The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington sits at the epicentre of the Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks ecosystem. With one of the highest percentages of tech-sector placements among Top 30 programs, Foster is the go-to MBA for professionals targeting Pacific Northwest tech and management consulting. Its selective 19% acceptance rate and strong value proposition—especially at in-state tuition—make it one of the most underrated programs in the country.
With a class size of 204 students, Foster offers a small, intimate learning environment. The program's 19.0% acceptance rate makes it a highly competitive program.
Graduates report a median starting salary of $145,000, yielding an estimated 5-year ROI of approximately 436% after accounting for two years of tuition at $67,596 per year.
How Foster ranks according to each major business school ranking.
| Source | US News | BBW |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26 | #29 |
| Year | 2026 | 2024 |
Track how Foster's ranking has changed over time in each major publication.
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2026 | #26— |
| 2025 | #26— |
| 2024 | #26▼ 3 |
| 2023 | #23▲ 1 |
| 2022 | #24▼ 2 |
| 2021 | #22▲ 1 |
| 2020 | #23— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #29▼ 1 |
| 2022 | #28▼ 2 |
| 2020 | #26— |
Rankings data compiled from official publications. Global rankings (FT, QS) include international business schools, so positions may differ from US-only lists.