Darden and Owen 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. Owen offers lower annual tuition, and Darden delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Darden is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Darden | Owen |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #112026 | #352026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #472024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #202025 | — |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #182025 | — |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,200 | $70,728 |
| Median Base Salary | $178,000 | $148,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 516% | 423% |
| Class Size | 350 | 185 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0% | 38.0% |
| Median GMAT | 718 | 668 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
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.
The Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University is the Southeast's most research-intensive MBA program. Located in Nashville—one of America's fastest-growing cities—Owen offers exceptional access to healthcare, music/entertainment, and technology industries. Known for its collegial culture and strong consulting placement, Owen's small, selective program produces alumni who consistently outperform expectations relative to the school's ranking.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Darden ranks higher in US News, but Darden delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 516%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Darden is more selective with a 24.0% acceptance rate, compared to 38.0% for Owen.
Darden reports a median base salary of $178,000, while Owen reports $148,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Darden annual tuition is $72,200 and Owen is $70,728. Owen offers a 1,472 lower annual cost.
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