Booth and Foster are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Booth holds a stronger US News ranking. Booth reports a higher median base salary. Foster offers lower annual tuition, and Booth delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Foster is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Booth | Foster |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #32026 | #262026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #72024 | #292024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #52025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $80,040 | $67,596 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $145,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 493% | 436% |
| Class Size | 614 | 204 |
| Acceptance Rate | 20.4% | 19.0% |
| Median GMAT | 730 | 700 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Chicago Booth is renowned for its flexible curriculum and analytical approach to business education. With a focus on data-driven decision-making and economic theory, Booth produces graduates who excel in consulting, finance, and entrepreneurship. The school is known for its intellectual rigor and diverse student body.
The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington sits at the epicentre of the Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks ecosystem. With one of the highest percentages of tech-sector placements among Top 30 programs, Foster is the go-to MBA for professionals targeting Pacific Northwest tech and management consulting. Its selective 19% acceptance rate and strong value proposition—especially at in-state tuition—make it one of the most underrated programs in the country.
Booth is a top M7 program; Foster is a highly ranked T15 school. Booth ranks higher in US News, but Booth delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 493%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Foster is more selective with a 19.0% acceptance rate, compared to 20.4% for Booth.
Booth reports a median base salary of $190,000, while Foster reports $145,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Booth annual tuition is $80,040 and Foster is $67,596. Foster offers a 12,444 lower annual cost.
Now see where you rank against these programs
Plug in your GPA, GMAT, and experience to get a live 0–100 competitiveness score.