Best Consulting MBA Programs

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Dr. Jed Macosko

Published: May 17, 2024

Best MBA Consulting Programs

Harvard University

Program Duration: 2 yrs.
Tuition fee: $76,410

Columbia University

Program Duration: 2-year full-time MBA or 2-year part-time executive MBA
Tuition fee: $77,376 per year

University of Pennsylvania

Program Duration: 20 mos.
Tuition fee: $84,830

Dartmouth College

Program Duration: 2 yrs.
Tuition fee: $77,520

University of California, Berkeley

Program Duration: 2 yrs.
Tuition fees: $69,814

Duke University

Program Duration: 21 mos.
Tuition fees: $75,000

Northwestern University

Program Duration: 2 yrs.
Tuition fees: $81,015

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Program Duration: 2 yrs.
Tuition fees: $84,350

Key Takeaways

MBA specializations in finance, marketing, or entrepreneurship are the best choices for a career in consulting.
The highest-paying consulting jobs are as a marketing consultant, with an average salary of $94,151 per year.
Major hubs like New York, London, or Chicago can be the best places for a successful career for consultants.

Table of Contents

If you’re an aspiring consultant, the next big step in your journey is acquiring an MBA degree in the field. However, the widespread availability of the program may raise more questions than answers in your mind.

Well, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up the best consulting MBA programs so you can easily decide which one best aligns with your dreams!

Woman signing documents, while the person seated beside her are sorting documents

Best Consulting MBA Programs

When choosing a business school to maximize your potential within consulting, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, you may want to stay close to major consulting hubs like New York, London, or Chicago for easier networking. Also, you might consider talking to alumni for firsthand experience with consulting roles.

However, when exploring the best consulting MBA programs, you may dig into features like the median salary, tuition costs, or the percentage of consulting. We understand that it might be overwhelming, so we’ve put together the best consulting MBA programs along with the critical factors that can help you make an informed decision.

