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When prospective MBA students think about return on investment, the conversation often begins—and ends—with salary statistics. But at Dartmouth Tuck, ROI is viewed through a broader, longer-term lens: one that includes leadership growth, analytical rigor, community strength, and the sustained career momentum that follows.
Lawrence Mur’ray, Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Tuck, discusses how leadership development, personalized career guidance, and a deeply engaged alumni network contribute to long-term career growth and ROI—well beyond starting salary.
In the interview below, Lawrence Mur’ray, Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Tuck, shares how the school approaches value creation well beyond starting compensation. He discusses how personalized career advising, a deeply participatory academic model, and what is often described as one of the most responsive alumni networks in business education combine to shape durable outcomes. He also challenges applicants to think differently about ROI—encouraging them to evaluate how an MBA strengthens judgment, leadership presence, and decision-making under pressure, qualities that compound over the course of a career.
For candidates weighing the investment of an MBA, this perspective offers a compelling framework: the true return is not just a first job after graduation, but the capabilities and community that support a lifetime of growth.
What factors should prospective MBA students consider when assessing the potential ROI of the degree?
Lawrence Mur’ray: ROI matters, and candidates are right to scrutinize it. An MBA is a significant investment, and outcomes should justify that commitment. Salary and employment data are an important starting point—but they are only a starting point.
A more complete assessment of ROI looks at whether an MBA program develops the capabilities that sustain success over time. Does it sharpen your analytical thinking? Does it help you grow as a leader who can collaborate effectively, exercise sound judgment, and take responsibility for outcomes? Those qualities increasingly determine how careers evolve.
Prospective students should also pay attention to the learning environment itself. Programs that attract curious, engaged, and principled peers—and that hold students to high standards—tend to create more durable value. The people you learn with matter just as much as what you learn.
Can you provide insights into the long-term financial benefits of earning an MBA at Tuck?
LM: Tuck graduates consistently secure strong career outcomes across industries—including consulting, finance, technology, and general management—reflecting both the analytical rigor of the program and the confidence employers place in our alumni.
Over the long term, the financial benefits are closely tied to how graduates think and lead. Tuck emphasizes analytical discipline alongside interpersonal effectiveness—preparing graduates to make good decisions, lead teams, and earn trust. Those capabilities often translate into greater responsibility, broader scope, and sustained advancement over time.
Equally important is continuity. Tuck alumni remain closely connected to the school and to one another throughout their careers. Often described as the world’s best alumni network, the community is defined by unusually responsive, personal engagement—creating ongoing access to insight, opportunity, and support well beyond graduation.
Are there alternative metrics beyond salary increase that contribute to the overall ROI of the Tuck MBA?
LM: Absolutely. Many of the most important returns relate to how graduates show up as professionals and leaders.
One is analytical confidence—the ability to approach complex problems, evaluate trade-offs, and make decisions with clarity. Another is leadership growth: learning how to influence, collaborate, and lead with integrity, particularly in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
Network quality also matters. Tuck’s alumni community is deeply engaged and highly accessible. Alumni respond, mentor, and advocate for one another, reflecting a shared expectation of contribution. That kind of network creates value that compounds over time.
Finally, there is personal growth. Students are challenged to reflect on their values, their impact, and the kind of leaders they want to become. That self-awareness shapes career decisions long after compensation becomes the primary driver.
What are the top three ways Tuck helps MBA students achieve their desired career?
LM: First, personalized career guidance. Tuck has one of the highest career adviser-to-student ratios among peer schools, allowing for individualized support that adapts as students’ goals evolve.
Second, a rigorous, participatory academic experience. Students are expected to engage deeply, think critically, and learn collaboratively—developing both analytical strength and leadership presence.
Third, an alumni network that takes engagement seriously. Tuck alumni view supporting students and one another as part of their responsibility to the community, and that ethos translates into responsive, tangible career support.
How can participation in business-related student clubs impact a candidate’s job prospects post-MBA?
LM: Student clubs give students a chance to apply what they’re learning while working closely with peers who share high expectations. Career-focused groups—such as the Technology, Consulting, Investment, and Marketing & Brand Management Clubs—play an important role in helping students build technical skills, deepen industry knowledge, and prepare effectively for recruiting.
Just as importantly, clubs provide leadership experience in environments that require collaboration and influence rather than hierarchy. Leading peers—often with diverse perspectives—mirrors the realities of modern management.
At Tuck, clubs also deepen community ties, strengthening relationships that frequently support both short-term job searches and long-term career growth.
What advice would you offer to prospective Tuck MBA applicants or incoming students as they think about maximizing the value of their MBA experience?
LM: Approach the experience with curiosity and intention. Come in prepared to work hard, engage deeply, and learn from others. The students who get the most value are those who invest fully—academically, professionally, and personally.
Seek out people who challenge your thinking. Learn from classmates with different backgrounds and perspectives, and take advantage of the close access to faculty and alumni. Those interactions are central to the Tuck experience.
Most of all, use the MBA as a chance to grow as a leader and decision-maker. The returns are greatest when students focus not only on outcomes, but on the capabilities they’re building along the way.
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about the ROI of a Tuck MBA?
LM: Tuck is intentionally designed around the development of capable, principled leaders. The program brings together students who are intellectually curious, accomplished, and deeply engaged, and it challenges them to lead with both rigor and responsibility.
Dean Matthew Slaughter often says that Tuck delivers the best MBA experience in the world. That conviction reflects how carefully the experience is constructed: small classes, close faculty engagement, and a culture that values excellence, collaboration, and positive impact.
When ROI is viewed through that lens, the return is not only financial. It’s the ability to think clearly, lead responsibly, and make meaningful contributions to organizations and society over the course of a career.
