Jones and Kellogg are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Kellogg holds a stronger US News ranking. Kellogg reports a higher median base salary. Jones offers lower annual tuition, and Kellogg delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Kellogg is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Jones | Kellogg |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #282026 | #42026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #342024 | #62024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #102025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #82025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,560 | $78,276 |
| Median Base Salary | $153,000 | $185,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 427% | 491% |
| Class Size | 130 | 500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 33.0% | 20.2% |
| Median GMAT | 710 | 727 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is Houston's premier MBA program and one of the top energy MBA programs in the world. Its small class size (~130) ensures exceptional faculty access and tight alumni networks. Jones graduates excel in energy, consulting, and finance, with strong placement at energy majors (ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron), investment banks, and McKinsey/BCG/Bain. Located in the Texas Medical Center, it also has growing healthcare and biotech placement.
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern is the birthplace of modern marketing education. Known for its collaborative culture, team-based learning, and strong emphasis on leadership development, Kellogg graduates are highly sought after in consulting and consumer goods industries.
Kellogg is a top M7 program; Jones is a highly ranked T15 school. Kellogg ranks higher in US News, but Kellogg delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 491%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Kellogg is more selective with a 20.2% acceptance rate, compared to 33.0% for Jones.
Jones reports a median base salary of $153,000, while Kellogg reports $185,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Jones annual tuition is $72,560 and Kellogg is $78,276. Jones offers a 5,716 lower annual cost.
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