Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

 

The easiest consulting firms to get into are typically Big 4 consulting practices like Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG, along with technology consulting firms like Accenture and Capgemini. These firms have acceptance rates between 5% and 20%, compared to under 1% at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.

 

That said, "easy" is relative. Even the most accessible consulting firms still look for strong candidates with solid academics, relevant experience, and polished interview skills. In my experience interviewing hundreds of candidates at Bain, the biggest factor in whether a firm feels easy or hard to break into is how well your background aligns with what that specific firm is looking for.

 

In this article, I will rank consulting firms from hardest to easiest to get into and explain exactly what each tier looks for, so you can target the firms where you have the best shot.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Are the Easiest Consulting Firms to Get Into?

 

The easiest consulting firms to get into are IT and implementation consulting firms like Capgemini, Cognizant, and IBM Consulting, followed by Big 4 consulting practices at Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG. Tier 2 strategy firms like Oliver Wyman, Kearney, and LEK are harder than the Big 4 but still significantly more accessible than MBB.

 

According to data from recruiting reports and Glassdoor, MBB firms accept fewer than 1% of all applicants. Tier 2 strategy firms accept roughly 3% to 10%. Big 4 consulting practices accept between 5% and 15%, depending on the specific practice and office. IT and implementation consulting firms can accept 15% to 25% or more of applicants.

 

Here is a breakdown of consulting firm tiers ranked from hardest to easiest to get into:

 

Tier	Example Firms	Acceptance Rate	Interview Rounds	Case Interview?	Target Schools?
MBB	McKinsey, BCG, Bain	Less than 1%	3 to 5	Yes	Heavily
Tier 2 Strategy	Oliver Wyman, LEK, Kearney, Strategy&	3% to 10%	2 to 4	Yes	Yes
Big 4 Strategy Arms	Deloitte S&O, EY-Parthenon, Accenture Strategy	5% to 10%	2 to 4	Yes	Yes
Big 4 Consulting	Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG	5% to 15%	2 to 3	Sometimes	Moderate
IT/Implementation	Accenture, Capgemini, IBM Consulting	15% to 25%+	2 to 3	Rarely	Rarely

 

The key takeaway from this table is that difficulty correlates directly with how much pure strategy work the firm does. The more a firm focuses on high-level strategic advisory, the more selective it will be. Firms focused on technology implementation and operations hire in much larger volumes and are significantly easier to break into.

 

How Do Consulting Firm Tiers Affect Your Chances?

 

Consulting firm tiers affect your chances dramatically. The difference between applying to McKinsey versus applying to KPMG advisory is like the difference between applying to Harvard versus a strong state university. Both are good options, but the acceptance rates and candidate expectations are worlds apart.

 

What Are Tier 1 (MBB) Acceptance Rates?

 

McKinsey, BCG, and Bain accept fewer than 1% of all applicants. According to Wikipedia and multiple recruiting reports, McKinsey alone receives over one million applications per year. BCG and Bain receive somewhat fewer, but their acceptance rates are similarly low.

 

To put that in perspective, getting into MBB is harder than getting into Harvard Business School. These firms recruit heavily from the top 20 to 25 undergraduate institutions and the top 10 MBA programs. If you do not attend a target school, you will need an exceptional resume and aggressive networking strategy to even get an interview.

 

The MBB interview process typically includes 3 to 5 rounds of case interviews, fit interviews, and sometimes online assessments. Having coached thousands of candidates, I can say that the case interview is the single biggest barrier for most applicants.

 

What Are Tier 2 Acceptance Rates?

 

Tier 2 strategy consulting firms like Oliver Wyman, Kearney, LEK, Strategy& (PwC), and EY-Parthenon have acceptance rates between 3% and 10%, based on Glassdoor data and recruiting reports. These firms still use case interviews and recruit from target schools, but they cast a wider net than MBB.

 

For example, Oliver Wyman has over 5,000 employees and 60+ offices globally. EY-Parthenon has expanded from 350 consultants to over 25,000 since being acquired by EY in 2014. This rapid growth means these firms hire in higher volumes, which creates more openings for candidates.

