McDonough School of Business and GSB are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. GSB holds a stronger US News ranking. GSB reports a higher median base salary. GSB offers lower annual tuition, and GSB delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. McDonough School of Business is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | McDonough School of Business | GSB |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | — | #12026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | — | #12024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #22025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #42025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $84,800 | $82,455 |
| Median Base Salary | $158,000 | $197,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 366% | 497% |
| Class Size | — | 436 |
| Acceptance Rate | 17.0% | 6.1% |
| Median GMAT | 695 | 738 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
Full McDonough School of Business profile → Calculate McDonough School of Business ROI →
Stanford Graduate School of Business is the most selective MBA program globally, with an acceptance rate below 7%. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, GSB is the top choice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Its small class size fosters deep relationships and personalized education.
GSB is a top M7 program; McDonough School of Business is a highly ranked T15 school. GSB ranks higher in US News, but GSB delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 497%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
McDonough School of Business is more selective with a 17.0% acceptance rate, compared to 6.1% for GSB.
McDonough School of Business reports a median base salary of $158,000, while GSB reports $197,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
McDonough School of Business annual tuition is $84,800 and GSB is $82,455. GSB offers a 2,345 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.
Tuition and median salary tell half the story. Our ROI calculator shows your personal payback period in 30 seconds — with your actual pre-MBA salary.
Calculate My ROI → No thanks, I’m done comparingRankings updates, salary benchmarks, and admissions insights — free, every week.
No thanks