Foster and HBS are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. HBS holds a stronger US News ranking. HBS reports a higher median base salary. Foster offers lower annual tuition, and HBS delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. HBS is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Foster | HBS |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #262026 | #42026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #292024 | #42024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #42025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #52025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $67,596 | $76,410 |
| Median Base Salary | $145,000 | $260,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 436% | 751% |
| Class Size | 204 | 930 |
| Acceptance Rate | 19.0% | 11.0% |
| Median GMAT | 700 | 740 |
| 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.
Harvard Business School pioneered the case method of teaching and remains the gold standard for general management education. HBS is the most selective MBA program in the world, producing more Fortune 500 CEOs than any other school. Its case study approach prepares leaders to tackle ambiguous business challenges.
HBS is a top M7 program; Foster is a highly ranked T15 school. HBS ranks higher in US News, but HBS delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 751%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
HBS is more selective with a 11.0% acceptance rate, compared to 19.0% for Foster.
Foster reports a median base salary of $145,000, while HBS reports $260,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Foster annual tuition is $67,596 and HBS is $76,410. Foster offers a 8,814 lower annual cost.
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