Darden and Wharton are two of the most competitive MBA programs in the country, but they differ in key areas. Wharton holds a stronger US News ranking. Wharton reports a higher median base salary. Darden offers lower annual tuition, and Wharton delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Wharton is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Darden | Wharton |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #112026 | #22026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #22024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #202025 | #32025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #182025 | #22025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,200 | $84,830 |
| Median Base Salary | $178,000 | $248,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 516% | 631% |
| Class Size | 350 | 918 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0% | 19.2% |
| Median GMAT | 718 | 733 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Keep Comparing
Want context on the metrics above? These guides break down how to read the numbers — rankings methodology, salary distributions, and ROI math.
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 Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Known for its rigorous finance curriculum and extensive alumni network, Wharton consistently ranks at the top of MBA rankings. The school offers unparalleled access to Wall Street and a collaborative learning environment.
Wharton is a top M7 program; Darden is a highly ranked T15 school. Wharton ranks higher in US News, but Wharton delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 631%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
Wharton is more selective with a 19.2% acceptance rate, compared to 24.0% for Darden.
Darden reports a median base salary of $178,000, while Wharton reports $248,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Darden annual tuition is $72,200 and Wharton is $84,830. Darden offers a 12,630 lower annual cost.
Now see where you rank against these programs
Plug in your GPA, GMAT, and experience to get a live 0–100 competitiveness score.
Tuition and median salary tell half the story. Our ROI calculator shows your personal payback period in 30 seconds — with your actual pre-MBA salary.
Calculate My ROI → No thanks, I’m done comparingRankings updates, salary benchmarks, and admissions insights — free, every week.
No thanks