Olin and Smeal are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Olin holds a stronger US News ranking. Olin reports a higher median base salary. Smeal offers lower annual tuition, and Smeal delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Olin is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Olin | Smeal |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #252025 | #372026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #242024 | — |
| Financial Times Rank | #522025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #462025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $63,250 | $45,994 |
| Median Base Salary | $155,000 | $115,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 513% | 525% |
| Class Size | 155 | 80 |
| Acceptance Rate | 32.0% | 37.0% |
| Median GMAT | 694 | 652 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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.
The Smeal College of Business at Penn State offers one of the best ROI values in MBA education, particularly for candidates targeting finance, supply chain management, and consumer goods. Penn State's massive alumni network (700,000+ members globally) provides unparalleled corporate access. Smeal's intensive cohort model and case-based curriculum develop collaborative leaders valued by recruiting firms across the Northeast and Midwest.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Olin ranks higher in US News, but Smeal delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 525%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Olin is more selective with a 32.0% acceptance rate, compared to 37.0% for Smeal.
Olin reports a median base salary of $155,000, while Smeal reports $115,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Olin annual tuition is $63,250 and Smeal is $45,994. Smeal offers a 17,256 lower annual cost.
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