New salary data show graduates of top MBA programs command robust early-career pay: Harvard, Wharton and MIT Sloan report median three‑year post‑MBA salaries north of $245,000. Schools and placement offices point to strong pipelines into consulting, private equity and tech as drivers of the returns. Across the Atlantic, IMD’s one‑year MBA continues to attract candidates seeking leadership and sustainability training; alumni profiles show graduates launching startups and scaling ventures after short, intensive programs. The money-and-career outcomes are reinforcing demand for elite programs while fueling the broader debate over ROI and the purpose of graduate business education.