Columbia and Fisher 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. Fisher offers lower annual tuition, and Columbia delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Columbia | Fisher |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #72026 | #282026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #402024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #72025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,584 | $53,508 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $120,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 475% | 461% |
| Class Size | 850 | 95 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.5% | 30.0% |
| Median GMAT | 729 | 660 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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.
The Max M. Fisher College of Business at Ohio State offers an intimate, highly collaborative MBA experience with exceptional value. Fisher's Max Fellows program and corporate partnerships provide funded field experiences with Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Midwest. The program is particularly strong in marketing, supply chain management, and finance, with key corporate partners including Nationwide, Cardinal Health, and Deloitte.
Columbia is a top M7 program; Fisher is a highly ranked T15 school. Columbia ranks higher in US News, but Columbia delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 475%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 30.0% for Fisher.
Columbia reports a median base salary of $190,000, while Fisher reports $120,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Columbia annual tuition is $82,584 and Fisher is $53,508. Fisher offers a 29,076 lower annual cost.
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