McCombs and Owen are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. McCombs holds a stronger US News ranking. McCombs reports a higher median base salary. McCombs offers lower annual tuition, and McCombs delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. McCombs is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | McCombs | Owen |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #182026 | #352026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #152024 | #472024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #352025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #302025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $56,034 | $70,728 |
| Median Base Salary | $168,000 | $148,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 650% | 423% |
| Class Size | 261 | 185 |
| Acceptance Rate | 28.5% | 38.0% |
| Median GMAT | 706 | 668 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
UT Austin McCombs offers one of the best value propositions in MBA education. Located in the booming Austin tech scene, McCombs has strong placements in consulting, tech, and energy. The school is known for its Plus program and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University is the Southeast's most research-intensive MBA program. Located in Nashville—one of America's fastest-growing cities—Owen offers exceptional access to healthcare, music/entertainment, and technology industries. Known for its collegial culture and strong consulting placement, Owen's small, selective program produces alumni who consistently outperform expectations relative to the school's ranking.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. McCombs ranks higher in US News, but McCombs delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 650%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
McCombs is more selective with a 28.5% acceptance rate, compared to 38.0% for Owen.
McCombs reports a median base salary of $168,000, while Owen reports $148,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
McCombs annual tuition is $56,034 and Owen is $70,728. McCombs offers a 14,694 lower annual cost.
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