Carlson and Columbia are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Columbia holds a stronger US News ranking. Columbia reports a higher median base salary. Carlson offers lower annual tuition, and Columbia delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Carlson | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #342026 | #72026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #442024 | #92024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #52025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #72025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $62,000 | $82,584 |
| Median Base Salary | $125,000 | $190,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 404% | 475% |
| Class Size | 100 | 850 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.0% | 16.5% |
| Median GMAT | 661 | 729 |
| 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.
The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota offers a strong, versatile MBA in the Twin Cities—a major Midwest business hub home to more Fortune 500 headquarters per capita than almost any other US city (Target, Best Buy, 3M, UnitedHealth Group, Cargill). Carlson's MBA is known for strong finance, supply chain, and brand management programs, with outstanding corporate access and placement within the Midwest's corporate powerhouses.
Columbia Business School leverages its New York City location to offer unmatched access to Wall Street, media, and real estate industries. Known for its value investing curriculum and strong ties to the financial industry, Columbia attracts ambitious professionals from around the world.
Columbia is a top M7 program; Carlson is a highly ranked T15 school. Columbia ranks higher in US News, but Columbia delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 475%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 35.0% for Carlson.
Carlson reports a median base salary of $125,000, while Columbia reports $190,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Carlson annual tuition is $62,000 and Columbia is $82,584. Carlson offers a 20,584 lower annual cost.
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