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Stanford Graduate School of Business

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CLASS SIZE 431
FEMALE 46%
MEAN GMAT 738
MEAN GPA 3.77

The Stanford Graduate School of Business, or Stanford GSB, is located on the eastern side of Stanford University’s campus in Palo Alto, California. Stanford’s MBA program is known for its small size, which creates an intimate academic setting. Due in part to its close proximity to Silicon Valley, the school is also well recognized for its strengths in entrepreneurship and the high-tech industry. The MBA program places a noted focus on fostering positive change, as evidenced by its motto, “Change lives. Change organizations. Change the world.”

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FAQ

What is the tuition for Stanford’s MBA program?

The tuition for Stanford’s MBA program is $79,860 per year. The total cost of the Stanford MBA program is $126,465 per year; this includes budgeted living expenses.

How hard is it to get into Stanford’s MBA program?

The acceptance rate for Stanford is slightly above 5%. It is important to consider the acceptance rate in the context of the student profile of those who are admitted. For example the average GMAT score is 738.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to Stanford’s MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at Stanford is 738.

Does the Stanford MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The Stanford MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.

What is the average GRE score for admission to Stanford’s MBA program?

The average GRE score for the incoming class at Stanford is 164 Verbal and 164 Quantitative.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to Stanford’s MBA program?

Stanford does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 5 years of experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to Stanford’s MBA program?

The average number of years of work experience among students in Stanford’s MBA program is 5.

What is the average starting salary for graduates of the Stanford MBA program?

The average starting salary for Stanford MBA graduates is $182,272 with an average signing bonus of $33,684. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is Stanford’s full-time MBA program?

Stanford offers a traditional 2 year MBA program.

What are the application deadlines for Stanford’s MBA program?

The Round 1 MBA application deadline is September 12, 2023. The Round 2 application deadline is January 4, 2024. The Round 3 deadline is April 9, 2024.

What percent of Stanford MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at Stanford that are women is 46%.

What type of interview does Stanford use for MBA admissions?

Stanford offers interviews by invitation. The interviews are resume-based. This means the interviewer has not had access to the application materials.

Admissions

The Class Profile

Admission to Stanford GSB’s MBA program is highly competitive—6,190 MBA hopefuls applied to the Class of 2025, and 431 ultimately matriculated. The average GMAT score among the enrolled students in this class is 7387. Thirty-nine percent of the class opted to take the GRE instead of the GMAT, and they averaged 164 in the Verbal section and 164 in the Quant section. The average GPA for the new class was 3.77.

Twenty-six percent of students in the Class of 2025 hold undergraduate majors in engineering. Twenty-one percent majored in economics. A fifth studied business/commerce and 15% majored in math or science. Thirteen percent earned degrees in social sciences.

Students in this class have an average of 5 years of work experience. Prior to attending Stanford, 19% came from investment management, private equity, or venture capital roles, and another 17% had worked in consulting. Thirteen percent of the class hailed from the technology sector. Ten percent of the class previously worked in government, education, or the nonprofit sector while nine percent have worked in consumer products and services.

Thirty-seven percent of first-year students are international citizens, dual U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Finally, women comprise 46% of this class, and 50% identify as a member of a U.S. minority group.

Application Procedures

Stanford GSB offers three rounds of admission, which usually take place in late September, early January, and early April. Along with filling out an online application about their biographical information and career history, applicants must submit essays, a résumé, transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions attended, and a $275 application fee. In addition, two letters of reference are required, one from a workplace supervisor and one from a peer.

Applicants must also submit GMAT or GRE scores and, if needed, a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. Interviews are conducted on an invitation-only basis and are required for admission to the MBA program. The bulk of interviews are executed by alumni located around the world; members of the MBA Admissions staff also conduct interviews.

Application Checklist

Essay Topic Analysis

Need help with your essays? Get our experts' advice.

Interview Reports

Stanford Q&As

Stanford GSB LiveWire and DecisionWire

MBA LiveWire

March 14, 2024 4:23pm ET
Accepted to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via phone March 14, 2024
GRE: 333
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Non Profit / Social Impact
Application Location: CA
Note:

~12:30 PDT with $

March 7, 2024 7:18pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 08, 2024
GRE: 320
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: London
March 7, 2024 7:07pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 08, 2024
GPA: 3.9
GRE: 328
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Finance
Application Location: London
March 4, 2024 4:37pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email March 4, 2024
GPA: 2.86
GRE: 325
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Finance
Application Location: North Carolina
Note:

Vet

February 26, 2024 11:52am ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email February 26, 2024
GMAT: 740
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Non Profit / Social Impact
Application Location: Sydney
Note:

~ received 2:40 am Sydney time
~ very surprised and excited!

