5% with a $165,000 base. Booth’s 2.4% manufacturing hires earned $140,000, placing Kellogg slightly behind.

Media/Entertainment 

Media/Entertainment maintained 2% hiring at Kellogg with a median base salary of $140,000, slightly higher than Booth’s $140,000 for 1.6% of graduates. Stanford reported 5% hires in media at a higher $150,000 base salary, highlighting Kellogg’s growing appeal in the entertainment space, but salaries trailed behind that of  Stanford.

Final Take

Overall, Kellogg’s employment outcomes reflect the shifting priorities of graduates and market dynamics, with continued strength in Consulting and Technology, moderate gains in Healthcare, and stable performance in CPG and manufacturing. While Kellogg shows resilience in Consulting hires, the drop from last year points to industry-wide slowdowns. 

Kellogg MBA graduates’  growing presence in Technology and Healthcare suggests strategic diversification, positioning Kellogg to handle market shocks in the next 1-3 years.

By Location: Kellogg MBA Salary and Placements (2024)

Kellogg’s 2024 employment report highlights consistent domestic hiring, with 94% of graduates securing roles in North America and 6% internationally, aligning with last year’s figures. 

Midwest – Kellogg’s Strongest Region

The Midwest remained Kellogg’s strongest hiring region, accounting for 36% of hires – a notable increase from 32% in 2023. The growth reflects Kellogg’s deep-rooted connections to the Chicago business ecosystem, where firms in Consulting, Healthcare, and manufacturing continue to drive demand. Compared to peers, Kellogg’s Midwest placement far exceeds Wharton (3.6%), Stanford (4%), and Harvard (6%), reinforcing the brand’s regional dominance.

West and Technology Spike

The West accounted for 27% of hires, up from 22.75% in 2023. The growth reflects increasing interest in Technology and venture capital roles across San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Kellogg’s West Coast placements now rival Wharton (21.5%), Booth (20.8%), and MIT (19%) but still trail Stanford’s 45%.

East – Finance Slowdown

The East saw a slight decline, with 21% of hires compared to 24.4% last year. This shift mirrors broader trends as financial services and Consulting roles decentralize from the Northeast to emerging hubs in Texas and Florida. Nonetheless, Kellogg maintains a solid presence in the East, though it lags behind Wharton (46.8%), Harvard (49%), and MIT (47.5%), reflecting Wharton’s and Harvard’s continued dominance in New York, Boston, and Finance-heavy markets.

South – Closing in on double-digit demand

The South experienced significant growth, with 9% of hires compared to 3.93% in 2023. The shift aligns with the relocation of tech firms and financial services to Texas and Florida, driven by tax incentives and lower operating costs. Kellogg’s Southern placements now surpass Booth’s 4.3% and Wharton’s 4.7%, signaling a broader trend of MBA graduates pursuing opportunities in Austin, Dallas, and Miami.

International Hires

International hiring remained stable at 6%, consistent with Wharton and Booth but lower than Columbia’s 21% and Stanford’s 9%. 

Asia accounted for most international placements at 3.37%, reflecting demand for Consulting and Finance roles in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. However, this figure lags behind Wharton’s 3.9% in Asia. Kellogg’s European placements, while lower, align with peers like Booth (1.4%), underscoring a steady but modest demand for MBA talent across London and Zurich.

Final Take

Overall, Kellogg’s 2024 employment trends underscore its stronghold in the Midwest and West, while increased hiring in the South reflects shifting economic dynamics. However, the school’s slower growth in the Northeast highlights areas where competitors, like Wharton and Harvard, maintain an advantage, particularly in Finance and Consulting hubs.

Top Employers: Kellogg MBA Employment Report 2024

Only School where Big 3 Showed Consistent Presence

The Big Three Consulting firms (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) continue to dominate Kellogg’s top employer list alongside Deloitte. This mirrors last year’s hiring patterns but marks a shift away from boutique and specialized consulting firms - AlixPartners, Alvarez & Marsal, EY-Parthenon, and PwC Strategy&, which hired at least three graduates in 2023. 

The consolidation around MBB and Deloitte reflects the increasing demand for strategic Consulting roles and the rising competition for top-tier talent. Kellogg’s traditional strength in Consulting places it on par with peers like Booth, Wharton, and MIT, all of which report significant MBB hiring.

Except for Morgan Stanley, Other top Finance Players Present

Kellogg’s financial services hiring in 2024 leans heavily toward top-tier investment banks – Bank of America, Evercore, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase. Compared to 2023, firms like Morgan Stanley, Guggenheim Partners, and Robert W. Baird are absent from the list. The shift suggests a concentration in the bulge bracket and elite boutique firms, aligning with the renewed strength in M&A and private equity niches.

Apple and Google Make a Rare Appearance in M7 School

Adobe, Amazon, Apple, and Google reappear as Kellogg’s top tech employers, consistent with 2023. However, notable absences include Intuit and Microsoft, which hired three or more graduates last year. The shift reflects changing priorities amid AI and cloud computing driving demand at firms like Google and Amazon. 

Kellogg’s technology placement closely mirrors Stanford and MIT but trails behind as both schools report higher overall technology placement, driven by West Coast proximity.

CPG – Shift to Big Players

The CPG sector shows a consolidation around P&G, Kimberly-Clark, Kraft Heinz, and Nike, marking a shift from 2023, where smaller players like HelloFresh also recruited actively. This suggests that larger CPG firms are increasing hiring, potentially driven by brand expansion and global market growth. Kellogg’s strong CPG focus aligns with its marketing leadership, distinguishing it from Wharton and Booth, where CPG hiring is less pronounced.

Kellogg’s Healthcare – Increase in BioTech and Healthcare Hiring

Kellogg’s Healthcare hiring in 2024 highlights major firms like Amgen, Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, and Oak St. Health. This represents an increase in biotech and Healthcare provider hiring, reflecting broader industry growth. Compared to 2023, where Healthcare employers were not distinctly highlighted, the new trend aligns with MBA’s interest in Healthcare leadership and innovation.

 Reference

• Kellogg MBA Employment Report