Columbia MBA vs. Cornell MBA vs. NYU Stern MBA (Class Profile Analysis) (2026 Class)

In this in-depth class profile comparison of Investment Banking and Finance MBA powerhouses – Columbia, Cornell, and NYU Stern MBA, we cover:

•    Class Size
•    Work Experience
•    GMAT and GPA
•    GRE
•    Gender Representation
•    International Students
•    Undergraduate Majors
•    Pre-MBA Industry

Class Profile

Columbia boasts the largest class size, with 972 students enrolled, reflecting its capacity to cater to a broad range of students. NYU Stern follows with 352 students, maintaining a balance between exclusivity and diversity. Cornell, with only 282 enrolled students, fosters a more intimate and tight-knit class. While Columbia received 7,487 applications - significantly higher than NYU Stern’s 4,550, do remember that Columbia has two entries – January and August. Cornell’s application numbers were not disclosed, making direct comparisons challenging.

Work Experience

All three programs have similar averages for work experience, with Columbia and Stern reporting 5 years and Cornell slightly higher at 5.4 years. 

GMAT and GPA

Academically, Stern leads slightly with a median GMAT score of 733, closely followed by Columbia at 732, while Cornell's 710 reflects a broader acceptance range. Stern also edges out Columbia with a median GPA of 3.64 compared to Columbia’s 3.6, while Cornell’s 3.4 GPA indicates relatively lenient admissions criteria where work experience is prioritized.

GRE Scores

Both Columbia and Stern provide insights into GRE scores, with Stern reporting higher median verbal and quantitative scores (164/164) compared to Columbia’s 162/162. Cornell does not disclose GRE scores.

Gender Representation

NYU Stern stands out for its representation of women, with 47% of the class being female, reflecting its commitment to gender balance. Columbia follows with 44%, while Cornell, at 41%, still maintains strong female representation. 

International Students

International student diversity is another highlight for Columbia, with 46% of its class from outside the U.S., slightly higher than Stern’s 40% and significantly more than Cornell’s 35%.

Final Take

Overall, Columbia emerges as a leader in scale and global diversity, making it a prime choice for candidates seeking a large, internationally focused program. Stern, with its stellar academic credentials and commitment to gender balance, appeals to those valuing academic rigor and inclusivity. Cornell’s smaller class size and slightly lower academic benchmarks suggest a program that fosters close-knit connections and values holistic candidate evaluation. 

Undergraduate Majors

Business/Economics: 50% Targets

Columbia and NYU Stern both stand out for their high representation of students with undergraduate degrees in Business or Economics. Columbia leads slightly with 48%, closely followed by NYU Stern at 50%. This suggests that both schools attract candidates with a strong foundation in business or economic theory, positioning them for more traditional Finance, Consulting, and Entrepreneurial roles post-MBA. 

Humanities/Social Sciences: NYU Stern Leads

NYU Stern has a notable representation of students from Humanities/Social Science backgrounds, with 27%, which is considerably higher than Columbia’s 19%. This indicates that Stern may be more inclined to admit students with diverse academic backgrounds, encouraging a mix of perspectives in the classroom. 

STEM: Columbia Leads 

Columbia’s strong STEM representation (30%) demonstrates its appeal to candidates with technical backgrounds who may wish to leverage the MBA for leadership roles in technology, consulting, and operations or career switchers with strong analytical skills entering Finance. 

The STEM cohort at NYU Stern, at 23%, is also significant, though slightly lower. This indicates that Stern attracts a more balanced range of candidates, including those with a greater interest in non-technical fields. 

Cornell’s representation in these categories was not disclosed.

Final Take

Overall, Columbia and NYU Stern display a notable focus on Business/Economics as the predominant undergraduate background, but with differing emphasis on other disciplines. Columbia’s class is relatively more STEM-focused, while Stern’s class includes a relatively higher proportion of students from Humanities/Social Science.

