NYU Stern vs Georgetown McDonough
Which MBA program is right for you?
NYU Stern
Georgetown McDonough
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | NYU Stern | Georgetown McDonough |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #10 | #20 |
| Acceptance Rate | 23% | 35% |
| Avg. GMAT | 723 | 700 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.55 | 3.4 |
| Class Size | 400 | 260 |
| Avg. Salary | $170,000 | $155,000 |
| Employment Rate | 93% | 91% |
| Annual Tuition | $76,780 | $62,784 |
The Verdict
Choose NYU Stern if…
you want NYC, finance or media careers, and a higher-ranked program.
Full NYU Stern Profile →Choose Georgetown McDonough if…
you want DC, government or international business, and a more intimate community.
Full Georgetown McDonough Profile →Why People Compare These Two
Stern and McDonough serve two of America's most important business cities: New York and Washington. Stern is the finance and media school. McDonough is the government and international business school. The comparison is geographic and career-specific: where do you want to work, and which industry ecosystem do you want to be near?
The Honest Take
If your career involves finance, media, or NYC-based business, Stern's higher ranking and Greenwich Village location are clear advantages. If your career involves government, international development, or DC-based consulting, McDonough's proximity to the White House, World Bank, and K Street is unmatched. The schools serve different markets with limited overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NYU Stern or Georgetown better for finance?
Stern places 30% into finance vs McDonough's 12%. Stern's NYC location and Wall Street proximity give it a decisive advantage for finance careers.
Is Georgetown better for government careers?
Yes. McDonough places 15% into government and international development. Stern places virtually zero into government. For government, policy, and international development careers, McDonough has no peer among top-25 MBA programs.