Fisher and Smeal are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Fisher holds a stronger US News ranking. Fisher reports a higher median base salary. Smeal offers lower annual tuition, and Smeal delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Fisher is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Fisher | Smeal |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #282026 | #372026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #402024 | — |
| Financial Times Rank | — | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $53,508 | $45,994 |
| Median Base Salary | $120,000 | $115,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 461% | 525% |
| Class Size | 95 | 80 |
| Acceptance Rate | 30.0% | 37.0% |
| Median GMAT | 660 | 652 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
The Max M. Fisher College of Business at Ohio State offers an intimate, highly collaborative MBA experience with exceptional value. Fisher's Max Fellows program and corporate partnerships provide funded field experiences with Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Midwest. The program is particularly strong in marketing, supply chain management, and finance, with key corporate partners including Nationwide, Cardinal Health, and Deloitte.
The Smeal College of Business at Penn State offers one of the best ROI values in MBA education, particularly for candidates targeting finance, supply chain management, and consumer goods. Penn State's massive alumni network (700,000+ members globally) provides unparalleled corporate access. Smeal's intensive cohort model and case-based curriculum develop collaborative leaders valued by recruiting firms across the Northeast and Midwest.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Fisher ranks higher in US News, but Smeal delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 525%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Fisher is more selective with a 30.0% acceptance rate, compared to 37.0% for Smeal.
Fisher reports a median base salary of $120,000, while Smeal reports $115,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Fisher annual tuition is $53,508 and Smeal is $45,994. Smeal offers a 7,514 lower annual cost.
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