Carlson and Kellogg are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Kellogg holds a stronger US News ranking. Kellogg reports a higher median base salary. Carlson offers lower annual tuition, and Kellogg delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Kellogg is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Carlson | Kellogg |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #342026 | #42026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #442024 | #62024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #102025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #82025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $62,000 | $78,276 |
| Median Base Salary | $125,000 | $185,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 404% | 491% |
| Class Size | 100 | 500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.0% | 20.2% |
| Median GMAT | 661 | 727 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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.
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern is the birthplace of modern marketing education. Known for its collaborative culture, team-based learning, and strong emphasis on leadership development, Kellogg graduates are highly sought after in consulting and consumer goods industries.
Kellogg is a top M7 program; Carlson is a highly ranked T15 school. Kellogg ranks higher in US News, but Kellogg delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 491%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Kellogg is more selective with a 20.2% acceptance rate, compared to 35.0% for Carlson.
Carlson reports a median base salary of $125,000, while Kellogg reports $185,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Carlson annual tuition is $62,000 and Kellogg is $78,276. Carlson offers a 16,276 lower annual cost.
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