 

For a full breakdown of these firms, check out our guide to tier 2 consulting firms.

 

What Are Big 4 Consulting Acceptance Rates?

 

The Big 4 consulting practices at Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG have acceptance rates between 5% and 15%. The exact rate depends on which practice you are applying to. The strategy arms (like Deloitte Strategy or EY-Parthenon) are on the more selective end, while broader technology, risk, and human capital consulting practices are more accessible.

 

Deloitte alone employs over 460,000 people globally and reported $67.2 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024. That sheer scale means the firm hires thousands of new consultants every year, creating far more opportunities than a firm like Bain, which has roughly 19,000 employees total.

 

What About Boutique and IT Consulting Firms?

 

IT and implementation consulting firms like Accenture (outside its strategy group), Capgemini, IBM Consulting, and Cognizant are the easiest to get into. With Accenture employing over 740,000 people globally and Capgemini employing over 350,000, these firms hire at massive scale.

 

Most of these firms do not require case interviews for their non-strategy roles. The interview process typically focuses on behavioral questions, technical knowledge, and fit. They also recruit from a much wider range of universities and do not rely heavily on target school lists.

 

Boutique consulting firms are a mixed bag. Some highly specialized boutiques like ghSMART or Mars & Co are extremely selective. Others, especially regional boutiques, hire more broadly. For more on this, see our guide to boutique consulting firms.

 

Which Big 4 Firm Is Easiest to Get Into?

 

Among the Big 4, KPMG and EY are generally considered the easiest to get into for consulting roles, while Deloitte's consulting practice tends to be the most selective. This is largely a function of size, hiring volume, and reputation within strategy consulting.

 

Deloitte's consulting arm is the largest and most prestigious among the Big 4. Their Strategy & Operations group does work similar to MBB, and they acquired Monitor Group in 2013 to strengthen their strategy capabilities. As a result, Deloitte Strategy roles are nearly as competitive as Tier 2 firms.

 

KPMG, on the other hand, has a smaller consulting practice relative to its audit and tax businesses. According to the 2026 Vault Consulting 50 rankings, KPMG is viewed as the least prestigious of the Big 4 consulting practices, which means it attracts fewer top-tier applicants and has a comparatively easier hiring bar.

 

Here is how the Big 4 compare for consulting roles:

 

Firm	Consulting Revenue	Global Employees	Strategy Practice	Relative Difficulty
Deloitte	$67.2B (FY2024 total)	460,000+	Deloitte Strategy (former Monitor)	Most selective Big 4
PwC	$55.4B (FY2024 total)	370,000+	Strategy& (former Booz)	Selective for Strategy&
EY	$51.2B (FY2024 total)	400,000+	EY-Parthenon	Moderate
KPMG	$38.4B (FY2024 total)	275,000+	KPMG Strategy	Least selective Big 4

 

Keep in mind that difficulty varies widely within each firm. Applying to Deloitte's technology consulting practice is very different from applying to Deloitte Strategy. The strategy arms of any Big 4 firm are significantly harder to break into than their broader consulting or advisory practices.

 

Which Tier 2 Firms Are Easier Than MBB?

 

All Tier 2 strategy firms are easier to get into than MBB, but some are more accessible than others. Based on acceptance rate estimates and interview difficulty, here is how tier 2 consulting firms generally stack up:

 

Oliver Wyman is one of the more accessible Tier 2 firms because of its size. With over 5,000 employees and strong demand for financial services consultants, Oliver Wyman hires in relatively high volumes. Their case interview process is rigorous but generally considered slightly easier than MBB.

 

Kearney (formerly A.T. Kearney) is strong in operations, supply chain, and procurement consulting. Their cases tend to be more operationally focused, which can feel more approachable for candidates with industry experience.

 

LEK is particularly focused on healthcare and private equity work. With roughly 1,400 employees, they are smaller than Oliver Wyman but still hire at a reasonable clip. Their cases are known for being data heavy.

