Carlson and Ross are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Ross holds a stronger US News ranking. Ross reports a higher median base salary. Carlson offers lower annual tuition, and Ross delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Ross is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Carlson | Ross |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #342026 | #132026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #442024 | #132024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #222025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #162025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $62,000 | $72,638 |
| Median Base Salary | $125,000 | $175,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 404% | 502% |
| Class Size | 100 | 425 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.0% | 22.1% |
| Median GMAT | 661 | 720 |
| 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.
Michigan Ross is known for its action-based learning approach, where students tackle real business challenges through MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects). Ross has strong placement in consulting, tech, and manufacturing, with a collaborative Midwest culture.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Ross ranks higher in US News, but Ross delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 502%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Ross is more selective with a 22.1% acceptance rate, compared to 35.0% for Carlson.
Carlson reports a median base salary of $125,000, while Ross reports $175,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Carlson annual tuition is $62,000 and Ross is $72,638. Carlson offers a 10,638 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.