HBS and Mays Business School 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. Mays Business School offers lower annual tuition, and HBS delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. HBS is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | HBS | Mays Business School |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #42026 | — |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #42024 | — |
| Financial Times Rank | #42025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #52025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $76,410 | $66,520 |
| Median Base Salary | $260,000 | $150,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 751% | 464% |
| Class Size | 930 | — |
| Acceptance Rate | 11.0% | 20.0% |
| Median GMAT | 740 | 680 |
| 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.
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.
Full Mays Business School profile → Calculate Mays Business School ROI →
HBS is a top M7 program; Mays Business School 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 20.0% for Mays Business School.
HBS reports a median base salary of $260,000, while Mays Business School reports $150,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
HBS annual tuition is $76,410 and Mays Business School is $66,520. Mays Business School offers a 9,890 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