Anderson and Robert H. Smith School of Business 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. Anderson offers lower annual tuition, and Anderson delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Robert H. Smith School of Business is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Anderson | Robert H. Smith School of Business |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #182026 | — |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #162024 | — |
| Financial Times Rank | #242025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #112025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $65,049 | $72,000 |
| Median Base Salary | $172,000 | $148,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 561% | 414% |
| Class Size | 360 | — |
| Acceptance Rate | 25.0% | 23.0% |
| Median GMAT | 714 | 680 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
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.
Full Robert H. Smith School of Business profile → Calculate Robert H. Smith School of Business ROI →
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.
Robert H. Smith School of Business is more selective with a 23.0% acceptance rate, compared to 25.0% for Anderson.
Anderson reports a median base salary of $172,000, while Robert H. Smith School of Business reports $148,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Anderson annual tuition is $65,049 and Robert H. Smith School of Business is $72,000. Anderson offers a 6,951 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.
Tuition and median salary tell half the story. Our ROI calculator shows your personal payback period in 30 seconds — with your actual pre-MBA salary.
Calculate My ROI → No thanks, I’m done comparingRankings updates, salary benchmarks, and admissions insights — free, every week.
No thanks