Darden and Tuck are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Tuck holds a stronger US News ranking. Tuck reports a higher median base salary. Darden offers lower annual tuition, and Darden delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Tuck is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Darden | Tuck |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #112026 | #92026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #102024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #202025 | #162025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #182025 | #142025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,200 | $77,520 |
| Median Base Salary | $178,000 | $182,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 516% | 487% |
| Class Size | 350 | 291 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0% | 21.5% |
| Median GMAT | 718 | 724 |
| 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.
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth is known for having the strongest alumni network per capita of any business school. Its small, close-knit community in Hanover fosters deep connections. Tuck specializes in general management and produces leaders who value collaboration and integrity.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Tuck 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.
Tuck is more selective with a 21.5% acceptance rate, compared to 24.0% for Darden.
Darden reports a median base salary of $178,000, while Tuck reports $182,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Darden annual tuition is $72,200 and Tuck is $77,520. Darden offers a 5,320 lower annual cost.
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