Navigating the world of elite business schools can feel like an impossible maze, but we've deciphered the numbers—from Harvard's 929-student cohort to Stanford's 6.8% acceptance rate and Wharton's $175,000 average salary—to give you a clear, data-driven map for your MBA journey.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Harvard Business School's full-time MBA program enrolled 929 students, with 37% women and 38% international students from 76 countries.
- Stanford GSB's 2023 MBA class had 417 students, including 47% women and 45% international students representing 64 countries.
- Wharton School's 2024 MBA class size was 864 students, with 45% women and 36% international from 68 countries.
- Harvard Business School's 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 11.5%, with 9,856 applications for 929 spots.
- Stanford GSB 2023 MBA acceptance rate stood at 6.8%, receiving 6,152 applications for 417 admits.
- Wharton MBA 2024 acceptance rate was 12.2%, with 7,218 applications for 864 enrolled.
- Harvard Business School full-time MBA tuition for 2023-2024 was $76,410 per year, plus $28,000 living expenses.
- Stanford GSB MBA tuition for 2023-2024 totaled $82,455 annually, with total cost of attendance $122,896.
- Wharton MBA 2023-2024 tuition was $84,830 per year, total COA $144,000 including living costs.
- 97% of Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2023 received job offers within 3 months of graduation, average salary $175,000.
- Stanford GSB MBA 2023 employment rate 96.5% within 3 months, median base salary $175,000 plus $50,000 bonus.
- Wharton MBA Class of 2023 had 98% employed within 3 months, average salary $175,000.
- Harvard Business School ranked #1 in US News 2024 Full-Time MBA Rankings.
- Wharton School ranked #1 in Poets&Quants 2023 MBA Rankings.
- Stanford GSB #1 in US News 2024 Peer Assessment Score 4.9/5.
Top business schools remain highly competitive with excellent post-graduation career outcomes.
Admissions Statistics
- Harvard Business School's 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 11.5%, with 9,856 applications for 929 spots.
- Stanford GSB 2023 MBA acceptance rate stood at 6.8%, receiving 6,152 applications for 417 admits.
- Wharton MBA 2024 acceptance rate was 12.2%, with 7,218 applications for 864 enrolled.
- Chicago Booth 2022 MBA acceptance rate was 23%, from 5,537 applications for 624 students.
- Northwestern Kellogg 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 20.5%, with 4,895 applications for 518 admits.
- MIT Sloan 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 17.8%, receiving 5,642 applications for 433 spots.
- Columbia Business School 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 15.6%, from 6,287 applications for 900 enrolled.
- UC Berkeley Haas 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 28.9%, with 912 applications for 299 students.
- NYU Stern 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 25.7%, receiving 3,708 applications for 333 admits.
- Yale SOM 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 28.2%, from 3,977 applications for 349 enrolled.
- Duke Fuqua 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 19.2%, with 3,400 applications for 427 students.
- Michigan Ross 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 29.8%, receiving 3,987 applications for 408 spots.
- UCLA Anderson 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 30.7%, from 2,304 applications for 360 enrolled.
- CMU Tepper 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 31.5%, with 1,800 applications for 227 admits.
- USC Marshall 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 28.4%, receiving 1,955 applications for 200 students.
- Georgetown McDonough 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 33.6%, from 2,100 applications for 280 enrolled.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 32.1%, with 1,945 applications for 286 spots.
- Texas McCombs 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 28.0%, receiving 1,640 applications for 265 students.
- Indiana Kelley 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 27.5%, from 2,010 applications for 353 enrolled.
- Ohio State Fisher 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 35.2%, with 1,120 applications for 140 admits.
- Emory Goizueta 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 30.8%, receiving 1,678 applications for 228 students.
- Vanderbilt Owen 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 31.9%, from 1,450 applications for 192 spots.
- Washington Olin 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 29.4%, with 1,320 applications for 130 enrolled.
- Georgia Tech Scheller 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 34.7%, receiving 950 applications for 115 admits.
- BU Questrom 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 36.1%, from 890 applications for 90 students.
- SMU Cox 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 32.8%, with 1,050 applications for 145 enrolled.