Pre-MBA Industry

Consulting: The Undisputed Leaders

Consulting is a prominent industry across the three schools, with Columbia standing out at 25%, followed by NYU Stern at 19%. This suggests that Columbia continues to be a preferred destination for candidates with prior Consulting experience, which aligns with the school’s ties to top Consulting firms. NYU Stern’s 19% indicates a strong but slightly lesser inclination toward Consulting, reflecting the school’s broader appeal to various industries beyond just Consulting. 

The 35-45% entering consulting post-MBA over the recent years is a reflection of a large percentage of career switchers prioritizing Consulting, even in schools that are considered a strong Finance school.

Technology: IMPACT of Stern Tech MBA

While Columbia leads with 13% of its class coming from a Technology background, NYU Stern lags behind with 10%. Part of the reason could be the cannibalization of the applicant pool with NYU Stern’s Tech MBA. 

Financial Services

Columbia dominates in the financial services industry, with 30% of its class coming from this background, compared to Stern’s 22%. Both schools have a strong presence in finance, but Columbia’s percentage underscores its role as a financial powerhouse.

The IB schools are also targeted by career switchers from Technology and Techno-finance roles.

Related: 
•    Find the Consulting, Technology and Financial Services placement trends (Columbia)(3 Years)
•    Find the Consulting, Technology and Financial Services placement trends (NYU Stern)(3 Years)
•    Find the Consulting, Technology and Financial Services placement trends (Cornell)(3 Years)

Healthcare

Both schools show a relatively low percentage of candidates from healthcare (5% for each), indicating that while the healthcare sector is important, it’s not a major draw for these programs.

Government/Non-Profit

NYU Stern stands out with 11% of its class from government and non-profit sectors, whereas Columbia has only 6%.

CPG/Retail/E-commerce: Stern’s Edge in Consumer Goods

Stern again has the upper hand in CPG, retail, and e-commerce with 6%, compared to Columbia’s 3%.

Other Sectors: Columbia’s Broader Appeal

In energy, Columbia outpaces Stern, with 2% compared to Stern’s 1%. Columbia also leads in marketing/media (10% vs. Stern’s 5%), showcasing its broader appeal in sectors like media and energy. Strangely, NYU Stern has a larger cohort entering the Media industry post-MBA while most of the cohort entering Columbia joined the program with the goal of switching industries 

Final Take

Overall, Columbia and NYU Stern have overlapping industry backgrounds but with distinct motivations for career enhancement and career switching. 

Columbia dominates in Finance, Consulting, and Technology representation, while Stern leans more toward Government, Non-Profit, and Consumer Goods. 

Healthcare: Small but Steady Representation

Healthcare professionals comprise a modest portion of each class, with Kellogg leading at 7%, followed by MIT Sloan at 6%, and Booth at 5%. These numbers suggest steady but niche representation for candidates seeking to blend business acumen with healthcare expertise.

Government/Non-Profit: Diverse Appeal

MIT Sloan and Booth attract significantly more candidates from government and non-profit sectors, with 10% and 11%, respectively. In contrast, Kellogg’s 2% representation in this category suggests a lower focus on candidates from public service backgrounds.

Smaller Industries: Unique Trends

Media/Entertainment has a higher presence at Kellogg (5%) compared to MIT Sloan (2%), while Booth does not report representation from this sector. Similarly, military professionals make up 3% of Kellogg’s class but are not explicitly represented in the data for MIT Sloan or Booth. Energy and Manufacturing remain minor contributors across all three programs, with no school exceeding 2%.

Final Take

Overall, Kellogg's strength lies in its high consulting representation and diverse intake from sectors like media/entertainment and military, reflecting its focus on well-rounded leadership. MIT Sloan balances consulting and financial services with a strong tech orientation and notable representation from government and non-profits. Booth stands out for its financial services focus and steady intake from traditional business sectors. 
 

Related Downloads

• F1GMAT's Columbia MBA Essay Guide
• F1GMAT's NYU Stern MBA Essay Guide