Johnson and McCombs 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. McCombs offers lower annual tuition, and McCombs delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Johnson is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Johnson | McCombs |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #152026 | #182026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #182024 | #152024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #272025 | #352025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #222025 | #302025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $71,940 | $56,034 |
| Median Base Salary | $170,000 | $168,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 491% | 650% |
| Class Size | 297 | 261 |
| Acceptance Rate | 27.0% | 28.5% |
| Median GMAT | 710 | 706 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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.
UT Austin McCombs offers one of the best value propositions in MBA education. Located in the booming Austin tech scene, McCombs has strong placements in consulting, tech, and energy. The school is known for its Plus program and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Johnson ranks higher in US News, but McCombs delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 650%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Johnson is more selective with a 27.0% acceptance rate, compared to 28.5% for McCombs.
Johnson reports a median base salary of $170,000, while McCombs reports $168,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Johnson annual tuition is $71,940 and McCombs is $56,034. McCombs offers a 15,906 lower annual cost.
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