W.P. Carey School of Business and HBS are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. HBS holds a stronger US News ranking. HBS reports a higher median base salary. W.P. Carey School of Business offers lower annual tuition, and HBS delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. HBS is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | W.P. Carey School of Business | HBS |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | — | #42026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | — | #42024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #42025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #52025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $66,000 | $76,410 |
| Median Base Salary | $150,000 | $260,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 468% | 751% |
| Class Size | — | 930 |
| Acceptance Rate | 30.0% | 11.0% |
| Median GMAT | 665 | 740 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
Full W.P. Carey School of Business profile → Calculate W.P. Carey School of Business ROI →
Harvard Business School pioneered the case method of teaching and remains the gold standard for general management education. HBS is the most selective MBA program in the world, producing more Fortune 500 CEOs than any other school. Its case study approach prepares leaders to tackle ambiguous business challenges.
HBS is a top M7 program; W.P. Carey School of Business is a highly ranked T15 school. HBS ranks higher in US News, but HBS delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 751%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
HBS is more selective with a 11.0% acceptance rate, compared to 30.0% for W.P. Carey School of Business.
W.P. Carey School of Business reports a median base salary of $150,000, while HBS reports $260,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
W.P. Carey School of Business annual tuition is $66,000 and HBS is $76,410. W.P. Carey School of Business offers a 10,410 lower annual cost.
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