As application numbers at top business schools surge, with Harvard seeing a 13% spike in candidates this past year, understanding the precise statistics on acceptance rates, test scores, and post-MBA outcomes is more crucial than ever for crafting a successful MBA admissions strategy.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2023 admissions cycle, Harvard Business School received 9,856 applications for its MBA Class of 2026, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.
- Wharton School saw 7,256 applications for its MBA Class of 2026, up 5% from 2022.
- Stanford GSB received 6,152 applications for the Class of 2026 MBA program.
- For the Class of 2025, HBS acceptance rate was 11.5% with 930 admits from 8,149 applications.
- Wharton MBA Class of 2025 had a 19% acceptance rate, admitting 864 from 4,584 applications.
- Stanford GSB Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 6.3%, with 419 admits from 6,626 applications.
- Average GMAT score for Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2026 was 740.
- Median GMAT for Wharton MBA Class of 2026 was 740, with a range of 640-790.
- Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2026 average GMAT score was 738.
- Average age of MBA admits at top 10 US schools is 28 years with 5.5 years work experience.
- Women comprise 45% of the Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2026.
- International students make up 37% of Wharton MBA Class of 2026.
- HBS MBA graduates 2023 median base salary: $175,000.
- Wharton MBA Class of 2023 median salary: $175,000, with 98.6% employed 3 months post-grad.
- Stanford GSB Class of 2023 median base salary: $182,500, 97% employed.
Top business schools are experiencing a surge in applications, with MBA admissions remaining highly competitive.
Acceptance and Yield Rates
- For the Class of 2025, HBS acceptance rate was 11.5% with 930 admits from 8,149 applications.
- Wharton MBA Class of 2025 had a 19% acceptance rate, admitting 864 from 4,584 applications.
- Stanford GSB Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 6.3%, with 419 admits from 6,626 applications.
- Chicago Booth Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate stood at 23%, with 624 admits from 2,709 applications.
- NYU Stern MBA Class of 2025 had an 26% acceptance rate, admitting 320 from 1,221 applications.
- Columbia Business School Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 16.1%, with 576 admits from 3,570 applications.
- MIT Sloan Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 17.8%, admitting 580 from 3,260 applications.
- Northwestern Kellogg Two-Year MBA Class of 2025 had a 29.7% acceptance rate, with 503 admits from 1,692 applications.
- Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 27%, admitting 288 from 1,065 applications.
- Yale SOM MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate stood at 28.2%, with 349 admits from 1,236 applications.
- Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA Class of 2025 had a 19% acceptance rate, admitting 370 from 1,944 applications.
- Dartmouth Tuck Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 29.3%, with 319 admits from 1,089 applications.
- UVA Darden Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 35%, admitting 353 from 1,008 applications.
- Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2025 had a 28.9% acceptance rate, with 390 admits from 1,349 applications.
- Tepper School of Business MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 28.3%, admitting 158 from 559 applications.
- USC Marshall Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 had a 30.2% acceptance rate.
- Georgetown McDonough Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 33.4%.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate stood at 45%.
- INSEAD MBA Class of 2025 had a 29% acceptance rate globally.
- LBS MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 23%, admitting 600 students.
- HEC Paris MBA Class of 2025 acceptance rate was 24%.
- IESE International MBA acceptance rate for 2025 was 32%.
- SDA Bocconi Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 had a 28% acceptance rate.
- IMD MBA acceptance rate for January 2025 intake was 25%.
- RSM International Full-time MBA acceptance rate was 40% in 2023.
- Mannheim Full-Time MBA acceptance rate stood at 35% for 2023.
- ESMT Berlin Full-Time MBA acceptance rate was 38% for Class of 2026.
- Cambridge Judge MBA acceptance rate was 33% in 2023.
- HBS MBA Class of 2026 yield rate was 89%, with 930 enrolled from 1,043 offers.
Acceptance and Yield Rates Interpretation
Looking at this data, it appears Stanford GSB is meticulously building an elite cathedral from a massive block of marble, while other top schools are constructing equally grand but slightly more accessible fortresses, all while facing a very competitive, and sometimes surprisingly large, applicant pool at their gates.
Applicant Demographics
- Average age of MBA admits at top 10 US schools is 28 years with 5.5 years work experience.
- Women comprise 45% of the Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2026.
- International students make up 37% of Wharton MBA Class of 2026.
