UIUC Gies vs IU Kelley for Consulting (MBB or Big4)
I am a high school senior deciding between UIUC and IU.
I am interested in either MBB or Big 4, or anything consulting related. Which school has a better pipeline?
For consulting, particularly targeting MBB or Big 4, IU Kelley has a stronger pipeline compared to UIUC Gies. Here's why:
IU Kelley Consulting Placement: Kelley has a well-established reputation for placing students into consulting roles. According to previous WSO threads, Kelley boasts a significant percentage of students going into consulting, with 67% of students in the Economic Consulting major pursuing consulting roles. Additionally, Kelley has strong connections with firms like Deloitte, PwC, and other Big 4 companies, as well as boutique consulting firms.
Recruiting Events and Target Status: Kelley is considered a target school for several consulting firms, hosting firm presentations and networking events that provide direct access to recruiters. This gives students a competitive edge in securing internships and full-time offers.
UIUC Gies: While UIUC Gies is a solid business school, it does not have the same level of consulting placement strength as Kelley. The focus at Gies tends to lean more toward accounting and finance roles rather than consulting.
Employment Reports: Employment data from Kelley consistently shows higher average salaries and placement rates in consulting compared to Gies. For example, Kelley's Economic Consulting graduates reported an average salary of $73,000 in 2019, which is competitive for entry-level consulting roles.
If your primary goal is to break into MBB or Big 4 consulting, IU Kelley is the better choice due to its stronger consulting pipeline, targeted recruiting, and established alumni network in the consulting industry.
Sources: Why IU Kelley Is A Target School, IU Kelley Econ > UVA Econ, Back to make fun of UCLA, the worst top college there is, Q&A: Strategy consulting Associate Partner offering career advice, Target Schools For Consulting Megathread
I'd say Kelley has a marginal advantage, but at that point its almost splitting hairs. Both schools place extremely well at Big 4, and both feed heavily into Chicago. I'd consider other factors more in your decision such as cost, social fit, etc.
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