Notre Dame Mendoza vs Boston College Carroll
Which MBA program is right for you?
Notre Dame Mendoza
Boston College Carroll
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Notre Dame Mendoza | Boston College Carroll |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #29 | #49 |
| Acceptance Rate | 32% | 40% |
| Avg. GMAT | 695 | 680 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.35 | 3.3 |
| Class Size | 110 | 100 |
| Avg. Salary | $145,000 | $135,000 |
| Employment Rate | 91% | 90% |
| Annual Tuition | $60,220 | $57,500 |
The Verdict
Choose Notre Dame Mendoza if…
you want a top-30 Catholic MBA with Notre Dame's globally recognizable brand and tight alumni network in finance and consulting.
Full Notre Dame Mendoza Profile →Choose Boston College Carroll if…
you want a Boston-area Jesuit MBA with strong New England financial services and biotech access, smaller class, and the BC alumni network.
Full Boston College Carroll Profile →Why People Compare These Two
Mendoza (#29) and Carroll (#49) are both Catholic university MBA programs with values-driven business education. Mendoza outranks Carroll by 20 spots and carries the stronger national brand. Carroll wins on Boston-area employer access. Both programs attract candidates who want a tight community and a faith-informed business education.
Brand and Recruiting
Notre Dame's brand pulls recruiters who don't visit comparable mid-tier programs. The football-driven national visibility translates into alumni in senior roles across consulting, finance, and corporate America. Carroll benefits from BC's broader university brand and proximity to the Boston biotech, asset management, and consulting ecosystem (Bain, Wellington, State Street, Vertex). The Boston advantage is real for local careers but doesn't carry as far nationally.
The Honest Take
For most career goals, take Mendoza. The brand premium, ranking, and Notre Dame alumni density create more career optionality. Carroll is the better call if you want to be in Boston specifically, target New England biotech or asset management, or value a Jesuit-flavored community over a Catholic one. Compare scholarship packages, since Mendoza's tuition runs higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which alumni network is stronger?
Notre Dame's alumni network is among the most loyal of any university. Mendoza taps into that asset directly. BC has a strong Northeast network, particularly in Boston financial services. The networks serve different markets.
Which is better for Boston careers?
Boston College Carroll. Direct access to Boston employers, professors with current industry ties, and an alumni network concentrated in New England. Mendoza places into Boston but at a fraction of Carroll's local density.
Which has stronger consulting placement?
Mendoza has higher consulting placement nationally, including better MBB representation. Carroll places strongly into Northeast consulting and Big Four advisory, but with a more regional footprint.