Carlson and GSB are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. GSB holds a stronger US News ranking. GSB reports a higher median base salary. Carlson offers lower annual tuition, and GSB delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Carlson is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Carlson | GSB |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #342026 | #12026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #442024 | #12024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #22025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #42025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $62,000 | $82,455 |
| Median Base Salary | $125,000 | $197,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 404% | 497% |
| Class Size | 100 | 436 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.0% | 6.1% |
| Median GMAT | 661 | 738 |
| 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.
Stanford Graduate School of Business is the most selective MBA program globally, with an acceptance rate below 7%. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, GSB is the top choice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Its small class size fosters deep relationships and personalized education.
GSB is a top M7 program; Carlson is a highly ranked T15 school. GSB ranks higher in US News, but GSB delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 497%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Carlson is more selective with a 35.0% acceptance rate, compared to 6.1% for GSB.
Carlson reports a median base salary of $125,000, while GSB reports $197,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Carlson annual tuition is $62,000 and GSB is $82,455. Carlson offers a 20,455 lower annual cost.
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