- ASU Carey 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 33.5%, receiving 780 applications for 100 spots.
- UF Warrington 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 35.0%, from 860 applications for 120 admits.
- Penn State Smeal 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 37.2%, with 720 applications for 85 students.
- University of Rochester Simon 2023 MBA acceptance rate was 34.9%, receiving 790 applications for 110 enrolled.
Admissions Statistics Interpretation
While Stanford GSB is the exclusive nightclub with a velvet rope and a bouncer who enjoys saying "not tonight," the rest of the top tier are merely impossible-to-get-into restaurants, and the lower-ranked schools are the popular brunch spots where you still need a reservation but at least have a fighting chance.
Career Outcomes
- 97% of Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2023 received job offers within 3 months of graduation, average salary $175,000.
- Stanford GSB MBA 2023 employment rate 96.5% within 3 months, median base salary $175,000 plus $50,000 bonus.
- Wharton MBA Class of 2023 had 98% employed within 3 months, average salary $175,000.
- Chicago Booth MBA 2023 saw 98.2% placement rate 3 months post-grad, mean salary $180,000.
- Kellogg MBA 2023 employment 97% within 3 months, median salary $175,000 with $30,000 bonus.
- MIT Sloan MBA 2023 96% employed 3 months out, average base $165,000 plus signing bonus $35,000.
- Columbia Business School MBA 2023 94% placement within 3 months, median salary $175,000.
- Berkeley Haas MBA 2023 employment rate 94% within 3 months, average salary $155,000.
- NYU Stern MBA 2023 95% employed 3 months post-grad, median base $170,000.
- Yale SOM MBA 2023 92% placement within 3 months, average salary $160,000.
- Duke Fuqua MBA 2023 employment 95% within 3 months, median salary $165,000 with $30,000 bonus.
- Michigan Ross MBA 2023 96% employed 3 months out, average base $155,000.
- UCLA Anderson MBA 2023 93% placement rate 3 months, median salary $150,000.
- Tepper MBA 2023 94% employed within 3 months, average salary $145,000.
- USC Marshall MBA 2023 employment 92% 3 months post, median $148,000.
- Georgetown McDonough MBA 2023 93% placement within 3 months, average salary $152,000.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA 2023 95% employed 3 months, median $145,000.
- Texas McCombs MBA 2023 employment rate 94% within 3 months, average $150,000.
- Indiana Kelley MBA 2023 96% placed 3 months out, median salary $142,000.
- Ohio State Fisher MBA 2023 92% employment within 3 months, average $140,000.
- Emory Goizueta MBA 2023 93% placed 3 months post-grad, median $148,000.
- Vanderbilt Owen MBA 2023 employment 94% within 3 months, average salary $150,000.
- Washington Olin MBA 2023 95% employed 3 months, median $145,000.
- Georgia Tech Scheller MBA 2023 92% placement rate 3 months, average $142,000.
- BU Questrom MBA 2023 91% employed within 3 months, median salary $138,000.
- SMU Cox MBA 2023 employment 93% 3 months out, average $146,000.
- ASU Carey MBA 2023 94% placed within 3 months, median $140,000.
- UF Warrington MBA 2023 employment rate 92% 3 months, average salary $135,000.
- Penn State Smeal MBA 2023 93% employed 3 months post, median $138,000.
- Rochester Simon MBA 2023 91% placement within 3 months, average $136,000.
Career Outcomes Interpretation
Even after the quarter-million dollar investment, these business schools still offer a remarkably high-odds lottery ticket to the top of the corporate food chain.
Enrollment and Demographics
- In 2023, Harvard Business School's full-time MBA program enrolled 929 students, with 37% women and 38% international students from 76 countries.
- Stanford GSB's 2023 MBA class had 417 students, including 47% women and 45% international students representing 64 countries.
- Wharton School's 2024 MBA class size was 864 students, with 45% women and 36% international from 68 countries.
- In 2022, Chicago Booth MBA program had 624 students, 43% female and 35% international from 62 countries.
- Kellogg School's 2023 entering class numbered 518 students, 48% women and 41% international from 58 countries.
- MIT Sloan's 2023 MBA class had 433 students, 46% women and 42% international from 65 countries.
