Kenan-Flagler and Wharton are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Wharton holds a stronger US News ranking. Wharton reports a higher median base salary. Kenan-Flagler offers lower annual tuition, and Kenan-Flagler delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Wharton is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Kenan-Flagler | Wharton |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #212026 | #22026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #202024 | #22024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #402025 | #32025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #362025 | #22025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $47,692 | $84,830 |
| Median Base Salary | $162,000 | $248,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 749% | 631% |
| Class Size | 316 | 918 |
| Acceptance Rate | 31.0% | 19.2% |
| Median GMAT | 700 | 733 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
UNC Kenan-Flagler offers outstanding value as a public MBA program. Known for its collaborative culture and strong placements in consulting and finance, the school also excels in real estate and sustainable enterprise education.
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Known for its rigorous finance curriculum and extensive alumni network, Wharton consistently ranks at the top of MBA rankings. The school offers unparalleled access to Wall Street and a collaborative learning environment.
Wharton is a top M7 program; Kenan-Flagler is a highly ranked T15 school. Wharton ranks higher in US News, but Kenan-Flagler delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 749%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Wharton is more selective with a 19.2% acceptance rate, compared to 31.0% for Kenan-Flagler.
Kenan-Flagler reports a median base salary of $162,000, while Wharton reports $248,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Kenan-Flagler annual tuition is $47,692 and Wharton is $84,830. Kenan-Flagler offers a 37,138 lower annual cost.
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