Johnson and McDonough are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Johnson holds a stronger US News ranking. Johnson reports a higher median base salary. McDonough offers lower annual tuition, and McDonough delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Johnson is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Johnson | McDonough |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #152026 | #312026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #182024 | #212024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #272025 | #422025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #222025 | #342025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $71,940 | $64,350 |
| Median Base Salary | $170,000 | $162,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 491% | 529% |
| Class Size | 297 | 262 |
| Acceptance Rate | 27.0% | 31.0% |
| Median GMAT | 710 | 700 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Cornell Johnson sits within a research university renowned for hospitality, tech, and real estate. Johnson offers immersion learning through its semester-long deep dives into specific industries. Its Tech MBA program in New York City is a unique offering.
Georgetown McDonough sits in the nation's capital, offering unmatched access to government, policy, international organizations, and nonprofits. The school is ideal for those interested in the intersection of business and public policy.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Johnson ranks higher in US News, but McDonough delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 529%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Johnson is more selective with a 27.0% acceptance rate, compared to 31.0% for McDonough.
Johnson reports a median base salary of $170,000, while McDonough reports $162,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Johnson annual tuition is $71,940 and McDonough is $64,350. McDonough offers a 7,590 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.