McKinsey vs Roland Berger: Global vs European Strategy
Updated January 2026·10 min read
Head-to-Head: McKinsey vs Roland Berger
9/10
Interview Difficulty
7/10
5/10
Work-Life Balance
6/10
10/10
Compensation
7/10
10/10
Prestige
6/10
10/10
Exit Opportunities
7/10
McKinseyRoland Berger
Quick Summary
Both McKinsey & Company and Roland Berger are excellent consulting firms with strong reputations. McKinsey is known for global career aspirations, while Roland Berger excels at european career focus. Your choice should depend on your career goals, preferred working style, and cultural fit.
Detailed Comparison: McKinsey vs Roland Berger
| Category | McKinsey | Roland Berger |
|---|---|---|
| Global Reach | Dominant worldwide | Strong in Europe, DACH leader |
| Industry Focus | Generalist coverage | Industrial, automotive, restructuring |
| Compensation | Industry-leading globally | 20-25% below McKinsey |
| Culture | "One firm" global approach | European, entrepreneurial |
| Case Style | Interviewer-led, PEI | Candidate-led, often includes written |
| Exit Options | All industries globally | Strong in European industry |
Key Takeaways
- Global Reach: McKinsey for global mobility
- Industry Focus: RB for German industry
- Compensation: McKinsey pays significantly more
- Culture: Different cultural feels
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose McKinsey if you...
- ✓Global career aspirations
- ✓Maximum brand value
- ✓Cross-industry interests
Choose Roland Berger if you...
- ✓European career focus
- ✓Industrial sector interests
- ✓German-speaking market preference
Interview Process Comparison
McKinsey Interview Process
- • Online assessment/screening
- • 2-3 rounds of case interviews
- • Behavioral/fit interviews
- • Final round with partners
Roland Berger Interview Process
- • Online assessment/screening
- • 2-3 rounds of case interviews
- • Behavioral/fit interviews
- • Final round with partners
Prepare for Both McKinsey and Roland Berger
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Start PracticingFrequently Asked Questions
Is Roland Berger respected?
Yes, especially in Europe. Roland Berger is Europe's largest strategy consultancy with strong reputation in DACH, industrial sectors, and restructuring. Less known in US/Asia than MBB.
McKinsey or Roland Berger for automotive?
Roland Berger has exceptional automotive expertise, especially in Germany. McKinsey also has strong automotive practice. For German OEMs specifically, RB reputation is excellent.
How much less does Roland Berger pay?
Approximately 20-25% less than McKinsey. The gap is significant and consistent across levels. European offices may have better relative positioning.
Roland Berger interview process?
Candidate-led cases, often with written case component (especially in European offices). Less standardized than McKinsey. Multiple rounds with partner involvement.