McDonough School of Business and Wharton are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Wharton holds a stronger US News ranking. Wharton reports a higher median base salary. McDonough School of Business offers lower annual tuition, and Wharton delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. McDonough School of Business is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | McDonough School of Business | Wharton |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | — | #22026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | — | #22024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #32025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #22025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $84,800 | $84,830 |
| Median Base Salary | $158,000 | $248,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 366% | 631% |
| Class Size | — | 918 |
| Acceptance Rate | 17.0% | 19.2% |
| Median GMAT | 695 | 733 |
| 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.
Full McDonough School of Business profile → Calculate McDonough School of Business ROI →
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Known for its rigorous finance curriculum and extensive alumni network, Wharton consistently ranks at the top of MBA rankings. The school offers unparalleled access to Wall Street and a collaborative learning environment.
Wharton is a top M7 program; McDonough School of Business is a highly ranked T15 school. Wharton ranks higher in US News, but Wharton delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 631%. 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 19.2% for Wharton.
McDonough School of Business reports a median base salary of $158,000, while Wharton reports $248,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
McDonough School of Business annual tuition is $84,800 and Wharton is $84,830. McDonough School of Business offers a 30 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