Fair starting salary for an MBA

[ZowieHowie]

There was a job fair at my university, and I went around and spoke to some companies that I might be interested in working for. I finished my Undergrad (Bachelor's) degree in Management/Marketing, graduated Cum Laude, etc. I continued my education and will be receiving my MBA in May.

I was looking at the starting salaries for new MBAs. From what I have gathered, it seems to be within the 46K-52K range. That is for someone with no experience. I have 2 years of work experience. I got a call back today from one of the companies I spoke to, and they want me to come in for an interview. They told me the starting pay is around 30 for someone with a Bachelor's degree. I told them that I would have my MBA in May, but they say that they only offer 30 for MBAs also.

For those with MBAs, what range did you start at, or what is fair for someone in my situation?

 

[DannyLove]

that is extremely low, tell them to shove the offer up their ass and go hire a shhhhmuck.

 

[spidey07]

you're still entry level - that range is correct.

 

[CTrain]

Thats freakin low-balling.
A McDonalds assistant manager make that much.

 

[Rage187]

eh 35-40k sounds about right. Its also very dependent on where you live.

 

[da loser]

i guess that means they don't value MBAs

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: da loser
i guess that means they don't value MBAs

still entry level. one has not proven themselves yet out of school and are pretty clueless and company has to train them.


-edit- what I mean to say is starting salaries aren't much different for MBA, its after 5 years that it starts raking in.

 

[FlyLice]

Sounds about right for University of Central Florida (sounds like out of Adam Sandler movie).

 

[FlyLice]

Harvard, UPenn, Yale, top 10 is guarenteed $100k in corporate finance.

 

[NogginBoink]

You're approaching the problem from the wrong angle.

The MBA part is totally irrelevant.

What are the job responsibilities? That, more than anything, is the determinant of salary. An MBA flipping burgers still earns only $6 an hour.

 

[OS]

What school is this?

Makes me rethink my plan to go to USC for MBA.

 

[tboo]

Originally posted by: Rage187
eh 35-40k sounds about right. Its also very dependent on where you live.

 

[ManSnake]

It depends on whether you graduated from a top tier Bschool. MBAs from a top tier school (e.g. H/S/W/K/Chi/Col) usually find positions with investment banks, management consulting firms, fortune 500 companies, etc. Salary usually starts somewhere in the 90k range for those people.

If you got your MBA from some unranked program, chances are that you won't get paid much. ~40k sounds right. In fact I know a few MBAs (from unranked schools) in SoCal working at jobs that pay them 25k-30k a year.

 

[jdub1107]

How can BA and MBA be the same? Doesn't make any sense unless you are entry level for that job. You have work experience already. I assume its in the same field. Man that sucks.

 

[FlyLice]

Originally posted by: OS
What school is this?

Makes me rethink my plan to go to USC for MBA.

USC MBA will get you $65-80k if you network well.

 

[ZowieHowie]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
You're approaching the problem from the wrong angle.

The MBA part is totally irrelevant.

What are the job responsibilities? That, more than anything, is the determinant of salary. An MBA flipping burgers still earns only $6 an hour.

Valid question.

This company wants me to manage one of their call centers. I would be doing scheduling, performance appraisals, feasibility analysis, etc. From what I understand, those working in the call centers make around 28K. Those working there either a high school diploma or an AA.

Consindering what they are offering me, I find it to be quite low for a Manager. I have management experience, as I worked in a management capacity for a Fortune 500 company for 2+ years (half-time over a 4 year period).

 

[SuperTool]

Damn, that's rough. I thought MBA's made 100 big ones Even consultants for firms like Toilette and Douche with no MBA's make mid to high 5 digits.

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: ZowieHowie

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
You're approaching the problem from the wrong angle.

The MBA part is totally irrelevant.

What are the job responsibilities? That, more than anything, is the determinant of salary. An MBA flipping burgers still earns only $6 an hour.

Valid question.

This company wants me to manage one of their call centers. I would be doing scheduling, performance appraisals, feasibility analysis, etc. From what I understand, those working in the call centers make around 28K. Those working there either a high school diploma or an AA.

Consindering what they are offering me, I find it to be quite low for a Manager. I have management experience, as I worked in a management capacity for a Fortune 500 company for 2+ years (half-time over a 4 year period).

I think 30s is downright insulting. I made more than twice that amount straight out of school with a BS

 

[Svnla]

It depends GREATLY of where you live and the benefits. Down here, it is about the right range.

 

[ingenuiti]

An MBA does not command a high salary unless you graduated from a top 20 program.

 

[jagec]

well, they hand out MBAs like candy at most universities...however, since you actually have some experience, I would think it might be higher.

 

[FlyLice]

Managing a call center...any idiot without an MBA can do that...

 

[FlyLice]

Originally posted by: jagec
well, they hand out MBAs like candy at most universities...however, since you actually have some experience, I would think it might be higher.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA is that even a real university or something like DeVry?

 

[ZowieHowie]

Originally posted by: ingenuiti
An MBA does not command a high salary unless you graduated from a top 20 program.

That is correct. A high salary is not a guarantee, but there are companies that will hire those with just a college degree, and start at more than 30K. I looked online, and found some interesting national averages....

AVERAGE STARTING SALARY FOR 4 YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATES, 2004
Electrical Engineering $51,372
Accounting $41,110
Economics/Finance $40,906
Business Administration/Management $38,188
Marketing $35,321
Political Science $32,999
English $31,169
Biology $29,750
Psychology $27,791
Journalism $27,646

 

[ZowieHowie]

Originally posted by: FlyLice

Originally posted by: jagec
well, they hand out MBAs like candy at most universities...however, since you actually have some experience, I would think it might be higher.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA is that even a real university or something like DeVry?

No. Its not like DeVry. Not at all. Student population of 44,000+. Fastest growing university in the nation, and is the 2nd hardest university to get into in Florida (behind UF). Their graduate program is also right behind that of UF. Higher standards than FSU, USF, UNF, FAU, etc.