Anderson and Darden are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Darden holds a stronger US News ranking. Darden reports a higher median base salary. Anderson offers lower annual tuition, and Anderson delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Darden is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Anderson | Darden |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #182026 | #112026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #162024 | #92024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #242025 | #202025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #112025 | #182025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $65,049 | $72,200 |
| Median Base Salary | $172,000 | $178,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 561% | 516% |
| Class Size | 360 | 350 |
| Acceptance Rate | 25.0% | 24.0% |
| Median GMAT | 714 | 718 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
UCLA Anderson is a top choice for those looking to work in entertainment, real estate, and tech on the West Coast. Known for its entrepreneurial culture and strong alumni ties in Los Angeles, Anderson offers a high ROI given its public school tuition.
Darden School of Business at UVA is known for its case-method teaching, second only to Harvard in case study usage. Darden students experience an immersive, discussion-based classroom environment. The school has strong placement in consulting, finance, and general management.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Darden ranks higher in US News, but Anderson delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 561%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Darden is more selective with a 24.0% acceptance rate, compared to 25.0% for Anderson.
Anderson reports a median base salary of $172,000, while Darden reports $178,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Anderson annual tuition is $65,049 and Darden is $72,200. Anderson offers a 7,151 lower annual cost.
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