Chatham vs Carnegie Mellon Tepper
Which MBA program is right for you?
Chatham
Carnegie Mellon Tepper
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Chatham | Carnegie Mellon Tepper |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #146 | #18 |
| Acceptance Rate | 80% | 28% |
| Avg. GMAT | 500 | 710 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.2 | 3.45 |
| Class Size | 25 | 200 |
| Avg. Salary | $65,000 | $158,000 |
| Employment Rate | 78% | 93% |
| Annual Tuition | $16,500 | $72,800 |
The Verdict
Choose Chatham if…
you want Pittsburgh's most affordable MBA with small cohorts and sustainability focus.
Full Chatham Profile →Choose Carnegie Mellon Tepper if…
you want a top-20 nationally ranked program (#18 vs #146) with the strongest quantitative MBA curriculum in the country.
Full Carnegie Mellon Tepper Profile →Why People Compare These Two
Both are Pittsburgh MBA programs at opposite ends of the ranking spectrum. Carnegie Mellon Tepper (#18) is a top-20 quantitative powerhouse with tech, finance, and analytics placement. Chatham (#146) is a tiny MBA program with sustainability focus and one of the smallest class sizes of any AACSB-accredited program. The ranking gap (128 positions) is one of the widest possible city comparisons.
The Honest Take
Tepper is in a completely different league. World-class quantitative curriculum, tech company placement, and $145K+ starting salaries. Chatham wins only on affordability and for students specifically interested in sustainability business education with an intimate learning experience. For any career ambition beyond the immediate Pittsburgh market, Tepper is the investment that pays for itself many times over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is higher ranked?
Carnegie Mellon Tepper (#18) outranks Chatham (#146) by 128 positions.
Which is more affordable?
Chatham is dramatically more affordable than Tepper. Pittsburgh's low cost of living benefits both programs.
Which is better for tech?
Tepper, overwhelmingly. CMU's technology and AI reputation makes Tepper one of the top tech MBA programs in the world.