Columbia vs. NYU Stern: Which NYC MBA Should You Choose?
New York City is not just a global business hub but also home to two of the most popular MBA programs in the world: Columbia Business School (CBS) and NYU Stern School of Business. Both offer rigorous academics, great access to recruiters, and a transformative learning experience. But when it comes to choosing between them, how do you decide which program is right for you? In this post, I am going to compare Columbia vs. NYU Stern across factors like academics, career outcomes, ROI, and more so that you can make an informed decision.
1. Brand and Rankings
Columbia Business School typically ranks slightly higher in global and U.S. rankings compared to NYU Stern. CBS is considered an M7 school, part of an elite group that includes schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. While not considered an M7, Stern consistently ranks within the top 15 U.S. MBA programs.
However, rankings should not be the only deciding factor when choosing between these two schools. Stern has a strong reputation in specific industries (more on that below), and both schools offer strong alumni networks and access to top employers.
2. Academics and Specializations
Columbia and Stern both offer rigorous, flexible curricula with a mix of core courses and electives.
Columbia’s strengths are consulting and finance. Its Value Investing, and Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management programs are particularly renowned. CBS emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship through The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center. CBS has recently moved to a new campus in Manhattanville, equipped with world-class facilities and state-of-the art infrastructure.
NYU Stern is also known for its strengths in consulting and finance, apart from entertainment and media, luxury marketing, and technology. The Tech MBA and Luxury & Retail MBA are innovative one-year programs that cater to specific career paths. NYU Stern also has a strong emphasis on sustainability, fintech, and analytics.
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3. Class Profile and Admissions
Columbia’s full-time MBA class size around 970 students. CBS offers two intakes – an August intake and a January intake for those who don’t need a summer internship. According to the school’s website, the enrolment for January intake for class entering 2024 was ~240, while that for August intake was ~730. This is much bigger compared to NYU Stern’s class size of ~350 members.
The average GMAT scores of the incoming classes at both schools is ~730 and the average work experience is also similar for both classes, around 5 years. Around 46% of the class at CBS is international, while this number for NYU Stern is at 40%. While CBS is slightly more selective with an acceptance rate of around 13%, NYU Stern is more generous at ~25%.
NYU Stern’s admissions process is known for valuing EQ (Emotional Intelligence) and personal expression. The famous “Pick Six” essay asks applicants to share six images that represent who they are. This reflects their emphasis on personality and background, rather than accomplishments and competitiveness.
CBS, on the other hand, takes a more traditional approach with its essay prompts but looks for clarity in goals and strong academic/professional track records.
4. Career Outcomes and Recruiting
Both schools offer excellent job placements, especially in finance and consulting, and have dedicated career services teams and active alumni who help students navigate job searches.
Columbia has a strong pipeline into investment banking, private equity, and strategy roles at top firms like Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and BCG. Its proximity to Wall Street, and Ivy League pedigree give it an edge in competitive finance roles. According to the latest employment statistics, ~40% of CBS graduates were placed in consulting, and ~37% in finance.
Stern also places very well into consulting and finance, particularly investment banking, but also has strong placements in media, entertainment, luxury, and tech. Companies like Amazon, Google, LVMH, and Warner Bros frequently hire Stern grads. As per their latest employment data, ~42% of their class was placed in consulting, ~30% in finance, out of which 23% went to work in investment banking, and 14% took up roles in tech.
Being based in NYC gives students at both schools unparalleled access to recruiters, industry panels, alumni events, and corporate visits. They are ideal for those seeking informal networking opportunities outside the classroom, like a coffee chat with a hedge fund VP or attending a networking mixer at a tech startup.
5. Campus and Student Life
Columbia’s new state-of-the-art campus in Manhattanville, near West Harlem, offers world-class facilities. The move has revitalized its campus feel, traditionally seen as more subdued due to its Ivy League affiliation and ties to Columbia University.
Stern is located in the heart of Greenwich Village, part of NYU’s vibrant urban campus. If you are drawn to an integrated city-campus vibe with access to downtown startups and creative hubs, Stern is the right choice for you.
In terms of student culture, Columbia leans slightly more towards traditional and finance-focused, while Stern is known for being collaborative, expressive, and diverse. Stern’s smaller class size also contributes to a tighter-knit community.
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6. Alumni Network
Columbia has one of the largest alumni networks in the world, thanks to its affiliation with the broader Columbia University. CBS alumni are prominent in finance, consulting, and C-suite roles across industries.
Stern’s alumni base is strong, particularly in NYC. Its graduates are influential in tech, media, and luxury sectors. The school prides itself on a supportive and accessible alumni community.
7. Cost and ROI
The cost of attendance for both programs is similar, with tuition for full-time MBA at CBS being around $88,000 per year, and for NYU Stern around $87000. Living expenses in NYC and other mandatory charges can push the total cost to ~$130,000 per year at both schools.
In terms of ROI, both schools have reported high median salaries for graduates: ~$175,000 (base) for CBS graduates and ~$168,000 (base) for NYU Stern graduates. Columbia grads often report higher base salaries, especially in finance roles. However, Stern’s one-year specialized MBA options can offer quicker returns for those pursuing niche careers.
Which One is Right for You?
Each of these schools’ strengths can be summarized as follow:
Columbia: Ivy League prestige, strong finance and consulting recruiting, dual intake options, new campus with cutting-edge resources.
NYU Stern: Creative and expressive admissions process, strong in media/luxury/tech, one-year specialized MBAs, central downtown NYC location.
If your goal is to break into high finance or consulting and you value Ivy League prestige, Columbia may be the better fit. Its traditional MBA structure, strong brand, and access to elite firms give it a slight edge in competitive corporate paths.
If you are looking for a collaborative culture, are interested in tech, media, or luxury, and value a more diverse and creative cohort, Stern is an excellent choice. Its location, innovative programs, and tight-knit community make it standout.
Ultimately, both CBS and Stern offer incredible MBA experiences in one of the world’s greatest cities. Your decision should come down to your career goals, learning style, and the kind of community you want to be a part of.
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