Foster and Johnson are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Johnson holds a stronger US News ranking. Johnson reports a higher median base salary. Foster offers lower annual tuition, and Johnson delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Foster is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Foster | Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #262026 | #152026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #292024 | #182024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #272025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #222025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $67,596 | $71,940 |
| Median Base Salary | $145,000 | $170,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 436% | 491% |
| Class Size | 204 | 297 |
| Acceptance Rate | 19.0% | 27.0% |
| Median GMAT | 700 | 710 |
| 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.
Cornell Johnson sits within a research university renowned for hospitality, tech, and real estate. Johnson offers immersion learning through its semester-long deep dives into specific industries. Its Tech MBA program in New York City is a unique offering.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Johnson ranks higher in US News, but Johnson delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 491%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Foster is more selective with a 19.0% acceptance rate, compared to 27.0% for Johnson.
Foster reports a median base salary of $145,000, while Johnson reports $170,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Foster annual tuition is $67,596 and Johnson is $71,940. Foster offers a 4,344 lower annual cost.
Now see where you rank against these programs
Plug in your GPA, GMAT, and experience to get a live 0–100 competitiveness score.