Columbia and Kelley 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. Kelley offers lower annual tuition, and Kelley delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Columbia | Kelley |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #72026 | #212026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #232024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | #502025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #72025 | #422025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,584 | $53,754 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $152,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 475% | 607% |
| Class Size | 850 | 203 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.5% | 35.0% |
| Median GMAT | 729 | 688 |
| 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.
Indiana Kelley offers one of the best ROI values in MBA education. Known for its strong marketing and finance programs, Kelley's collaborative culture and extensive corporate partnerships provide strong career outcomes at an affordable price.
Columbia is a top M7 program; Kelley is a highly ranked T15 school. Columbia ranks higher in US News, but Kelley delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 607%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 35.0% for Kelley.
Columbia reports a median base salary of $190,000, while Kelley reports $152,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Columbia annual tuition is $82,584 and Kelley is $53,754. Kelley offers a 28,830 lower annual cost.
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