MBB => MBA or JD?

Just curious about the prospects and utility of each of these degrees. I know someone will say "if you want to be a lawyer, get a JD, if not, get an MBA." I 100% agree with that statement. However, I am more curious about the future of these degrees. I've read online that JD's are only useful if you go to a T14 or even T7 school. Some articles go even further stating that top law schools (Harvard, Yale, Stanford) are still risky and that pay is bimodal (either you get a good job and get paid, or you're stuck with 60k) In summary, there are simply too many lawyers.

There have been articles with similar sentiment about MBA (ie must go to a top one) but there appear to be less.

I am (obviously) learning towards an MBA, but wanted further input. Thank you!

4 Comments
 

As you stated, you should only get a JD if you want to be a lawyer. If you do, then you should try to get into a top one. If you don't, and want to stay in business, then get an MBA (preferably also from a top school). QED.

 
Best Response

I have both an MBA and a JD. Law firms are under tremendous fee pressure. Add to that too many lawyers being churned out and you have a really crappy job market for fresh law grads. It has been that way since the last recession and has not really gotten better. Even if you are in a T14 school and get a position at a Big Law firm, you will probably find the work unsatisfying and it is difficult to pivot compared to an MBA.

There are people who get hired into MBB every year from school in the top 15-30 of the MBA rankings, they just have to network more to get that job and it's definitely not a sure thing.

TL:DR version: If you are already leaning MBA, do it. A JD is a much riskier proposition and you will hate your life as a lawyer if your heart is not in it.

 

Facilis numquam ullam vel omnis est. Eaque nostrum sint aut. Fugiat necessitatibus alias quia molestiae est doloremque omnis. Consequuntur natus veniam sed ullam ut dicta reiciendis. Ad expedita voluptatibus ullam distinctio omnis quo est.

Ut nesciunt aperiam nulla molestiae. Doloremque aliquam doloremque odit reiciendis aliquid. Veniam commodi perferendis voluptatem asperiores ducimus ut. Expedita veniam repellendus iure voluptatibus fugit nostrum ea vel. Sit voluptatem libero illum et ut qui delectus quaerat.

Aliquam ipsa ea reprehenderit nihil. Enim voluptatem minus assumenda. Suscipit odio sunt illum possimus doloremque. Ut cum excepturi aut perspiciatis. Molestiae sint quo quisquam suscipit molestiae quo vel. Est molestiae sed et corporis quia repellendus omnis error. Est sit minima quam error esse voluptates.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey & Company 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (59) $274
  • Vice President (53) $245
  • Engagement Manager (114) $233
  • Manager (171) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $137
  • Senior Consultant (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (393) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1170) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (641) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”