Anderson and Smeal are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Anderson holds a stronger US News ranking. Anderson reports a higher median base salary. Smeal offers lower annual tuition, and Anderson delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Anderson is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Anderson | Smeal |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #182026 | #372026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #162024 | — |
| Financial Times Rank | #242025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #112025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $65,049 | $45,994 |
| Median Base Salary | $172,000 | $115,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 561% | 525% |
| Class Size | 360 | 80 |
| Acceptance Rate | 25.0% | 37.0% |
| Median GMAT | 714 | 652 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
UCLA Anderson is a top choice for those looking to work in entertainment, real estate, and tech on the West Coast. Known for its entrepreneurial culture and strong alumni ties in Los Angeles, Anderson offers a high ROI given its public school tuition.
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. Anderson ranks higher in US News, but Anderson delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 561%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Anderson is more selective with a 25.0% acceptance rate, compared to 37.0% for Smeal.
Anderson reports a median base salary of $172,000, while Smeal reports $115,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Anderson annual tuition is $65,049 and Smeal is $45,994. Smeal offers a 19,055 lower annual cost.
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