All Answers
Student
The U.S. offers more job opportunities overall, mainly because of its larger economy and industry spread. Cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle are major hubs for finance, consulting, and tech. For international graduates from STEM-designated master’s programs, the OPT extension allows up to 3 years of work without employer sponsorship, which is a big advantage.
Top schools like MIT, Duke, and Columbia have 90%+ placement rates within 3 months. Starting salaries for MiM or MSBA grads can range from $75K to $100K, especially in roles like data analyst, financial associate, or consulting analyst. But hiring is competitive—many employers look for U.S.-based internships, so building experience during your course is key.
If you're targeting long-term stay and high-earning roles, the U.S. job market has more to offer—but it requires strategic planning.
The UK job market is smaller than the U.S., but access can be smoother—especially for students from top schools like LBS, Imperial, and Warwick. London remains a strong hub for finance, consulting, and marketing roles. Firms like EY, Deloitte, HSBC, and Amazon frequently hire international graduates through graduate schemes.
The Graduate Route visa allows students to stay and work for 2 years (3 for PhD grads) without sponsorship. While average salaries for MiM grads are typically around £40,000–£50,000, consulting roles can go up to £55,000+ at firms like BCG or Accenture.
The UK offers faster hiring cycles and simpler visa options, but roles are often London-centric, and salaries are lower compared to the U.S. If your goal is quicker job access and exposure in Europe, the UK works well. For higher earning potential and broader industries, the U.S. has the edge.
UK vs US: Which offers better jobs after your master’s? Watch now!
Business analyst
The US usually offers more job opportunities than the UK for MBA graduates, especially in high-growth sectors.
- The US job market is larger and more diverse. According to GMAC reports, over 90% of US MBA graduates from top schools secure jobs within 3 months of graduation.
- Top hiring sectors include consulting, tech, healthcare, finance, and even startups—offering roles like product manager, business development, and operations lead.
- Salaries in the US are also higher. For instance, average base salaries for MBAs from top 20 schools range from $135,000 to $160,000, excluding signing bonuses.
- US-based employers have long-standing relationships with MBA programs, resulting in more structured on-campus recruitment and summer internships turning into full-time offers.
- The H-1B visa process is competitive, but those in STEM-designated MBA programs get up to 3 years of OPT, which significantly increases job chances.
In comparison, the UK job market is solid for finance and consulting roles, especially in London. However, the number of roles is fewer, and salaries for similar positions can be lower by 25–30%. Visa options are simpler under the 2-year Graduate Route, but the breadth of roles and industries hiring MBAs is not as wide as in the US.
Education Expert
When it comes to job opportunities after an MBA, both the UK and US offer options, but the scale and outcome vary a lot.
In the US, companies across tech (Amazon, Google), consulting (Bain, BCG), and finance (J.P. Morgan, Citi) recruit thousands of MBAs every year from schools like Wharton, Kellogg, and Booth.
The number of MBA-level roles advertised in the US is significantly higher—LinkedIn regularly shows 3x more openings for MBA-relevant jobs in the US compared to the UK.
Visa remains a barrier, but many students manage to convert internships into full-time roles during their OPT period, which can last up to 3 years if the program is STEM-designated.
In the UK, hiring is more centralized in London, with consulting firms and investment banks being the major recruiters. Tech roles exist but are limited compared to the US. The salary gap matters, too. MBA grads in the US often earn $30,000–$40,000 more per year on average than those placed in the UK.
So while both countries offer opportunities, the US stands out for its volume of jobs, sector diversity, and higher pay—though visa uncertainty is a challenge many have to navigate.