February 23, 2024 2:12pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 16, 2024
GPA: 3.75
GRE: 330
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Entrepreneurship
Application Location: Bay Area
February 21, 2024 8:03pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 20, 2024
GPA: 3.7
GRE: 330
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: East Coast
February 21, 2024 6:59pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email February 21, 2024
GPA: 3.69
GRE: 324
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Other
Application Location: Texas
Note:

Almost lost all hope with Stanford...Feeling incredibly fortunate!
Received email today around 530pm CT

MBA DecisionWire

NYU
March 18, 2024 4:04pm ET
Enrolled: NYU Stern
Admitted: NYU Stern , USC / Marshall
Applied: NYU Stern, USC / Marshall
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Asset Management, inc. Hedge Funds
GPA: 3.11
Notes:

Born and raised in the NYC area and NYU has always been a dream school of mine. No scholarship info so far but I plan on taking loans to supplement my savings and what my company will pay for. I work at a BB in technology/ops, but looking to switch roles.

I scored a 162 on the EA, which I used in my application instead of a GMAT or GRE score.

NYU
March 18, 2024 3:59pm ET
Enrolled: NYU Stern
Admitted: Berkeley / Haas , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper $
$20000
,
Georgetown / McDonough $
$4000
,
NYU Stern , UCLA Anderson
Applied: Berkeley / Haas, Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Georgetown / McDonough, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, U. Washington / Foster
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consumer Goods Companies: Coca Cola, General Mills, Mondelez, Nestle, PepsiCo, Proctor & Gamble
GPA: 3.2
Location: Portland OR
Notes:

I want to end up on the east coast (so therefore want to build my network out east). I also want to stay in the marketing & CPG space as well. I wanted to do more part time programs, so really focused on part time programs that have hybrid programs.

Advice: Really take the time to reflect and understand what you want out of an MBA. Do the work!

McD
March 18, 2024 11:10am ET
Enrolled: Georgetown / McDonough
Admitted: Georgetown / McDonough
Applied: Georgetown / McDonough
Entering Year: 2024
GRE: 328
Location: India
?
March 18, 2024 5:44am ET
Enrolled: Undecided
Admitted: Emory / Goizueta , Georgia / Terry , Rice / Jones
Applied: Emory / Goizueta, Georgia / Terry, Rice / Jones, UNC Kenan-Flagler
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology, Undecided
GPA: 3.1
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Academics

Faculty

Across its seven academic areas, Stanford GSB employs 119 tenured and tenure-track professors resulting in a six-to-one student-faculty ratio. In addition to teaching classes, these scholars and practitioners also help staff the school’s 10 research centers and research programs, which cover topics from entrepreneurial studies to global supply chain management.

Curriculum

The full-time MBA program is designed to take place across six quarters of roughly 11 weeks apiece. Classes are held during the fall, winter, and spring, and students are encouraged to spend the summer between the first and second years completing an internship. Autumn Quarter of the first year of the MBA program typically begins in mid- September and ends in mid-December. Classes resume for Winter Quarter in early January and last until late March; Spring Quarter runs from early April through mid-June. The second year is structured very similarly, with the exception that Autumn Quarter courses begin a week later.

As at most MBA programs, professors at Stanford GSB use a mix of teaching methods, such as case studies, lecture and discussion, and team projects. Stanford GSB students spend the first year of their MBA studies completing both core and distribution requirements. The first quarter is devoted entirely to core requirements, with both Winter and Spring quarters dedicated to finishing the core as well as undertaking distribution requirements and electives. In addition, each first-year student must fulfill a Global Experience Requirement by contributing to a project abroad. Students can meet this requirement by working abroad over the summer through the Global Management Immersion Experience, completing an exchange program with Tsinghua University in Beijing, or participating in a student-initiated service or global study trip.

Throughout the second year, students can take up to 18 courses total and are free to choose from over 100 elective courses across 10 academic departments. Students may also cross-register for courses at other Stanford University graduate schools. Stanford GSB does not offer any formal MBA majors, but students can earn a Certificate in Public Management and Social Innovation.

Other MBA Degree Options

Along with its two-year MBA degree, Stanford GSB offers six joint degree programs with other schools within the university. The business school also has one dual degree program, the MD/MBA, that is offered in conjunction with the Stanford School of Medicine. Aspiring GSB students are free to design their own dual degree programs featuring an MBA and a degree in a different field from Stanford or another university. Beyond its MBA offerings, Stanford GSB is home to the Stanford Sloan Master’s Program, a one-year MS in Management program targeted at mid-career managers and executives.

