Kellogg and Olin 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. Olin offers lower annual tuition, and Olin delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Kellogg is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Kellogg | Olin |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #42026 | #252025 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #62024 | #242024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #102025 | #522025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #82025 | #462025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $78,276 | $63,250 |
| Median Base Salary | $185,000 | $155,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 491% | 513% |
| Class Size | 500 | 155 |
| Acceptance Rate | 20.2% | 32.0% |
| Median GMAT | 727 | 694 |
| 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.
WashU Olin offers a rigorous, customizable MBA with strengths in healthcare, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The school's strong corporate connections in the Midwest and intimate class sizes provide a personalized educational experience.
Kellogg is a top M7 program; Olin is a highly ranked T15 school. Kellogg ranks higher in US News, but Olin delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 513%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Kellogg is more selective with a 20.2% acceptance rate, compared to 32.0% for Olin.
Kellogg reports a median base salary of $185,000, while Olin reports $155,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Kellogg annual tuition is $78,276 and Olin is $63,250. Olin offers a 15,026 lower annual cost.
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