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The statistics from Harvard do not back you up: http://www.hbs.edu/recruiting/data/Pages/detailed-charts.aspx http://www.hbs.edu/recruiting/data/Pages/detailed

The statistics from Harvard do not back you up: http://www.hbs.edu/recruiting/data/Pages/detailed-charts.aspx http://www.hbs.edu/recruiting/data/Pages/detailed-charts.asp... 10 years down the line the spread between having an MBA and not will be significant, but right after MBA school very few people (10%?) have a starting salary of even $200k. I'm sure there is a guy that came out and made $500k, but it's not anyone outside of the top 10% within the the best program in the country. I'm considering getting an MBA (I am currently a senior software engineer, previously have been a mechanical engineer). I know that for myself personally, an MBA would definitely be a financial setback over the next 3 years. Long term, 10+ years out, it would be a big gain. I'm considering doing it, but the cost is turning me off a bit. As another anecdote, the best "business" guy I know from my graduating class (in fact, the valedictorian from a class of 5000 people) is also considering an MBA. He is in the same boat that I am - the salaries for most people upon MBA graduation are lower than our current salaries. So what's the point? Yet 10 years from now, not having an MBA will be a liability, because other people with MBA's attribute their success to them and are skeptical of those without.

ryandrake 11y ago
I'd like to see stats on salaries 10 years out, MINUS the folks who went into consulting or banking. If you get your MBA and make it into those industries, you're going to see fantastic year-over-year salary/bonus growth. If you, say, go back to a tech company and do marketing or finance, you're not going to see those huge gains, and a top school may not be worth it financially--basically you'd be doing the degree for the career change and not for a salary rocketship.
- krschultz 11y ago
  I saw a few of your comments in this thread and I'm really interested in hearing more about your experience with the MBA. Do you have time for an email? My address is my hn handle @ gmail.
aliston 11y ago
I'd love to see stats on this as well -- does anyone know if they exist, particularly vs someone who stays on a technical track (eng. manager -> director of eng. -> vp of eng -> cto).
dataker 11y ago
Problem is that you're only considering base salary. If you get into IB/PE your annual bonus can be a lot more than that. And yes, many overlook at the fact most MBAs already had considerable previous work experience.

ryandrake 11y ago

I'd like to see stats on salaries 10 years out, MINUS the folks who went into consulting or banking. If you get your MBA and make it into those industries, you're going to see fantastic year-over-year salary/bonus growth. If you, say, go back to a tech company and do marketing or finance, you're not going to see those huge gains, and a top school may not be worth it financially--basically you'd be doing the degree for the career change and not for a salary rocketship.

krschultz 11y ago
I saw a few of your comments in this thread and I'm really interested in hearing more about your experience with the MBA. Do you have time for an email? My address is my hn handle @ gmail.

aliston 11y ago

I'd love to see stats on this as well -- does anyone know if they exist, particularly vs someone who stays on a technical track (eng. manager -> director of eng. -> vp of eng -> cto).

dataker 11y ago

Problem is that you're only considering base salary. If you get into IB/PE your annual bonus can be a lot more than that. And yes, many overlook at the fact most MBAs already had considerable previous work experience.