Darden and Fuqua 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. Darden offers lower annual tuition, and Darden delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. Fuqua is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Darden | Fuqua |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #112026 | #142026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #112024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #202025 | #182025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #182025 | #192025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,200 | $72,800 |
| Median Base Salary | $178,000 | $175,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 516% | 501% |
| Class Size | 350 | 440 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0% | 22.5% |
| Median GMAT | 718 | 719 |
| 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.
Duke Fuqua emphasizes leadership through its "Team Fuqua" culture. The school is known for its collaborative environment, strong healthcare and consulting placements, and global business curriculum. Fuqua's COLE (Cross Continent) program offers international immersion experiences.
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.
Fuqua is more selective with a 22.5% acceptance rate, compared to 24.0% for Darden.
Darden reports a median base salary of $178,000, while Fuqua reports $175,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Darden annual tuition is $72,200 and Fuqua is $72,800. Darden offers a 600 lower annual cost.
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