Darden and Kellogg are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Kellogg holds a stronger US News ranking. Kellogg reports a higher median base salary. Darden offers lower annual tuition, and Darden delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Kellogg is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Darden | Kellogg |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #112026 | #42026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #62024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #202025 | #102025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #182025 | #82025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,200 | $78,276 |
| Median Base Salary | $178,000 | $185,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 516% | 491% |
| Class Size | 350 | 500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0% | 20.2% |
| Median GMAT | 718 | 727 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Darden School of Business at UVA is known for its case-method teaching, second only to Harvard in case study usage. Darden students experience an immersive, discussion-based classroom environment. The school has strong placement in consulting, finance, and general management.
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.
Kellogg is a top M7 program; Darden is a highly ranked T15 school. Kellogg ranks higher in US News, but Darden delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 516%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Kellogg is more selective with a 20.2% acceptance rate, compared to 24.0% for Darden.
Darden reports a median base salary of $178,000, while Kellogg reports $185,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Darden annual tuition is $72,200 and Kellogg is $78,276. Darden offers a 6,076 lower annual cost.
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