Foster and Haas are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Haas holds a stronger US News ranking. Haas reports a higher median base salary. Foster offers lower annual tuition, and Haas delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Haas is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Foster | Haas |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #262026 | #102026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #292024 | #82024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #122025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #102025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $67,596 | $68,444 |
| Median Base Salary | $145,000 | $185,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 436% | 576% |
| Class Size | 204 | 291 |
| Acceptance Rate | 19.0% | 15.0% |
| Median GMAT | 700 | 726 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington sits at the epicentre of the Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks ecosystem. With one of the highest percentages of tech-sector placements among Top 30 programs, Foster is the go-to MBA for professionals targeting Pacific Northwest tech and management consulting. Its selective 19% acceptance rate and strong value proposition—especially at in-state tuition—make it one of the most underrated programs in the country.
UC Berkeley Haas is known for its culture of innovation and defining leadership principles: "Question the Status Quo," "Confidence Without Attitude," "Students Always," and "Beyond Yourself." Located near Silicon Valley, Haas is a pipeline to the tech industry.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Haas ranks higher in US News, but Haas delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 576%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Haas is more selective with a 15.0% acceptance rate, compared to 19.0% for Foster.
Foster reports a median base salary of $145,000, while Haas reports $185,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Foster annual tuition is $67,596 and Haas is $68,444. Foster offers a 848 lower annual cost.
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