Marshall and Sloan are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Sloan holds a stronger US News ranking. Sloan reports a higher median base salary. Marshall offers lower annual tuition, and Sloan delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Sloan is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Marshall | Sloan |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #252026 | #62026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #192024 | #32024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #382025 | #12025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #262025 | #32025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $66,640 | $82,000 |
| Median Base Salary | $165,000 | $246,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 519% | 650% |
| Class Size | 228 | 480 |
| Acceptance Rate | 26.0% | 13.6% |
| Median GMAT | 708 | 730 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
USC Marshall leverages its Los Angeles location and powerful Trojan alumni network. The school is particularly strong in entertainment, entrepreneurship, and international business. Marshall's global orientation attracts a diverse student body.
MIT Sloan combines management education with MIT's engineering and technology DNA. Known for producing leaders in tech, biotech, and entrepreneurship, Sloan offers a unique action learning approach. Students benefit from MIT's broader ecosystem of innovation and research.
Sloan is a top M7 program; Marshall is a highly ranked T15 school. Sloan ranks higher in US News, but Sloan delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 650%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Sloan is more selective with a 13.6% acceptance rate, compared to 26.0% for Marshall.
Marshall reports a median base salary of $165,000, while Sloan reports $246,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Marshall annual tuition is $66,640 and Sloan is $82,000. Marshall offers a 15,360 lower annual cost.
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