Darden and GSB are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. GSB holds a stronger US News ranking. GSB reports a higher median base salary. Darden offers lower annual tuition, and Darden delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Darden is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Darden | GSB |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #112026 | #12026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #12024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #202025 | #22025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #182025 | #42025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,200 | $82,455 |
| Median Base Salary | $178,000 | $197,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 516% | 497% |
| Class Size | 350 | 436 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0% | 6.1% |
| Median GMAT | 718 | 738 |
| 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.
Stanford Graduate School of Business is the most selective MBA program globally, with an acceptance rate below 7%. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, GSB is the top choice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Its small class size fosters deep relationships and personalized education.
GSB is a top M7 program; Darden is a highly ranked T15 school. GSB 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 6.1% for GSB.
Darden reports a median base salary of $178,000, while GSB reports $197,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Darden annual tuition is $72,200 and GSB is $82,455. Darden offers a 10,255 lower annual cost.
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