Columbia and Stern are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Columbia reports a higher median base salary. Stern offers lower annual tuition, and Stern delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Columbia | Stern |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #72026 | #72026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #142024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | #152025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #72025 | #132025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,584 | $76,780 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $180,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 475% | 486% |
| Class Size | 850 | 362 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.5% | 23.0% |
| Median GMAT | 729 | 720 |
| 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.
NYU Stern leverages its Greenwich Village location to offer deep connections to finance, media, entertainment, and tech. Known for its specializations in finance and luxury marketing, Stern attracts a globally diverse student body.
Columbia is a top M7 program; Stern is a highly ranked T15 school. Stern delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 486%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 23.0% for Stern.
Columbia reports a median base salary of $190,000, while Stern reports $180,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Columbia annual tuition is $82,584 and Stern is $76,780. Stern offers a 5,804 lower annual cost.
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