Columbia and Kellogg are both elite M7 MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Kellogg holds a stronger US News ranking. Columbia reports a higher median base salary. Kellogg offers lower annual tuition, and Kellogg delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Columbia | Kellogg |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #72026 | #42026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #62024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | #102025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #72025 | #82025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,584 | $78,276 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $185,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 475% | 491% |
| Class Size | 850 | 500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.5% | 20.2% |
| Median GMAT | 729 | 727 |
| 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.
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern is the birthplace of modern marketing education. Known for its collaborative culture, team-based learning, and strong emphasis on leadership development, Kellogg graduates are highly sought after in consulting and consumer goods industries.
Both are elite M7 programs. Kellogg ranks higher in US News, but Kellogg delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 491%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 20.2% for Kellogg.
Columbia reports a median base salary of $190,000, while Kellogg reports $185,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Columbia annual tuition is $82,584 and Kellogg is $78,276. Kellogg offers a 4,308 lower annual cost.
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