For many MBAs, a career at McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, or the Boston Consulting Group is the ultimate example of success. In fact, more than one in three graduating MBAs from top programs landed jobs in the consulting industry. A consulting career can offer unparalleled variety in a number of different industries, which makes it all the more attractive. Plus, the consulting industry pays well, with median salaries around $130,000.
So, if you’re looking to enter a career in consulting in Los Angeles, where should you get your MBA?
Best Los Angeles MBAs for a Consulting Career
Marshall School of Business at USC
In LA, the best MBA for a consulting career is at the Marshall School of Business. 20.1% of the Marshall School MBA class accepted a career in consulting, with a mean salary base of $115,650. It was the most sought after career field and the most lucrative.
There’s no doubt that the choice to work in consulting is a logical result of the Marshall School’s emphasis on the consulting industry. They place extreme emphasis on consulting, particularly in the following areas:
- Upon completion of their core curriculum, MBA students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 can complete an independent Consulting Project in Business. The project allows students to work one-on-one with their supervising faculty member to design and execute their research plan.
- The Marshall School also offers a Graduate Certificate in Strategy and Management Consulting. The Certificate provides students with the tools, concepts, and frameworks necessary for a consulting career. Students complete hands-on projects to enhance their skill sets and learn to diagnose strategic issues in complex settings.
- The Marshall Global Consulting Challenge is held each year and gives students the opportunity to prepare and present strategic consulting plans to a panel of industry professionals. The competition lasts four weeks and invites MBAs from around the globe to compete for lucrative prizes.
- The Marshall Consulting & Strategy Club (MCSC) is the largest club at Marshall and is home to over 300 MBA candidates. The club offers rigorous case preparation, mentorship, large-scale career nights, and panel events.
Anderson School of Management at UCLA
If the Marshall School isn’t for you, consider heading to the Anderson School of Management for a career in consulting. 17.9% of their MBA graduates go into a career in consulting, second only to technology. As for job functions, 20.9% of MBA grads work as a consultant, the most sought after job function.
There are many key benefits to Anderson MBAs looking for a career in consulting. A few of the most important are outlined below:
- Anderson School’s Consulting Teams offer a unique opportunity for MBAs and LA companies alike. The Consulting Teams are made up of five, second-year MBA candidates who contribute approximately 800-1,000 hours of strategic work over a 20-week period. The MBA team provides organizations with a comprehensive written report as well as a polished final presentation to senior managers.
- UCLA offers the Management Consulting Association, which is committed to promoting the interests of students considering a career in management consulting. The association holds career nights, promotes speaker series, creates case interview workshops, and more.
- MBA students at the Anderson School also have an opportunity to choose a career path in consulting, with a variety of electives to fit their individual needs. MBAs have the option to choose electives across four consulting career fields: General Management Consulting, Financial Consulting, Marketing Consulting, and Operations Consulting.
Paul Merage School of Business University of California at Irvine
For the Paul Merage MBA class of 2015, 25% of all graduates went into a career in consulting. The Merage School not only offers one of the top Full-Time MBA programs in the country—ranked twenty-first in the nation by Financial Times 2016—but it also offers one of the best programs for individuals considering a career in consulting. There are two particular opportunities that make it stand out for MBA candidates:
- Merage Consulting Association: The Merage Consulting Association supports career development in the consulting industry by providing students with information and education. The Association offers students the opportunity to learn real skills, meet influencers at consulting companies, and develop strong business and social networks.
- MBA Consulting Program: The MBA Consulting Program offers fully employed MBA students with the opportunity to gain consulting experience with an established company. Students engage in a 10-week project for course credit that allows MBAs to put their business skills and tools into practice.
Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University
Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Bloomberg BusinessWeek consistently rank the Graziadio School among the best MBA programs. MBAs who attend the University receive access to leading faculty, world-class entrepreneurs, and top business leaders. Students also have unique opportunities to gain more knowledge about the consulting industry. However, only 4% of Graziadio School MBA graduates go into a career in consulting.
- Consulting Collective: MBA students at the Graziadio School can join the Consulting Collective, which seeks to unite students who are interested in all aspects of strategic problem solving. It provides a hands-on opportunity for members to learn about varying avenues of consulting and interact with industry professionals.
- Education to Business: A 14-week b-program, the Education to Business course is considered one of the top courses for MBAs in the U.S. It gives students a unique opportunity to act as consultants for companies who have come to the Graziadio School for assistance with real-time business challenges.