Columbia and Tuck 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. Tuck offers lower annual tuition, and Tuck delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Columbia is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Columbia | Tuck |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #72026 | #92026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #102024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #52025 | #162025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #72025 | #142025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,584 | $77,520 |
| Median Base Salary | $190,000 | $182,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 475% | 487% |
| Class Size | 850 | 291 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.5% | 21.5% |
| Median GMAT | 729 | 724 |
| 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.
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth is known for having the strongest alumni network per capita of any business school. Its small, close-knit community in Hanover fosters deep connections. Tuck specializes in general management and produces leaders who value collaboration and integrity.
Columbia is a top M7 program; Tuck is a highly ranked T15 school. Columbia ranks higher in US News, but Tuck delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 487%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Columbia is more selective with a 16.5% acceptance rate, compared to 21.5% for Tuck.
Columbia reports a median base salary of $190,000, while Tuck reports $182,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Columbia annual tuition is $82,584 and Tuck is $77,520. Tuck offers a 5,064 lower annual cost.
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