Columbia and Darden 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. Darden offers lower annual tuition, and Darden delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Columbia | Darden |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #72026 | #112026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #92024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | #202025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #72025 | #182025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,584 | $72,200 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $178,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 475% | 516% |
| Class Size | 850 | 350 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.5% | 24.0% |
| Median GMAT | 729 | 718 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Keep Comparing
Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
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.
Darden School of Business at UVA is known for its case-method teaching, second only to Harvard in case study usage. Darden students experience an immersive, discussion-based classroom environment. The school has strong placement in consulting, finance, and general management.
Columbia is a top M7 program; Darden is a highly ranked T15 school. Columbia ranks higher in US News, but Darden delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 516%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 24.0% for Darden.
Columbia reports a median base salary of $190,000, while Darden reports $178,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Columbia annual tuition is $82,584 and Darden is $72,200. Darden offers a 10,384 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.
Tuition and median salary tell half the story. Our ROI calculator shows your personal payback period in 30 seconds — with your actual pre-MBA salary.
Calculate My ROI → No thanks, I’m done comparingRankings updates, salary benchmarks, and admissions insights — free, every week.
No thanks