#1
Harvard University
Cambridge , MA
#1 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #1 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2024 #1 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024 #1 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
3%
Graduation
98%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/35
Career Outlook for MBA degree at Harvard University
Cost of Degree: $53,760
Expenses: $26,277
Starting Salary: $189,796
Salary after 4 years: $232,442
Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes (New England Commission of Higher Education)
- Graduates Employed at Graduation: 70.8%
- Acceptance rate: 13.2%
Overview of Harvard Business University
- Tuition fee: $76,410
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Percentage into consulting: 21%
- Median Salary: $175,000
What Do We Love About Harvard Business School?
Founded in 1908, Harvard Business School has made leadership development the core component of its curriculum. HBS focuses on building the skills required to carry out different consulting roles successfully, such as career consultancy, financial consultancy, and strategy consultancy.
The highlight of Harvard’s MBA in consultancy is its emphasis on peer learning and collaboration. This creates strong networks and fosters mutual growth, which paves the way for a great future in consultancy for you.
- Harvard Business School is great for students who: Wish to build an extensive network in a prestigious institution since HBS is renowned for its reputation and extensive alumni network with tons of opportunities.
- Harvard Business School might not be the best fit for those who: Prefer a less competitive environment since the MBA consulting program at Harvard is known for its demanding workload.
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#2
Columbia University
New York , NY
#2 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #3 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024 #3 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024 #3 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$66K
Acceptance
4%
Graduation
95%
Student body
37K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/34
Career Outlook for MBA degree at Columbia University
Cost of Degree: $54,627
Expenses: $19,958
Starting Salary: $157,731
Salary after 4 years: $193,172
Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB International)
- Graduates Employed at Graduation: 73.4%
- Acceptance rate: 4%
Overview of Columbia Business School
- Tuition fee: $77,376 per year
- Program Duration: 2-year full-time MBA or 2-year part-time executive MBA
- Percentage into consulting: 33%
- Median Salary: $175,000
What Do We Love About Columbia Business School?
Located in New York City, Columbia Business School provides its students with tons of opportunities in the consulting field. This is why graduates from CBS excel in consulting roles, with a strong quantitative foundation developed over time. Nearly every class focuses on finance, which is the backbone of most consulting jobs out there.
More so, graduates from Columbia Business School are proficient at sourcing, analyzing, and interpreting data.
- Columbia Business School is great for students who: Are looking for direct employment after the degree as about 90% of CBS graduates get employed within 3 months of graduation.
- Columbia Business School might not be the best fit for those who: Prefer a comprehensive curriculum that includes classes in areas other than finance, especially leadership.
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#3
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia , PA
#5 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online #9 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2024 #10 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024 #10 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
96%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/34
Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Pennsylvania
Cost of Degree: $44,162
Expenses: $22,286
Starting Salary: $179,562
Salary after 4 years: $219,909
Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB)
- Graduates Employed at Graduation: 83.9%
- Acceptance rate: 24.8%
Overview of Wharton School of Business
- Tuition fee: $84,830
- Program Duration: 20 months
- Percentage into consulting: 34.1%
- Median Salary: $175,000
What Do We Love About Wharton School of Business?
According to the US News Rankings, the Wharton School of Business ranks #1 among the best business schools in the US. Founded in 1881 and being a part of the Ivy League, it’s one of the oldest schools in town with a deep-rooted focus on the “give and take” concept, making its MBA in consulting a catch for many.
The best part? Wharton’s two-year MBA program invites students from over 80 countries globally, facilitating great networking opportunities. These networks then pave the way for opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and career growth on an international scale.
- Wharton School of Business is great for students who: Want extracurriculars alongside a comprehensive MBA. Wharton has a diverse range of clubs, from athletic and social to cultural and professional.
- Wharton School of Business might not be the best fit for those who: Despite its global reach, Wharton maintains a selective admissions process, with a competitive acceptance rate of 24.8%.
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#4
Dartmouth College
Hanover , NH
#18 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #21 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #22 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #23 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
95%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/34
Career Outlook for MBA degree at Dartmouth College
Cost of Degree: $61,056
Expenses: $21,144
Starting Salary: $150,363
Salary after 4 years: $184,149
Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes (New England Commission of Higher Education)
- Graduates Employed at Graduation: 88.4%
- Acceptance rate: 40.1%
Overview of Tuck School of Business
- Tuition fee: $77,520
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Percentage into consulting: 46%
- Median Salary: $190,000
What Do We Love About Tuck School of Business?
Founded in 1900, Tuck School of Business was established as the first graduate school offering a master’s in business administration. At this school, providing hands-on learning experiences to the students is the top priority. As soon as you complete your first-year project course, you may jump into the field to work as a consultant.
Better yet, you can choose from over 100 electives once you’re in the second year. Additionally, the campus community at Tuck School is designed to promote collaboration, friendship, and relationship-building both inside and outside the classroom by assigning students to small study teams from the very beginning.
- Tuck School of Business is great for students who: Wish to live in a close-knit residential community since the close proximity of off-campus residence makes socializing outside school easier.
- Tuck School of Business might not be the best fit for those who: Prefer studying alone, since the university places exceptional focus on a collaborative learning environment.
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#5
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley , CA
#1 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024 #1 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024 #1 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
94%
Student body
48K
Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of California, Berkeley
Cost of Degree: $14,476
Expenses: $28,648
Starting Salary: $123,871
Salary after 4 years: $152,589
Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB)
- Graduated Employed at Graduation: 75.4%
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
Overview of Berkeley Haas
- Tuition fees: $69,814
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Percentage into consulting: 28.1%
- Median salary: $192,000
What Do We Love About Berkeley Haas?
The Berkeley Haas MBA program has a strong connection with consulting, attracting a huge fraction of students to establish a career in this field. On average, one out of four Berkeley Haas graduates jumps into consulting, producing top-tier talent in the industry. The best thing is, students can secure positions at leading consulting firms such as McKinsey, Bain, or Deloitte.
However, what really sets Berkeley Haas apart is the Haas Consulting Group, exclusively designed for students wanting to build a career in consulting. With training sessions, networking opportunities, and other resources, the club helps you secure top-notch positions at leading consulting firms.
- Berkeley Haas is great for students who: Prefer career help directly from industry specialists since they can join hands with experts to craft industry-specific resumes or navigate the complexities of the application process.
- Berkeley Haas might not be the best fit for those who: Are looking for more campus facilities, since the resources at Haas are limited and the facilities may be subpar for some students.
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#6
Duke University
Durham , NC
#1 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #7 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online #11 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
97%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1530/34
Career Outlook for MBA degree at Duke University
Cost of Degree: $61,522
Expenses: $20,061
Starting Salary: $156,230
Salary after 4 years: $191,334
Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB and SACSCOC)
- Graduates Employed at Graduation: 86.6%
- Acceptance rate: 22.1%
Overview of the Fuqua School of Business
- Tuition fees: $75,000
- Program duration: 21 months
- Percentage into consulting: 32%
- Median salary: $175,000
What Do We Love About Fuqua School of Business?
Founded in 1969, Fuqua School of Business is on most students’ radar for its MBA consulting program, and for good reason. With over 16 concentrations to choose from, you can customize your curriculum to align with specific career goals. Unlike traditional programs, Fuqua’s curriculum has fewer core classes, letting you choose electives sooner.
Through projects, case studies, and simulations, FBS challenges students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world business scenarios. The cherry on top is that Fuqua’s student community can stay on campus over the weekend and build support networks to advance their careers in specialized MBA degrees.
- Fuqua School of Business is great for students who: Prefer cross-cultural interactions, since FSB brings together people from different regions, including Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America.
- Fuqua School of Business might not be the best fit for those who: Want top-ranking schools since Fuqua ranks slightly lower compared to others on the list.
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Woman smiling widely while she's in a meeting with her boss

