Anderson and McCombs are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Anderson reports a higher median base salary. McCombs offers lower annual tuition, and McCombs delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Anderson is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Anderson | McCombs |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #182026 | #182026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #162024 | #152024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #242025 | #352025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #112025 | #302025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $65,049 | $56,034 |
| Median Base Salary | $172,000 | $168,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 561% | 650% |
| Class Size | 360 | 261 |
| Acceptance Rate | 25.0% | 28.5% |
| Median GMAT | 714 | 706 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
UCLA Anderson is a top choice for those looking to work in entertainment, real estate, and tech on the West Coast. Known for its entrepreneurial culture and strong alumni ties in Los Angeles, Anderson offers a high ROI given its public school tuition.
UT Austin McCombs offers one of the best value propositions in MBA education. Located in the booming Austin tech scene, McCombs has strong placements in consulting, tech, and energy. The school is known for its Plus program and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. McCombs delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 650%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Anderson is more selective with a 25.0% acceptance rate, compared to 28.5% for McCombs.
Anderson reports a median base salary of $172,000, while McCombs reports $168,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Anderson annual tuition is $65,049 and McCombs is $56,034. McCombs offers a 9,015 lower annual cost.
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