Success After Dyson: Salary and Employment Outcomes
Students at the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management are prepared to enter—and excel in—applied economics and management (AEM) careers immediately after graduation. Of the 183 members of the 2021 graduating class, 154 sought full-time employment; 97% of them received full-time job offers, and 97% accepted offers within four months of graduation.
These figures represent information for Dyson graduates who accepted full-time job offers.
$79,777
AVERAGE BASE SALARY
Applied Economics and Management Salary Details for Recent Dyson Graduates
Dyson’s undergraduate class of 2021 reported an average base salary of $79,777.
Graduates authorized to work in the US earned slightly less than the average applied economics degree salary at $79,433, while non-US-work-authorized graduates earned nearly 9% more at $86,800.
A Supplement to Your Post-Dyson Salary: Average Bonuses
Stepping into their first applied economics jobs after graduation, many Dyson students received sign-on and relocation bonuses.
The average combined bonus for Dyson’s 2021 graduates was $11,038, a 16% increase over the previous year’s class. US-work-authorized graduates earned slightly more than the average bonus, at $11,071; non-US-work-authorized graduates earned an average bonus of $10,000.
$11,038
AVERAGE COMBINED BONUS
for the class of 2021
16%
BONUS INCREASE
over the class of 2020
Alumni Perspective: Prepared to Do Business for Good
Our alumni share how their Cornell Dyson experience prepared them for success, from their first undergraduate business jobs out of college and as they grew professionally throughout their AEM career.
“Dyson provided me with a broad and practical foundation for my career, which began in investment banking and has since taken me into the (crazy) world of startups and venture capital. At Dyson, I learned not only the essentials like reading and understanding financial statements but also how to thrive in team-oriented environments. As I’ve progressed through my career, my connections to Dyson classmates have become even more important as I’ve sought to build new networks, break into new industries, and explore new ideas.” – Marc Silberman ’12, Partner at Comcast Ventures
Average Base Salary and Distribution by Industry
Dyson graduates begin their AEM careers in an array of fields, including finance, consulting, technology, and real estate. Here’s a breakdown of where the class of 2021 took their applied economics degree, salary information included:
Average Base Salary and Distribution by Job Function
Within these broader industries, Dyson graduates land a variety of applied economics and management jobs. Here’s a deeper look at the functions and roles held by the undergraduate class of 2021.
Function
Average
Base Salary
Median
Base Salary
Salary Range
Percent
Employed
Finance
$83,897
$85,000
$41,600 - $120,000
61%
Consulting
$82,321
$85,000
$64,000 - $90,000
14%
Marketing/Sales
$63,500
$64,000
$50,000 - $75,000
8%
Accounting
$62,000
$63,000
$54,000 - $68,000
4%
General Management
$92,507
$84,500
$70,000 - $131,028
4%
Operations/Logistics
$61,900
$60,000
$52,000 - $84,000
4%
Other*
N/A
N/A
N/A
5%
*Other includes: Data/analytics, economic analysis/research, and HR
N/A: less than 3 data points available (necessary to maintain student anonymity)
By the Numbers: Finance Functions Lead the Way
About two-thirds of the AEM class of 2021 went on to undergraduate business jobs in a finance-related function after Dyson; salary data for this group is broken down further by sub-sector in this table. Investment banking is the highest-earning area in finance for this subset of graduates, and it also employs the most.
Average Base Salary and Distribution by Finance Job Function
Detailed Finance
Job Function
Average
Base Salary
Median
Base Salary
Salary Range
Percentage
Employed
Investment Banking
$90,294
$85,000
$75,000 - $120,000
33%
Financial Analysis
$76,071
$80,000
$53,000 - $90,000
6%
Asset Management
$72,767
$77,500
$41,600 - $90,000
5%
Private Equity
$87,333
$87,000
$85,000 - $90,000
4%
Real Estate Development
$77,000
$76,500
$75,000 - $80,000
3%
Sales and Trading
$81,250
$85,000
$70,000 - $85,000
3%
Corporate/Managerial
$82,333
$80,000
$80,000 - $87,000
2%
Finance - Other*
$73,333
$70,000
$70,000 - $85,000
5%
*Other includes: Lending/relationship management, private wealth management, risk management, and venture capital
Average Employment and Base Salary by US Region
The majority of Dyson graduates live and work in the United States. The Northeast region claims the largest percentage of recent alumni, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the class of 2021. The Northeast also ranks highest for average base salary at $83,592.
This table highlights the full distribution of employed Dyson graduates across the nation, including the typical management/applied economics salary range.
North America
Region
Average
Base Salary
Median
Base Salary
Salary Range
Percent
Employed
Northeast
$83,592
$85,000
$60,000 - $120,000
72%
West
$75,557
$77,500
$41,600 - $131,028
9%
Mid-Atlantic
$69,313
$70,750
$52,000 - $88,000
7%
Midwest
$54,833
$53,000
$50,000 - $61,500
4%
South
$68,800
$75,000
$54,000 - $75,000
4%
Southwest
N/A
N/A
N/A
2%
Business for a Better World: Employment by Country
Cornell Dyson alumni work all over the world. The class of 2021 overwhelmingly found their initial AEM career opportunities in the United States. However, many are employed by multinational corporations, which means their skills and talents still span the globe.
Country
Percent
Employed
United States
98%
India
1%
United Kingdom
1%
The Demand of a Dyson Degree: What Recruiters Are Saying
Recruiters for the nation’s (and the world’s) top companies keep a keen eye on rising Dyson seniors and soon-to-be grads. In fact, most AEM students get job offers before they even walk across the stage at commencement.
“We find that Dyson offers a strong, collaborative experience for students, one that aligns well with SC Johnson’s company ethos. The experience and knowledge from these diverse-background students drive our undergraduate finance internship program, working on impactful projects, and lead to beginning a successful finance career within our Finance Rotation Program.” –Travis Whitcomb, Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis, SC Johnson
Top Employers: Where You Can Go with a Dyson Degree
You’ll find Dyson alumni launching AEM careers with some of the most recognizable names in financial services, technology, banking, and consulting. Here’s a look at the top employers for the class of 2021:
Admissions Overview: How to Apply to Cornell Dyson
With a Cornell Dyson applied economics degree, salary potential and career possibilities are strong. If you’re interested in AEM jobs or want to see if Dyson is right for you, we invite you to learn more about our admissions requirements and application process.
Could Your AEM Career Start at Dyson? Consider Applying Today.
The Dyson salary and employment outcomes data are clear; year after year, our newly minted class of AEM graduates find rewarding, well-paying applied economics and management jobs around the country and abroad.
Each employment report is a snapshot of the career placements, salaries, and bonuses of that year’s Dyson undergraduate graduating class. Explore reports from years past to get a more holistic view of career opportunities following graduation.
