Carlson and Wharton are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Wharton holds a stronger US News ranking. Wharton reports a higher median base salary. Carlson offers lower annual tuition, and Wharton delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Wharton is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Carlson | Wharton |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #342026 | #22026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #442024 | #22024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #32025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #22025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $62,000 | $84,830 |
| Median Base Salary | $125,000 | $248,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 404% | 631% |
| Class Size | 100 | 918 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.0% | 19.2% |
| Median GMAT | 661 | 733 |
| 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.
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Known for its rigorous finance curriculum and extensive alumni network, Wharton consistently ranks at the top of MBA rankings. The school offers unparalleled access to Wall Street and a collaborative learning environment.
Wharton is a top M7 program; Carlson is a highly ranked T15 school. Wharton ranks higher in US News, but Wharton delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 631%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Wharton is more selective with a 19.2% acceptance rate, compared to 35.0% for Carlson.
Carlson reports a median base salary of $125,000, while Wharton reports $248,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Carlson annual tuition is $62,000 and Wharton is $84,830. Carlson offers a 22,830 lower annual cost.
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