For consulting jobs in MBB firms, is Duke Fuqua MBA or Wharton MBA better for Indian students in terms of placement rates, average salary, and chances of getting US work visas?

Question

V Gupta · Accepted Answer

For consulting jobs at MBB, Wharton has a clear edge over Duke Fuqua when it comes to placement volume and average salaries. Wharton sends a very large portion of its class into consulting, with McKinsey, Bain, and BCG consistently hiring dozens of graduates every year. Average consulting salaries for Wharton MBAs are around $175K base plus sign-on bonuses, which is slightly higher than Fuqua&rsquo;s $165K&ndash;$170K range.
That said, Fuqua is still a strong feeder into consulting, especially McKinsey and Bain, and the culture fit is often praised by recruiters. For Indian students, the bigger concern isn&rsquo;t salary but visa sponsorship. Both schools&rsquo; STEM designation helps by giving 3 years of OPT, which increases H-1B lottery chances. Wharton offers a broader global alumni network, while Fuqua&rsquo;s close-knit alumni base can give more personalized referrals, which sometimes makes the job hunt less daunting.

B.K Sharma · Answer

When comparing Fuqua and Wharton for MBB consulting, it&rsquo;s less about whether both can get you in &mdash; they can &mdash; and more about the scale and certainty of outcomes.
Here&rsquo;s what usually differentiates them: &bull; Wharton has higher placement numbers into MBB simply because of its larger consulting pipeline and brand reputation in finance-heavy circles. &bull; Fuqua&rsquo;s consulting placements are smaller in number but proportionally strong, with firms like BCG and Bain consistently recruiting. &bull; Salaries are higher at Wharton on paper, but once bonuses and cost of living are factored in, the gap narrows. &bull; For Indian students, the visa situation is nearly identical at both schools since both have STEM extension, giving 3 years of OPT.
One often overlooked factor is competition. At Wharton, you&rsquo;re up against hundreds of classmates aiming for the same MBB roles. At Fuqua, the pool is smaller, and students often highlight that they received more interview prep and support directly from peers and career services.For more detail you can read these blogs on "Duke MBA" and "Wharton MBA"

Ishaan M · Answer

Both Wharton and Duke Fuqua MBAs offer strong consulting placements, but Wharton clearly has the edge for MBB outcomes. About 30&ndash;35% of Wharton grads enter consulting, with McKinsey, BCG, and Bain among top recruiters. The median consulting salary is around $190,000, plus signing bonuses of $30K&ndash;40K.
At Fuqua, consulting also dominates placements &mdash; roughly 37% of graduates go into the field, with an average base of about $175,000. However, MBB hiring volume and post-MBA international opportunities are generally higher at Wharton due to its broader alumni network and brand recognition.
For Indian students, visa chances are similar since both qualify under the H-1B cap. Wharton&rsquo;s stronger employer sponsorship base slightly improves long-term US placement odds.