#7
Northwestern University
Evanston , IL
#14 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #15 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2024 #16 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #17 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
97%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1530/34
Career Outlook for MBA degree at Northwestern University
Cost of Degree: $53,024
Expenses: $25,926
Starting Salary: $127,440
Salary after 4 years: $156,075
Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes, AACSB
- Graduates Employed at Graduation: 85.6%
- Acceptance rate: 33.3%
Overview of the Kellogg School of Management
- Tuition fees: $81,015
- Program duration: 2 year
- Percentage into consulting: 41.91%
- Median salary: $190,000
What Do We Love About Kellogg School of Management?
Kellogg School of Management is yet another fantastic choice for aspiring consultants to pursue their MBA. If you’re into research work, KSM has your back with multiple researchers who have made huge contributions to different fields.
Plus, the curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded learning experience through team projects, case studies, lectures, and experiential learning. The good news, however, is that you may even complete the MBA program within a year by completing courses throughout the four quarters.
- Kellogg School of Management is great for students who: Want more student-faculty interactions. At Kellogg School of Management, students join hands with professors to hold several conferences throughout the program tenure.
- Kellogg School of Management might not be the best fit for those who: Are looking for specializations in different fields, since Kellogg has a relatively narrower curriculum than other schools on the list.
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#8
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge , MA
#3 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #3 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2024 #4 Best Universities in the World 2024 #5 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
4%
Graduation
95%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1555/35
Career Outlook for MBA degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $61,075
Expenses: $21,864
Starting Salary: $209,580
Salary after 4 years: $256,672
Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB)
- Graduates Employed at Graduation: 80.5%
- Acceptance rate: 17.8%
Overview of the Sloan School of Management
- Tuition fees: $84,350
- Program duration: 2 year
- Percentage into consulting: 33.7%
- Median salary: $190,000
What Do We Love About Sloan School of Management?
Founded in 1914, Sloan School of Management has managed to remain among the top graduate institutions in the US. Located in Cambridge, Sloan gets most of its spotlight from the academic community around, with 59 other colleges located nearby. Plus, it’s known for offering dual degree programs and conducting frequent research.
MIT Sloan uses the popular case method, combining lectures, team projects, and hands-on action learning labs to build an engaging learning environment. With a total of 144 elective units available, students can choose from many offerings designed to provide real-world learning experiences and specialized knowledge in their desired areas of focus.
- Sloan School of Management is great for students who: Perform better in collaborative environments. MIT Sloan groups students into six cohorts, depending on their interests, which connects them to other students.
- Sloan School of Management might not be the best fit for those who: Don’t perform well under pressure, since Sloan School of Management has a pretty high workload when it comes to their MBA programs.
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Skills Required For Consulting Jobs

Let’s be real, being a great entrepreneur won’t automatically qualify you as a good consultant. Instead, there’s a separate skill set you need to develop for consulting success, especially if you prefer working solo over collaboration. Here’s a quick rundown of the key skills required for consulting jobs:

Effective communication
A broad perspective
Strong collaboration/teamwork skills
Proficiency in utilizing digital tools
Analyzing and resolving business cases
Addressing intricate issues
Improvisation

While these are the basic skills you need to possess to qualify for top consulting positions, these alone won’t suffice. To make sure you’re the right candidate, it’s equally important to be intellectually curious and willing to learn more.

Conclusion

After knowing the best consulting MBA programs, it’s time to pick the school that best serves your interests. While it may be daunting, checking for factors like percentage consulting, median salaries, networking opportunities, and institute reputation and accreditation beforehand can help you build a fruitful career in consulting!

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Best Consulting MBA Programs

Best MBA Consulting Programs

Key Takeaways

Best Consulting MBA Programs

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Harvard University

Overview of Harvard Business University

What Do We Love About Harvard Business School?

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Columbia University

Overview of Columbia Business School

What Do We Love About Columbia Business School?

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Pennsylvania

Overview of Wharton School of Business

What Do We Love About Wharton School of Business?

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Dartmouth College

Overview of Tuck School of Business

What Do We Love About Tuck School of Business?

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of California, Berkeley

Overview of Berkeley Haas

What Do We Love About Berkeley Haas?

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Duke University

Overview of the Fuqua School of Business

What Do We Love About Fuqua School of Business?

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Northwestern University

Overview of the Kellogg School of Management

What Do We Love About Kellogg School of Management?

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Overview of the Sloan School of Management

What Do We Love About Sloan School of Management?

Skills Required For Consulting Jobs

Related Questions

What MBA major is best for consulting?

What is the highest-paying consulting job?

Do I need a master’s degree for consulting?

Conclusion