McDonough School of Business and Kellogg are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Kellogg holds a stronger US News ranking. Kellogg reports a higher median base salary. Kellogg offers lower annual tuition, and Kellogg delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. McDonough School of Business is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | McDonough School of Business | Kellogg |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | — | #42026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | — | #62024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #102025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #82025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $84,800 | $78,276 |
| Median Base Salary | $158,000 | $185,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 366% | 491% |
| Class Size | — | 500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 17.0% | 20.2% |
| Median GMAT | 695 | 727 |
| 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.
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Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern is the birthplace of modern marketing education. Known for its collaborative culture, team-based learning, and strong emphasis on leadership development, Kellogg graduates are highly sought after in consulting and consumer goods industries.
Kellogg is a top M7 program; McDonough School of Business is a highly ranked T15 school. Kellogg ranks higher in US News, but Kellogg delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 491%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
McDonough School of Business is more selective with a 17.0% acceptance rate, compared to 20.2% for Kellogg.
McDonough School of Business reports a median base salary of $158,000, while Kellogg reports $185,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
McDonough School of Business annual tuition is $84,800 and Kellogg is $78,276. Kellogg offers a 6,524 lower annual cost.
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