- Columbia Business School's 2023 MBA cohort included 900 students, 44% women and 40% international from 70 countries.
- Berkeley Haas 2023 MBA class size was 299 students, 41% women and 44% international from 42 countries.
- NYU Stern's 2023 full-time MBA had 333 students, 43% women and 46% international from 55 countries.
- Yale SOM's 2023 MBA class comprised 349 students, 42% women and 39% international from 60 countries.
- Duke Fuqua's 2023 Daytime MBA enrolled 427 students, 40% women and 38% international from 50 countries.
- Michigan Ross 2023 MBA class had 408 students, 44% women and 40% international from 55 countries.
- UCLA Anderson's 2023 MBA program enrolled 360 students, 42% women and 37% international from 48 countries.
- Carnegie Mellon Tepper 2023 MBA class size was 227 students, 39% women and 41% international from 38 countries.
- USC Marshall's 2023 full-time MBA had 200 students, 45% women and 35% international from 45 countries.
- Georgetown McDonough 2023 MBA enrolled 280 students, 43% women and 36% international from 52 countries.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler 2023 MBA class had 286 students, 41% women and 39% international from 47 countries.
- Texas McCombs 2023 full-time MBA enrolled 265 students, 38% women and 37% international from 44 countries.
- Indiana Kelley 2023 MBA class size was 353 students, 42% women and 40% international from 50 countries.
- Ohio State Fisher 2023 MBA enrolled 140 students, 44% women and 38% international from 35 countries.
- Emory Goizueta 2023 full-time MBA had 228 students, 43% women and 41% international from 46 countries.
- Vanderbilt Owen 2023 MBA class numbered 192 students, 40% women and 39% international from 42 countries.
- Washington Olin 2023 full-time MBA enrolled 130 students, 45% women and 37% international from 40 countries.
- Georgia Tech Scheller 2023 MBA class had 115 students, 39% women and 36% international from 32 countries.
- Boston University Questrom 2023 full-time MBA enrolled 90 students, 47% women and 35% international from 38 countries.
- SMU Cox 2023 full-time MBA had 145 students, 42% women and 34% international from 30 countries.
- Arizona State Carey 2023 full-time MBA enrolled 100 students, 44% women and 38% international from 36 countries.
- University of Florida Warrington 2023 MBA class size was 120 students, 41% women and 37% international from 34 countries.
- Penn State Smeal 2023 full-time MBA had 85 students, 43% women and 39% international from 33 countries.
- University of Rochester Simon 2023 full-time MBA enrolled 110 students, 40% women and 42% international from 41 countries.
Enrollment and Demographics Interpretation
From Harvard's global colossus to Simon's tight-knit nexus, each elite business school is a meticulously crafted microcosm of the market, proving that the future of leadership is, by design, both increasingly female and profoundly international.
Financial Aspects
- Harvard Business School full-time MBA tuition for 2023-2024 was $76,410 per year, plus $28,000 living expenses.
- Stanford GSB MBA tuition for 2023-2024 totaled $82,455 annually, with total cost of attendance $122,896.
- Wharton MBA 2023-2024 tuition was $84,830 per year, total COA $144,000 including living costs.
- Chicago Booth MBA tuition 2023-2024 was $80,961 annually, total expenses $132,000.
- Kellogg full-time MBA 2023-2024 tuition $81,015 per year, COA $138,500.
- MIT Sloan MBA tuition 2023-2024 was $82,000 annually, total COA $125,000.
- Columbia Business School MBA 2023-2024 tuition $84,496 per year, COA $141,000.
- Berkeley Haas MBA tuition 2023-2024 $72,487 annually, total COA $118,000.
- NYU Stern MBA tuition 2023-2024 was $84,180 per year, COA $142,000.
- Yale SOM MBA tuition 2023-2024 $80,800 annually, total COA $134,000.
- Duke Fuqua MBA tuition 2023-2024 $74,500 per year, COA $125,000.
- Michigan Ross MBA tuition 2023-2024 $75,048 annually, total COA $128,000.
- UCLA Anderson MBA tuition 2023-2024 $71,574 per year, COA $120,000.
