Duke vs Cornell MBA — which is better ROI for consulting?

Question

I’m an Indian applicant with a 710 GMAT and 4 years in Big 4 advisory. My goal is to move into consulting post-MBA. I’ve got admits from both Duke Fuqua and Cornell Johnson. When I look at tuition fees, possible scholarships, and post-MBA salaries, which school gives a stronger ROI for someone like me?

V Gupta · Accepted Answer

For consulting careers, Duke Fuqua usually offers a stronger ROI than Cornell Johnson when comparing cost, scholarships, and placement outcomes. Fuqua has deeper ties with MBB firms and Big 4 consulting arms, with a higher percentage of its class entering consulting &mdash; around 30&ndash;35% each year. Average consulting salaries land in the $165K&ndash;$170K range, nearly identical to Johnson.
Where Fuqua pulls ahead is in employer reach and alumni support. The &ldquo;Team Fuqua&rdquo; culture translates into strong internal prep groups, which helps in cracking consulting interviews. On ROI specifically, Fuqua tuition is higher than Johnson&rsquo;s, but Fuqua tends to offer more competitive scholarships to strong Indian candidates in the 700&ndash;730 GMAT range. The broader consulting network plus 3-year OPT through STEM designation reduces long-term visa risk, making Fuqua the safer bet for consulting-focused ROI.

B.K Sharma · Answer

Choosing between Fuqua and Johnson for consulting isn&rsquo;t just about tuition &mdash; it&rsquo;s about how each school positions you in the recruiting pipeline.
Here&rsquo;s how it breaks down: &bull; Cornell Johnson&rsquo;s tuition is slightly lower, and living costs in Ithaca are cheaper than Durham, which can tilt short-term ROI in Johnson&rsquo;s favor if scholarships are comparable. &bull; Fuqua sends a larger share of its class to MBB, but Johnson has strong consulting placements too, especially with Deloitte, EY, and niche strategy firms. &bull; Post-MBA consulting salaries are nearly the same at both schools, so the deciding factor is access and prep support. &bull; Johnson&rsquo;s smaller class size means more personal attention from career services, while Fuqua&rsquo;s scale creates bigger interview prep ecosystems and alumni pipelines.
One point often overlooked: Johnson&rsquo;s immersion program lets you work directly with consulting-style projects before recruiting. For someone from Big 4 advisory, that practical edge could complement your profile and boost ROI despite the smaller network.
For more details you can read these blogs on "Duke MBA " and "Cornell MBA"

Hema A · Answer

For consulting ROI, Duke Fuqua generally edges ahead. Fuqua has stronger placement numbers in MBB and Tier-2 consulting, with many recruiters coming directly to campus. Average consulting salaries hover around $165k base plus signing/annual bonuses, which balances well against tuition. Fuqua also offers decent scholarships to strong profiles, and Indian candidates with a 710 and Big 4 advisory background often fall into that bracket.
Cornell Johnson does place into consulting too, but its recruiting base is smaller and leans more toward New York offices. ROI there is solid, but Fuqua&rsquo;s scale and brand in consulting give a clearer payoff.

Ishaan M · Answer

Both programs can take you into consulting, but the ROI looks slightly different.

Duke Fuqua: Broader consulting pipeline, especially with MBB and Deloitte. Post-MBA packages for consulting roles land around $165k&ndash;$170k plus bonuses. Strong alumni network in the U.S. South and Midwest.
Cornell Johnson: Smaller class size means less competition for on-campus roles, but the pool of consulting firms is narrower. Most placements are with Deloitte, EY-Parthenon, and a few MBB offices in New York. Salaries are similar, $160k&ndash;$165k.
On tuition, both cost around $150k+, but Johnson often gives competitive scholarships that can tip the ROI in its favor if aid is significant.

If consulting is the only goal, Fuqua has the stronger track record. If Johnson offers a large scholarship, the ROI gap can close quickly.