Kellogg and McDonough 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. McDonough offers lower annual tuition, and McDonough delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Kellogg is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Kellogg | McDonough |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #42026 | #312026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #62024 | #212024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #102025 | #422025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #82025 | #342025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $78,276 | $64,350 |
| Median Base Salary | $185,000 | $162,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 491% | 529% |
| Class Size | 500 | 262 |
| Acceptance Rate | 20.2% | 31.0% |
| Median GMAT | 727 | 700 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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.
Georgetown McDonough sits in the nation's capital, offering unmatched access to government, policy, international organizations, and nonprofits. The school is ideal for those interested in the intersection of business and public policy.
Kellogg is a top M7 program; McDonough is a highly ranked T15 school. Kellogg ranks higher in US News, but McDonough delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 529%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Kellogg is more selective with a 20.2% acceptance rate, compared to 31.0% for McDonough.
Kellogg reports a median base salary of $185,000, while McDonough reports $162,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Kellogg annual tuition is $78,276 and McDonough is $64,350. McDonough offers a 13,926 lower annual cost.
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