UA’s 2014 MBA Graduates See Bigger Salaries, Bonuses

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2014 class of MBA graduates in The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce is making more money and seeing bigger bonuses than last year’s MBA graduates.

The Manderson Graduate School of Business MBA class of 2014 job placement and salary numbers reveal significant increases in both categories.

Average starting salaries for UA MBA graduates increased by 10.4 percent compared to the class of 2013. Job placements for the MBA students within 90 days of graduation was 90 percent for the class of 2014 compared to 83.7 percent for the class of 2013.

“This is great news for our MBA program,” said Dr. J. Michael Hardin, dean of UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce. “These numbers reflect the dedication and drive of our faculty and staff to continue to build one of the top MBA programs in the country and one that has a direct benefit for our students. We also appreciate the great efforts from our corporate partners who hire our students, who are some of the best and brightest in the country.”

Other highlights indicate the top hiring companies as PwC, Regions, Cigna HealthSpring and Georgia-Pacific. The top industries include consulting, financial services and consumer products. Multiple graduates were also hired in technology, energy and manufacturing.

Students found full-time positions in 32 cities in 13 states and the District of Columbia. The average signing bonus also increased by more than 50 percent compared to last year.

“Our increases in MBA placements and starting salaries are a reflection of the quality of our students, our faculty’s ‘personal touch’ approach to student learning, the excellent work of our Manderson staff and the outstanding support of our corporate partners,” said Dr. Brian Gray, associate dean of UA’s Manderson Graduate School of Business.

“We continue to report our data based on the best practices of the MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance.”