HBS vs Columbia Business School: MBA comparison (2026)
HBS ranks higher in our composite (#4 vs #8). Tuition is $9,148 a year lower at HBS ($84,760 vs $93,908). HBS graduates report a higher median base salary, $184,500 against $175,000 at Columbia Business School.
| HBS | Columbia Business School | |
|---|---|---|
| Composite rank | #4 | #8 |
| Acceptance rate Lower is more selective | — | — |
| GMAT (classic scale) Median or average as published | 730 | 734 |
| Class size Larger is not better; shown for scale | 943 | 982 |
| Tuition per year | $84,760 | $93,908 |
| Cost of attendance per year | $130,318 | $143,030 |
| Median base salary | $184,500 | $175,000 |
| Median signing bonus | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Employed at 3 months | 90% | 92% |
| Women | 44% | 46% |
| International | 37% | 41% |
| Work experience (years) | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| Location | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
| Class profile year | Class of 2027 | Class entering 2025 (January and August entry) |
Bold marks the stronger figure where a comparison makes sense. GMAT is shown only where both schools report on the classic scale. Dashes mean the school does not publish the figure.
Rankings side by side
| Ranking | HBS | Columbia Business School |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. News | #4 | #7 |
| Financial Times | #10 | — |
| Bloomberg Businessweek | #4 | #9 |
| QS | #2 | #14 |
How to decide
Rank differences this small rarely change outcomes. Compare the industry mix in each school's employment report against your target industry, the net cost after any scholarship offer, and location relative to where you want to recruit. The school-selection guide walks through the method, and the ROI calculator models each school's cost against your expected salary.
Full profiles: Harvard Business School · Columbia Business School.
Frequently asked questions
Is HBS or Columbia Business School harder to get into?
At least one of the two schools does not publish an admit count, so compare the GMAT medians and class sizes in the table above instead.
Which is cheaper, HBS or Columbia Business School?
HBS has the lower published tuition ($84,760 vs $93,908 per year). Net cost depends on scholarships, which differ by candidate.
Which has better salary outcomes?
Median base salaries are $184,500 at HBS and $175,000 at Columbia Business School in the latest employment reports. Industry mix explains most of the gap between top schools.