 

EY-Parthenon, Strategy&, and Accenture Strategy sit in an interesting middle ground. They carry the backing and brand recognition of their parent companies while doing strategy work comparable to MBB. Their acceptance rates are typically between 5% and 10%.

 

If you are preparing for case interviews at any of these firms, my case interview course covers the exact strategies that helped 30,000+ candidates land consulting offers. The frameworks work at every tier, from MBB to Big 4.

 

What Makes a Consulting Firm Easier or Harder to Get Into?

 

Several factors determine how easy or hard it is to get into a specific consulting firm. Understanding these factors helps you target the right firms and dramatically improve your odds.

 

Does the Firm Recruit from Your School?

 

This is the single biggest factor. MBB firms recruit most heavily from the top 20 to 25 undergraduate institutions and top 10 MBA programs in the United States. If you attend one of these schools, getting an interview at MBB is realistic. If you do not, the path is much harder.

 

Big 4 firms recruit from a much wider range of schools. According to Deloitte's recruiting data, they recruit from over 300 universities in the United States alone. KPMG and EY have similarly broad recruiting footprints. This is one of the primary reasons Big 4 firms are easier to break into.

 

Does the Firm Use Case Interviews?

 

Case interviews are the biggest barrier to entry at strategy consulting firms. MBB and Tier 2 firms all use case interviews, and performing well requires significant preparation. Most candidates spend 80 to 100+ hours preparing for cases.

 

Many Big 4 consulting roles outside of the strategy arms do not require case interviews. Instead, they use behavioral interviews, technical assessments, or group exercises. IT consulting firms like Accenture (non-strategy) and Capgemini rarely use traditional case interviews.

 

If a firm does not use case interviews, the preparation barrier drops dramatically, making it much easier to get in.

 

How Many People Does the Firm Hire Each Year?

 

Hiring volume is a critical factor. McKinsey hires roughly 5,000 to 8,000 people per year from over one million applicants. Deloitte hires tens of thousands across its global practices. Accenture hires over 100,000 people annually.

 

More hiring means more available slots, which means better odds for every individual applicant. This is why large firms with multiple practice areas tend to be easier to break into than small, specialized firms.

 

Does the Office Location Matter?

 

Yes, office location matters significantly. Popular offices in cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston, London, and Singapore are the most competitive because they attract the highest volume of applicants. In my experience, applying to a less popular office can improve your chances meaningfully.

 

For example, MBB offices in smaller U.S. cities or in regions like the Middle East and parts of Asia tend to have fewer applicants relative to available positions. Some candidates increase their odds by applying to offices where they have a genuine connection, such as where they grew up or went to school.

 

How Can You Maximize Your Chances at Any Consulting Firm?

 

Regardless of which tier you are targeting, there are proven strategies that increase your chances of landing an offer. Having coached hundreds of candidates at Bain, I have seen the same patterns separate successful candidates from unsuccessful ones.

 

What If You Do Not Attend a Target School?

 

Not attending a target school makes breaking into MBB harder, but it does not make it impossible. In my experience coaching candidates, non-target school applicants who network effectively have roughly the same interview success rate as target school candidates. The challenge is getting that first interview.

 

The best strategy is to network aggressively. Reach out to consultants at your target firms through LinkedIn, alumni networks, and industry events. A warm referral from a current employee can move your resume to the top of the pile. For a full playbook, check out our guide on consulting networking strategies.

 

If you are struggling to get interviews at MBB, consider applying to Big 4 and Tier 2 firms in parallel. These firms recruit from a broader set of schools and have more available positions.

 

How Important Is Networking?

 

Networking is extremely important, especially for experienced hires and non-target school candidates. Applying through a firm's online portal is the least effective method because top firms receive hundreds of thousands of applications. A referral from a current employee can be the difference between your resume being read or being filtered out.

 

According to recruiting data, candidates with employee referrals are up to 5x more likely to receive an interview than those who apply cold online. This is true across all tiers of consulting firms.

