Maryland Smith vs George Washington
Which MBA program is right for you?
Maryland Smith
George Washington
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Maryland Smith | George Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #37 | #48 |
| Acceptance Rate | 38% | 42% |
| Avg. GMAT | 685 | 675 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.3 | 3.25 |
| Class Size | 120 | 100 |
| Avg. Salary | $140,000 | $130,000 |
| Employment Rate | 90% | 89% |
| Annual Tuition | $48,172 | $59,760 |
The Verdict
Choose Maryland Smith if…
you want a Big Ten public MBA in the DC metro with strong tech and government contractor placement.
Full Maryland Smith Profile →Choose George Washington if…
you want a private DC university with international affairs proximity, a smaller cohort, and direct K Street access.
Full George Washington Profile →Why People Compare These Two
Maryland Smith (#37) and George Washington (#48) sit on opposite sides of the DC metro with very different value propositions. Smith is a public Big Ten program in College Park with deep federal contractor placement. GW is a private university in downtown DC with a smaller class and walkable access to think tanks, federal agencies, and international organizations.
Location and Access
Maryland's College Park campus is closer to the federal IT and contractor ecosystem (Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen). GW is six blocks from the World Bank and three subway stops from Capitol Hill. If you want federal contractors, Smith. If you want international development, multilateral organizations, or government policy, GW.
The Honest Take
Smith outranks GW by 11 spots and produces stronger national recruiting outcomes. For private sector roles, take Smith. For DC-specific careers in international development, public sector consulting, or policy, GW's location and alumni network in those circles outweigh the ranking gap. In-state Maryland tuition tilts the value math heavily toward Smith for state residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more affordable?
Maryland Smith for in-state students at roughly half GW's tuition. Out-of-state, the cost gap closes significantly. GW offers merit scholarships that can level the field for strong applicants.
Which has better federal placement?
Maryland Smith for IT, defense, and federal contractors. George Washington for international agencies, policy roles, and federal regulatory work.
Which has the smaller class?
George Washington at 100 students vs Maryland Smith at 120. Both are mid-sized programs. GW's smaller class produces tighter cohorts; Smith's larger class produces broader networks.