The Real ROI of a Berkeley Haas MBA by Industry

Thinking about applying to UC Berkeley Haas School of Business? If so, you’re probably curious about what the employment outcomes look like—and whether the ROI justifies the investment. In this post, we break down the Class of 2024 employment data, including average salaries by industry, top recruiters, and trends worth noting.

📺 Watch the full video analysis here for granular breakdowns and real insight:
👉 https://youtu.be/99veKO3lNFo

💸 Industry Breakdown & Average Salaries

🧠 Consulting

• Top earners in the class

• Average base salary: ~$175,000–$185,000

• Notable employers include McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and strategy boutiques

💻 Technology & Tech-Driven Roles

• A major destination for Haas grads

• Average base salary: ~$160,000–$170,000, with equity and signing bonuses in play

• Companies include Google, Apple, Meta, and Salesforce

💵 Finance & Investment Banking

• Strong returns, especially in corporate finance or fintech

• Average base salary: ~$145,000–$155,000

• Employers include Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and fintech startups

🚗 Consumer Products, Retail & Marketing

• Roles span brand management, analytics, or product marketing

• Average base salary: ~$140,000–$150,000

• Recruiters include Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and tech brands

🔬 Healthcare, BioTech & Impact Roles

• Slightly lower base pay, but fast growth potential

• Average base salary: ~$130,000–$140,000, with strong equity or PSU components

• Employers include health-tech startups, pharma firms, and consulting in life sciences

🌍 Geographic Trends

• 40–45% of grads stay in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially in tech and consulting

• East Coast presence (~25%) driven by finance and startup hubs (New York, Boston)

• International placements: Gradually increasing, including in Europe and Asia-Pacific

✅ What This Means for Prospective Applicants

• Consulting and Tech roles lead the value pursuit at Haas

• Moderate growth but still solid pay in sectors like healthcare, impact, or nonprofit

• West Coast advantage = access to high-paying tech and innovation roles

• San Francisco location offers unmatched startup exposure

🧭 Considerations Before You Apply

• Understand that salary potential differs significantly by function

• If your passion lies in non-consulting or non-finance areas, weigh in your long-term goals carefully

• Haas’s culture of innovation, diversity, and leadership often opens doors beyond just paychecks

🎯 Final Thoughts

The Haas MBA offers impressive salaries and diverse career options, particularly for those looking to enter consulting or tech. But true ROI is shaped by your function, geographical ambition, and long-term trajectory—not just base salary.

Want help tailoring your post-MBA goals or comparing Haas with other top schools? Drop a comment or connect anytime.