Foster and Sloan are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Sloan holds a stronger US News ranking. Sloan reports a higher median base salary. Foster offers lower annual tuition, and Sloan delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Sloan is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Foster | Sloan |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #262026 | #62026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #292024 | #32024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #12025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #32025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $67,596 | $82,000 |
| Median Base Salary | $145,000 | $246,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 436% | 650% |
| Class Size | 204 | 480 |
| Acceptance Rate | 19.0% | 13.6% |
| Median GMAT | 700 | 730 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
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.
MIT Sloan combines management education with MIT's engineering and technology DNA. Known for producing leaders in tech, biotech, and entrepreneurship, Sloan offers a unique action learning approach. Students benefit from MIT's broader ecosystem of innovation and research.
Sloan is a top M7 program; Foster is a highly ranked T15 school. Sloan ranks higher in US News, but Sloan delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 650%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Sloan is more selective with a 13.6% acceptance rate, compared to 19.0% for Foster.
Foster reports a median base salary of $145,000, while Sloan reports $246,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Foster annual tuition is $67,596 and Sloan is $82,000. Foster offers a 14,404 lower annual cost.
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