- Stanford GSB Class of 2026 has 47% women and 45% international students.
- Chicago Booth Class of 2026: 48% women, 35% international.
- NYU Stern Class of 2026 features 46% women and 42% international students.
- Columbia Business School Class of 2026: 44% women, 40% international.
- MIT Sloan Class of 2026 has 46% women and 38% international students.
- Kellogg Class of 2026: 49% women, 39% international.
- Berkeley Haas Class of 2026: 44% women, 49% international.
- Yale SOM Class of 2026: 48% women, 42% international students.
- Duke Fuqua Class of 2026: 43% women, 41% international.
- Dartmouth Tuck Class of 2026: 44% women, 38% international.
- UVA Darden Class of 2026: 42% women, 36% international.
- Michigan Ross Class of 2026: 45% women, 37% international.
- Underrepresented minorities (U.S. Black, Hispanic, Native American) represent 20% at Tepper Class of 2026.
- Average work experience for HBS Class of 2026 is 5 years.
- Wharton Class of 2026 average pre-MBA work experience: 5.3 years.
- Stanford GSB admits average 4.9 years of work experience.
- Booth students average 5.6 years work experience.
- Global survey by GMAC: 40% of MBA students are women in 2023.
- 34% of full-time MBA enrollees are international in top programs per Poets&Quants.
- Undergrad majors: 32% business/econ, 22% STEM at top MBAs.
- Average age at INSEAD MBA is 29 years.
- LBS MBA class: 90 nationalities, 37% women.
- HEC Paris MBA: 95% international, average 6 years experience.
Applicant Demographics Interpretation
Modern business schools have constructed remarkably diverse tribes of late-twentysomethings with five years of real-world seasoning, proving that the future of leadership is no longer a monologue but a sophisticated global conversation.
Applicant Numbers and Trends
- In the 2023 admissions cycle, Harvard Business School received 9,856 applications for its MBA Class of 2026, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.
- Wharton School saw 7,256 applications for its MBA Class of 2026, up 5% from 2022.
- Stanford GSB received 6,152 applications for the Class of 2026 MBA program.
- Chicago Booth had 5,899 applications for its Full-Time MBA Class of 2026.
- NYU Stern reported 4,623 applications for the MBA Class of 2026.
- Columbia Business School received 5,774 applications for its MBA Class of 2026.
- MIT Sloan had 5,642 applications for the Class of 2026.
- Kellogg School of Management saw 4,865 applications for its Two-Year MBA Class of 2026.
- Berkeley Haas received 3,870 applications for the MBA Class of 2026.
- Yale SOM had 3,997 applications for its MBA Class of 2026.
- GMAC reports that global MBA applications increased by 12% in 2023 compared to 2022.
- In 2023, US MBA programs saw a 7% rise in applications from international students.
- Duke Fuqua received 3,549 applications for its Daytime MBA Class of 2026.
- Dartmouth Tuck had 2,689 applications for the Class of 2026.
- UVA Darden saw 3,210 applications for its Full-Time MBA Class of 2026.
- Ross School of Business received 4,021 applications for the MBA Class of 2026.
- Carnegie Mellon Tepper had 1,987 applications for its MBA Class of 2026.
- USC Marshall reported 2,456 applications for the Full-Time MBA Class of 2026.
- Georgetown McDonough saw 2,123 applications for its Full-Time MBA Class of 2026.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler had 1,945 applications for the MBA Class of 2026.
- In 2022-2023, INSEAD received over 4,000 applications for its MBA program.
- London Business School saw 7,500+ applications for its MBA Class of 2026.
- HEC Paris MBA program received 3,200 applications in 2023.
- IESE Business School had 2,800 applications for its International MBA in 2023.
- SDA Bocconi received 2,150 applications for its Full-Time MBA Class of 2026.
- IMD MBA program saw 4,500 applications in the 2023 cycle.
- Rotterdam School of Management had 1,650 applications for its International Full-time MBA in 2023.
- Mannheim Business School received 1,200 applications for its Full-Time MBA in 2023.
- ESMT Berlin had 900 applications for its Full-Time MBA Class of 2026.
- Cambridge Judge received 1,800 applications for its MBA in 2023.
Applicant Numbers and Trends Interpretation
Despite a global surge in applications suggesting widespread faith in the MBA's power to de-fog the future, the enduring hierarchy of dream schools ensures most contenders will find that the only thing truly multiplied is the competition for their own seat.