Core Courses at Stanford GSB

Core Requirements

  • Data Analysis and Decision Making
  • Leading with Values
  • Finance I
  • Financial Accounting
  • Leadership Laboratory
  • Managerial Skills
  • Managing Groups and Teams
  • Microeconomics
  • Optimization and Simulation Modeling
  • Organizational Behavior

Distribution Requirements

  • Finance II
  • Human Resource Management
  • Information Management
  • Macroeconomics
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Strategy
  • Strategy Beyond Markets

Global Experience Requirement (one)

  • Global Management Immersion Experience
  • Global Exploration
  • Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program

Degree Offerings at Stanford
Full-time MBA Program
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba

Joint Degrees
JD/MBA, MA Education/MBA, MPP/MBA, MS Environment & Resources/MBA, MS Computer Science/MBA, MS in Electrical Engineering/ MBA
www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/ academic-experience/joint-dual-degrees

Dual Degrees
MD/MBA, MA in International Studies/MBA
www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/ academic-experience/joint-dual-degrees

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences & Competitions

Stanford GSB students are given many opportunities for extracurricular involvement. The school has over 50 student-led clubs and organizations that vary in focus from professional to social interests. For instance, the Entrepreneurship Club, one of the largest and most active student clubs at the GSB, provides resources such as workshops, panels, and peer mentorship to its members, who range from aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs. Members of the Finance & Investment Club manage a $150,000 portfolio that is part of the business school’s endowment. Meanwhile, members of the Social Impact Club research how innovation across business, finance, policy, and nonprofit systems can support a better future.

Each year, Stanford GSB students and professors run a variety of events that bring scholars and practitioners to campus to discuss business-related issues. These include such conferences as the Sports Innovation Conference and the Africa Business Forum. GSB students also participate in several business competitions, such as the $100K Challenge run by the Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students.

Campus Space

The Knight Management Center, the home of the Stanford GSB, lies towards the eastern side of the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, California. Officially opened in spring 2011, the Knight Management Center is made up of nine buildings featuring plentiful classrooms and study rooms, as well as an auditorium, event center, dining pavilion, and library. The Schwab Residential Center and Jack McDonald Hall make up the Stanford GSB Residences and are both are a short walk away. Additional on-campus housing is also available, each with different advantages. Meanwhile, students seeking to live off campus can find information about local housing through Stanford’s Community Housing Services.

MBA Careers

Career Services

Stanford GSB’s Career Management Center (CMC) provides students with a wide range of career counseling services, including networking events, mock interviews, résumé and cover letter reviews, and one-on-one meetings with CMC advisors. The CMC also organizes informational recruiting events such as Company Networking Nights, as well as the school’s on-campus recruiting schedule. In the 2022-2023 school year, the official On-Campus Recruiting periods runs from mid- to late October for second-year students and from mid-January to early February, with a break for midterms, for first- and second-year students.

Career Statistics

Three months after graduation, 93% of the Class of 2022 had received job offers and 84% of the class had accepted offers. The average starting salary for Stanford MBA graduates is $182,272 with an average signing bonus of $33,684.

Finance was the most chosen industry for the Class of 2022, with 33% of students joining it. Thirty percent went into technology and 15% into consulting. Five percent chose to work in healthcare, and media/entertainment rounds out the top five industries at five percent. Nineteen percent of the Stanford MBA Class of 2022 are now dedicating their time to the launch of their new ventures. In regards to sectors, 47% started businesses in technology followed by 13% in healthcare. Seven percent launched ventures in energy and six percent each in finance or consumer products.

As with many business schools, Stanford GSB placed a large proportion of its graduates, 58%, in the region where it is located: the Western U.S. Twenty-six percent found work in the Northeast, and 4% of the Class of 2022 took jobs outside of the U.S.

Financing

The tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year is $79,860. However, Stanford GSB estimates that single students living on campus will pay $126,465 total in that time given additional costs such as rent and textbooks. Meanwhile, married students should budget for $152,157. The Global Experience requirement can also add $3,000 to $4,500 to the total cost of attendance.

The school only offers need-based fellowships but encourages students to apply for both need- and merit-based outside fellowships. Stanford GSB students who are U.S. citizens can also finance their education through federal and private loan programs. International students, meanwhile, are encouraged to take advantage of the school’s partnership with Star One Credit Union that allows international students to take out loans without a U.S. co-signer. Upon being admitted to the MBA program, students receive detailed instructions regarding how to file for financial aid.

Program Cost (nine-month academic year)

Tuition $79,860

Medical Insurance $7,128
Health Fee $753

Living Expenses
Single Student $18,453
Married Student $34,200

Housing
Single Student $20,271
Married Student $30,216

Total
Single Student $126,465
Married Student $152,157

Contact

Mailing Address:
MBA Admissions Office
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Knight Management Center/
McClelland Bldg.
655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305-7298
Phone: 650-723-2766
Fax: 650-725-7831
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.gsb.stanford.edu
Twitter: @StandfordBiz