GSB and Tepper are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. GSB holds a stronger US News ranking. GSB reports a higher median base salary. Tepper offers lower annual tuition, and Tepper delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Tepper is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | GSB | Tepper |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #12026 | #162026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #12024 | #172024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #22025 | #302025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #42025 | #282025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $82,455 | $69,800 |
| Median Base Salary | $197,000 | $170,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 497% | 509% |
| Class Size | 436 | 211 |
| Acceptance Rate | 6.1% | 28.0% |
| Median GMAT | 738 | 710 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Stanford Graduate School of Business is the most selective MBA program globally, with an acceptance rate below 7%. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, GSB is the top choice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Its small class size fosters deep relationships and personalized education.
Carnegie Mellon Tepper is known for its quantitative and analytical approach to business education. With strong ties to CMU's computer science and engineering programs, Tepper is ideal for students interested in business analytics, operations, and technology management.
GSB is a top M7 program; Tepper is a highly ranked T15 school. GSB ranks higher in US News, but Tepper delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 509%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Tepper is more selective with a 28.0% acceptance rate, compared to 6.1% for GSB.
GSB reports a median base salary of $197,000, while Tepper reports $170,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
GSB annual tuition is $82,455 and Tepper is $69,800. Tepper offers a 12,655 lower annual cost.
Now see where you rank against these programs
Plug in your GPA, GMAT, and experience to get a live 0–100 competitiveness score.