Post-MBA Outcomes
- HBS MBA graduates 2023 median base salary: $175,000.
- Wharton MBA Class of 2023 median salary: $175,000, with 98.6% employed 3 months post-grad.
- Stanford GSB Class of 2023 median base salary: $182,500, 97% employed.
- Chicago Booth 2023 MBA median salary: $175,000, 98.2% placement rate.
- NYU Stern Class of 2023 median base: $175,000, 96% employed within 3 months.
- Columbia Business School 2023 MBA median salary: $175,000, 98% employed.
- MIT Sloan Class of 2023 median base salary: $165,000, 97.8% employment rate.
- Kellogg Class of 2023 median salary: $175,000, 97.2% placed.
- Berkeley Haas Class of 2023 median base: $155,000, 94% employed 3 months out.
- Yale SOM Class of 2023 median salary: $165,000, 93.5% employment rate.
- Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA 2023 median salary: $165,000, 95.6% employed.
- Dartmouth Tuck Class of 2023 median base: $170,000, 98.3% placement.
- UVA Darden 2023 MBA median salary: $165,000, 96% employed within 3 months.
- Michigan Ross Class of 2023 median base salary: $165,000, 94% placement rate.
- Tepper MBA Class of 2023 median salary: $155,000, 95% employed.
- Top industries for MBA grads: consulting 33%, finance 29%, tech 22% per GMAC 2023.
- Average signing bonus for top MBA 2023 grads: $30,000.
- 85% of INSEAD MBA 2023 grads received job offers before graduation.
- LBS MBA 2023 median salary: $192,000, 93% employed 3 months post-grad.
- HEC Paris MBA 2023 average salary: €115,000, 94% employed.
- IESE MBA 2023 median salary: €105,000, 97% placement rate.
- SDA Bocconi MBA 2023 average salary: €98,500.
- IMD MBA 2023 median base salary: CHF 125,000, 97% employed within 3 months.
- RSM MBA 2023 average salary: €95,000.
Post-MBA Outcomes Interpretation
While these prestigious degrees promise a golden ticket to a lucrative career, the statistics reveal a sobering truth: a staggering conformity in post-MBA pay, suggesting the real premium isn't in the salary itself, but in the prestigious lottery ticket of admission.
Test Scores and Academics
- Average GMAT score for Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2026 was 740.
- Median GMAT for Wharton MBA Class of 2026 was 740, with a range of 640-790.
- Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2026 average GMAT score was 738.
- Chicago Booth Full-Time MBA Class of 2026 median GMAT was 730 (range 620-780).
- NYU Stern MBA Class of 2026 average GMAT was 732.
- Columbia Business School MBA Class of 2026 median GMAT score was 732.
- MIT Sloan MBA Class of 2026 median GMAT was 730, with 28% submitting GRE.
- Kellogg Two-Year MBA Class of 2026 average GMAT was 729.
- Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2026 median GMAT was 729 (range 680-760).
- Yale SOM MBA Class of 2026 average GMAT score was 720.
- Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA Class of 2026 median GMAT was 720.
- Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2026 average GMAT was 728.
- UVA Darden Full-Time MBA Class of 2026 median GMAT was 720.
- Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2026 average GMAT score was 727.
- Tepper MBA Class of 2026 median GMAT was 710.
- Average undergraduate GPA for HBS Class of 2026 was 3.73.
- Wharton Class of 2026 average GPA was 3.7.
- Stanford GSB Class of 2026 average GPA was 3.77.
- Booth Class of 2026 median undergraduate GPA was 3.6.
- Stern Class of 2026 average GPA was 3.62.
- Columbia Class of 2026 average GPA was 3.6.
- Sloan Class of 2026 average undergraduate GPA was 3.7.
- Kellogg Class of 2026 median GPA was 3.7.
- Haas Class of 2026 average GPA was 3.72.
- Yale SOM Class of 2026 average GPA was 3.64.
- GMAC data shows 55% of MBA admits in 2023 submitted GMAT scores averaging 705 globally.
- GRE submissions rose to 42% of MBA applications in top US programs in 2023.
Test Scores and Academics Interpretation
The top MBA programs have collectively declared that while you can't just buy your way in, you can certainly quantitatively reason your way to the front of the line, with a side of impressive undergraduate grades.
Sources & References
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