Top MBA Program Comparison and How to Use It

Deciding where to apply? Our newly updated Comparison of Top MBA Programs can help! This top MBA program comparison tool ranks business schools by class size, average post-MBA salary, and recruiting outcomes. It also includes the key criteria (GPA, GMAT, etc.) to help assess where you are likely to be a competitive applicant.

However, be thoughtful about school selection. A top MBA program comparison helps, but it goes beyond rankings. The degree is expensive. The application process is too. It’s also time-consuming. Limit your list to a few schools that best match your goals. This approach also improves your chances of admission. Furthermore, “fit” plays a huge role in the admissions process. If you skip research, convincing the admissions committee becomes difficult. You must clearly explain why their program fits your goals.

Using the Tool

If you are just beginning the school selection process, we recommend using our tool as follows:

1. With your GMAT/GRE score and undergraduate GPA in hand, go down the list and find the programs where your stats meet the average. That will give you a good idea of the range of schools where you’re competitive and where you’re a bit of an outlier.

Other factors such as age, work experience, nationality, etc. will then skew your range up or down slightly. You may need additional research. Compare your work experience with profiles of previously admitted students. Similarly, nationality can work for you or against you, depending on how many applicants from your country apply to your schools.

If you are unsure where you stand, consider a professional profile review. Many admissions consulting firms offer free consultations.

Note: That’s not to say that you shouldn’t apply to your dream school even if you fall outside of its range; but in those cases, it always makes sense to hedge your bets with a couple of target and/or “safer” schools. (No top school is “safe”, but there will be programs where your profile is more competitive than their averages.)

2. Narrow down from there. Once you have an idea of where you’re competitive, identify the schools that are the best fit for your profile and objectives. Here are some factors to consider in your research:

• Class size: this one really boils down to personal preference. Programs like HBS and Wharton enroll more than 850 students. Others, such as Haas and Tuck, keep class sizes under 300. Consequently, the size of your class will play a big role. Specifically, it affects the type of experience you have during your two years on campus. Therefore, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each. Then, determine which one is better aligned to your objectives. For example, small programs boast tight-knit, congenial communities while larger programs offer greater breadth and diversity in each class.
• Recruiting statistics: applying to schools that have a history of placing graduates in your dream job(s) simply makes sense. While all the top schools will have diversified employment statistics, you may see some bias towards consulting, tech, etc. That’s not to say that you should write-off a school simply because your target industry isn’t the #1 recruited industry. It’s simply another factor to consider.
• Location: this is one that we encourage you to be flexible with as much as possible. Remember that it’s only for two years. Moreover, all the top programs have widely influential brands. As a result, they will in no way limit your career options to a 50-mile radius from campus. On the other hand, if your post-MBA goals are concentrated in a specific geography (i.e. NYC for finance and fashion, Bay Area for tech, etc.) then it does make sense that programs in those areas would rise to the top of your list. If you prefer urban or rural locations, consider it in your decision. However, do not let geography be the only factor.

Next Steps

The rest of the process is more art than science. Beyond the factors in our tool, consider the following areas:

• Teaching method: this is a big one, particularly if you’re considering HBS or Darden where the case method dominates most of the curriculum. Research the case method if you are unfamiliar with it. Specifically, this style creates a unique, participation-heavy classroom dynamic. For example, it relies on class participation – students do 85% of the talking in class. Additionally, it involves cold-calling and requires thorough preparation. In contrast, the other teaching methods you’ll find are lectures and experiential learning. For instance, think immersion classes and team-based exercises. Consequently, pay attention to this and how it differs between schools. Indeed, it will have a big impact on how you learn for the next two years.
• Academic strength or research focus: Next, let’s start by clarifying that all top MBA programs offer a general management education. Specifically, they have a broad selection of electives across all business subject areas. You will have access to elite professors at any top school. Cutting-edge academics are standard across all major programs. Gone are the days of Wharton being only a “finance” school or Kellogg being only a “marketing” school. With that said, certain programs may offer greater resources or specific programming dedicated to your area of focus. For example, Columbia has the Value Investing program, Wharton has the Health Care Management major, NYU Stern has the Luxury Marketing specialization, etc. Consequently, depending on which industry you’re targeting, it may make sense to apply to programs with a strong legacy. This could be from curriculum strength, breadth of electives, faculty caliber, research prominence, or otherwise.
• Culture: this one is a bit trickier to figure out, especially when you’re just starting the research process. It’s hard to really understand how the schools are different from simply browsing their websites. Therefore, this is where engaging with the school really pays off. For example, try visiting campus, attending info sessions, and speaking with alums. After a couple different discussions, you’ll start to get a sense for how the programs are different from each other. In terms of which culture is right for you, that’s a matter of personal preference. If you have an independent streak, then maybe Booth is right for you. On the other hand, looking for a supportive, team-oriented environment? Kellogg or Tuck may be right up your alley. Lastly, we’ll say that while certain programs may have “reputations” that you’ve heard of, we recommend doing your own independent homework and deciding if you agree or not (they’re often over-stated, over-simplified, or outdated in our experience).

Bottom Line

After a certain research, you’ll get a “gut” sense of the programs that are right for you on multiple levels. Therefore, try to keep an open mind while remaining true to yourself and your goals. Best of luck!