Whitman School Sustains Historic Employment Momentum with 98.1% Placement for Class of 2025

The Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University continues to deliver exceptional career outcomes for its students, reporting a 98.1% employment rate within 180 days of graduation for the Class of 2025 among students actively seeking employment.

The result marks the second consecutive year Whitman has achieved employment outcomes above 98%, reinforcing strong, sustained momentum in student placement and career readiness - even amid an increasingly competitive and uncertain job market. Graduates in the Class of 2025 also reported a mean starting salary of $71,024, reflecting strong placement across industries including finance, consulting, marketing, technology and retail.

“When you come to Whitman, you are building a career,” said Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School of Management. “Our students get excellent jobs. They go on to lead amazing careers as leaders in their fields. These outcomes reflect the strength of our academic programs, our career preparation, and the deep engagement of employers and alumni who invest in our students.”

Sustained Growth in Career Outcomes

Whitman’s employment outcomes have steadily strengthened over the past several years, reflecting focused investment in experiential learning, employer partnerships and early career preparation.

Together, the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 represent the strongest employment outcomes in school history, demonstrating consistent progress rather than a single-year spike. It helps further establish Whitman among the top business schools nationally.

Career Preparation by Design

Whitman’s results are driven by a comprehensive approach to career readiness that begins early and continues throughout a student’s academic journey. Through the Whitman Career Center, students receive individualized advising, participate in structured professional development programs and engage directly with employers and alumni across industries.

“These outcomes reflect years of intentional work to meet students early, prepare them thoroughly and connect them meaningfully with employers and alumni,” said Kara Primrose, executive director of career services and employer relations. “Our focus is on helping students explore what’s possible, build confidence and develop the skills and relationships that lead to strong career outcomes. Sustaining results like this shows that when students engage with the process, Whitman delivers.”

Key initiatives include cohort-based career readiness programs, experiential learning opportunities, industry immersion trips, alumni mentorship, on-campus recruiting and employer-led workshops that connect classroom learning to real-world application.

These efforts are aligned with Transformation 2030, Whitman’s five-year strategic commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning and career outcomes that prepare students for long-term success.

Confidence for Students and Families

The Class of 2025 results reinforce Whitman’s value proposition to prospective students and families: students who come to Whitman and actively pursue employment graduate with strong outcomes and meaningful opportunities.

“As a school, we are focused not just on first jobs, but on building durable career pathways,” McKelvie said. “This sustained momentum shows that our strategy is working and that Whitman students are well prepared to compete, contribute and lead. We are very proud of this accomplishment for Whitman – and especially for our students who are well on their way to success.”