Northwestern’s Kellogg School reported a rebound in median total compensation to $200,500 for the Class of 2025, with base salary rising to $175,000. Despite the pay recovery, early hiring metrics softened slightly with offer and acceptance rates dipping versus prior years. Poets&Quants’ 2025 MBA class profiles and employment reports paint a broader picture of employer demand and shifting sector preferences for MBA graduates. Career offices and applicants should note that compensation highs coexist with uneven short‑term placement rates, underscoring the need for diversified employer engagement strategies.