Columbia and McDonough 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. McDonough offers lower annual tuition, and McDonough delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Columbia | McDonough |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #72026 | #312026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #212024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | #422025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #72025 | #342025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,584 | $64,350 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $162,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 475% | 529% |
| Class Size | 850 | 262 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.5% | 31.0% |
| Median GMAT | 729 | 700 |
| 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.
Georgetown McDonough sits in the nation's capital, offering unmatched access to government, policy, international organizations, and nonprofits. The school is ideal for those interested in the intersection of business and public policy.
Columbia is a top M7 program; McDonough is a highly ranked T15 school. Columbia ranks higher in US News, but McDonough delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 529%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 31.0% for McDonough.
Columbia reports a median base salary of $190,000, while McDonough reports $162,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Columbia annual tuition is $82,584 and McDonough is $64,350. McDonough offers a 18,234 lower annual cost.
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