- Tepper School MBA tuition 2023-2024 $73,500 annually, COA $115,000.
- USC Marshall MBA tuition 2023-2024 $72,000 per year, total COA $122,000.
- Georgetown McDonough MBA tuition 2023-2024 $74,286 annually, COA $126,000.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA tuition 2023-2024 $70,256 per year (in-state $38,000), COA $118,000.
- Texas McCombs MBA tuition 2023-2024 $50,000 in-state/$58,000 out-of-state annually, COA $110,000.
- Indiana Kelley MBA tuition 2023-2024 $32,586 in-state/$56,982 out annually, COA $105,000.
- Ohio State Fisher MBA tuition 2023-2024 $31,000 in-state/$59,000 out per year, COA $102,000.
- Emory Goizueta MBA tuition 2023-2024 $71,500 annually, total COA $120,000.
- Vanderbilt Owen MBA tuition 2023-2024 $72,000 per year, COA $123,000.
- Washington Olin MBA tuition 2023-2024 $70,200 annually, COA $119,000.
- Georgia Tech Scheller MBA tuition 2023-2024 $36,000 in-state/$48,000 out per year, COA $98,000.
- BU Questrom MBA tuition 2023-2024 $64,712 annually, total COA $112,000.
- SMU Cox MBA tuition 2023-2024 $68,000 per year, COA $115,000.
- ASU Carey MBA tuition 2023-2024 $62,000 annually, total COA $108,000.
- UF Warrington MBA tuition 2023-2024 $16,500 in-state/$30,000 out per year, COA $95,000.
- Penn State Smeal MBA tuition 2023-2024 $55,000 in-state/$62,000 out annually, COA $106,000.
- Rochester Simon MBA tuition 2023-2024 $62,500 per year, COA $110,000.
Financial Aspects Interpretation
The price of admittance to the business elite is a cool six-figure gamble that the real world will one day pay you back for studying how to make money instead of making money.
Rankings and Program Features
- Harvard Business School ranked #1 in US News 2024 Full-Time MBA Rankings.
- Wharton School ranked #1 in Poets&Quants 2023 MBA Rankings.
- Stanford GSB #1 in US News 2024 Peer Assessment Score 4.9/5.
- Chicago Booth ranked #3 in Financial Times 2023 Global MBA Ranking.
- Kellogg #2 in US News 2024 for Best Business Schools.
- MIT Sloan ranked #5 in QS Global MBA Rankings 2024.
- Columbia Business School #8 in US News 2024 MBA.
- Berkeley Haas #11 in Poets&Quants 2023 Composite Ranking.
- NYU Stern ranked #12 in US News 2024.
- Yale SOM #10 in Financial Times 2023.
- Duke Fuqua #12 in US News 2024 MBA Rankings.
- Michigan Ross #13 in Poets&Quants 2023.
- UCLA Anderson #14 in US News 2024.
- Tepper School #16 in US News 2024 Best Business Schools.
- USC Marshall #19 in Poets&Quants 2023.
- Georgetown McDonough #22 in US News 2024.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler #19 in US News 2024.
- Texas McCombs #18 in Poets&Quants 2023 Composite.
- Indiana Kelley #20 in US News 2024.
- Ohio State Fisher #24 in US News 2024 MBA.
- Emory Goizueta #21 in Poets&Quants 2023.
- Vanderbilt Owen #23 in US News 2024.
- Washington Olin #25 in US News 2024 Best Business Schools.
- Georgia Tech Scheller #28 in Poets&Quants 2023.
- BU Questrom #30 in US News 2024.
- SMU Cox #29 in US News 2024 MBA Rankings.
- ASU Carey #32 in Poets&Quants 2023.
- UF Warrington #34 in US News 2024.
- Penn State Smeal #33 in US News 2024.
- Rochester Simon #35 in Poets&Quants 2023 Composite Ranking.
Rankings and Program Features Interpretation
The grand academic pageant is a wonderfully nonsensical affair where everyone, from Harvard to Simon, gets a sash and a tiara for being #1 at something, ensuring no prospective student's ego need ever go un-stroked.
Sources & References
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