 

Should You Apply to Multiple Tiers?

 

Absolutely. Think of your consulting applications like a college application strategy. You should have "reach" firms (MBB), "target" firms (Tier 2 strategy), and "safety" firms (Big 4 and beyond). This approach maximizes your chances of landing at least one consulting offer.

 

Many successful consultants started at a Big 4 firm and later moved to MBB. Starting at an "easier" firm does not close any doors. It opens them.

 

If you want to strengthen your resume before applying, our resume review and editing service can help you craft a consulting resume that lands 3x more interviews. We offer unlimited revisions with a 24-hour turnaround.

 

Is It Worth Joining an Easier Consulting Firm?

 

Yes, joining an "easier" consulting firm is absolutely worth it. The gap between MBB and Big 4 has been narrowing in recent years, and all of these firms provide strong career development, competitive compensation, and excellent exit opportunities.

 

Here is how starting compensation compares across tiers:

 

Firm Tier	Undergrad Base	MBA Base	Total Comp (MBA)
MBB	$100K to $115K	$190K to $200K	$220K to $250K+
Tier 2 Strategy	$90K to $105K	$170K to $190K	$200K to $230K
Big 4 Consulting	$80K to $95K	$155K to $175K	$180K to $210K
IT/Implementation	$70K to $85K	$130K to $160K	$150K to $185K

 

Based on Glassdoor data from 2026, the compensation gap between MBB and Big 4 for MBA hires is roughly $30,000 to $40,000 in total compensation. That is meaningful, but not enormous when you consider the difference in acceptance rates.

 

More importantly, Big 4 consulting experience is a proven stepping stone to MBB. Firms like BCG and McKinsey regularly hire experienced consultants from Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG into mid-level roles. Starting at a Big 4 firm, performing well for two to three years, and then applying to MBB as an experienced hire is a well-worn path.

 

For a complete overview of the consulting career path including salary progression and exit opportunities at every level, check out our detailed guide.

 

Big 4 consultants also enjoy strong exit opportunities into Fortune 500 companies, private equity, tech companies, and startups. The brand recognition of Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG carries real weight across industries. For more on how different firms rank in prestige, see our ranking of the most prestigious consulting firms.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can You Get Into MBB from a Non-Target School?

 

Yes, but it requires more effort. You will need to network aggressively to secure interviews, and your resume will need to stand out with strong GPA, impressive work experience, or unique achievements. Once you get an interview, your case performance matters far more than your school name. For specific strategies, see our guide on getting into consulting with a low GPA.

 

Is Deloitte Easier to Get Into Than McKinsey?

 

Yes, significantly. Deloitte's consulting practices have acceptance rates between 5% and 15%, depending on the practice area. McKinsey accepts fewer than 1% of applicants. However, Deloitte's Strategy group is considerably more selective than its broader consulting practice, so the specific role matters greatly.

 

What GPA Do You Need for Big 4 Consulting?

 

Most Big 4 consulting practices look for a GPA of 3.3 or higher. For their strategy arms like Deloitte Strategy or EY-Parthenon, a 3.5+ GPA is typically expected. MBB firms generally look for a 3.5+ GPA from a target school, though exceptions exist for candidates with exceptional experience.

 

Can You Move from Big 4 to MBB?

 

Yes. MBB firms regularly hire experienced consultants from the Big 4. The key is to build a strong track record of performance, develop deep expertise in a specific industry or function, and prepare thoroughly for the case interview process. Two to three years of strong Big 4 experience puts you in a competitive position to apply to MBB as an experienced hire.

 

What Is the Easiest Type of Consulting to Break Into?

 

IT consulting and implementation consulting are the easiest types to break into. These roles focus on technology projects, system implementations, and digital transformation rather than high-level strategy. Firms like Accenture, Capgemini, IBM Consulting, and Cognizant hire at very large scale and do not require case interviews for most positions. For a full breakdown of all consulting types, see our guide on the different types of consulting.

 

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