Stanford Graduate School of Business
Stanford, United States - Founded 1925
Stanford Graduate School of Business was founded in 1925 and is located in Stanford, California. It offers a two-year full-time MBA, the one-year MSx (Master of Science in Management) for experienced professionals, and a PhD in seven fields of study. The MBA Class of 2027 enrolled 434 students from 7,259 applicants. The class averaged 738 on the classic GMAT (10th edition) and 689 on GMAT Focus, with an average GPA of 3.76 and an average of 5.3 years of work experience. Women make up 45% of the class and international students 38%. For the Class of 2025, the median base salary was $185,000 and the median signing bonus was $30,000. 90% of job seekers received an offer and 81% accepted an offer within three months of graduation. Technology (35%), finance (33%), and consulting (11%) were the largest industries. Stanford GSB is ranked #1 in the U.S. News Best Business Schools 2026 ranking.
Class size
434
Avg GMAT
738
Median salary
$185,000
Class profile
Applications
7,259
Avg GPA
3.8
GMAT range
540-780
Intl students
38%
Women
45%
Avg work exp
5.3 yrs
Avg age
-
GRE accepted
Yes
Undergraduate majors
Pre-MBA industries
Employment
Median base salary
$185,000
Signing bonus
$30,000
Placement (3 mo)
81%
Offers at grad
66%
Changed industry
-
Changed function
-
| Industry | % of class |
|---|---|
| Technology | 35% |
| Finance | 33% |
| Consulting | 11% |
| Health care | 5% |
| Energy | 4% |
Programs
| Type | Program | Duration | Format | Tuition | Class size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time MBA | MBA | 24 months | Full-time, on-campus | $89,187 (first year, 2026-27) | 434 |
| Early-career | MBA Deferred Enrollment | 24 months, after 1 to 4 years of work | One to four years of work, then the full-time, residential MBA | $89,187 (first year, 2026-27 MBA tuition) | - |
| Specialized master | MSx (MS in Management) | 12 months | Full-time, on-campus | $154,828 (July 2026 to June 2027) | - |
| PhD | PhD Program | 60 months | Full-time, on-campus | Full fellowship (stipend and tuition) | - |
All full-time MBA programs comparedAll early-career MBA programs compared
Admissions
| Round | Deadline | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 9, 2026 | December 9, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 6, 2027 | April 1, 2027 |
| Round 3 | April 7, 2027 | May 27, 2027 |
Application fee
$275
Tuition
$89,187 (first year, 2026-27)
Total cost
$140,940 (first year, single student, 2026-27)
Interview
By invitation only. A structured behavioral interview with a trained alumni interviewer or a member of the admissions team, remote or in person. Every admitted candidate interviews; Stanford interviews two to three candidates per available seat.
English test
Required
Deferral
Deferred enrollment is open to college seniors and to graduate students who went directly from undergraduate study; admits defer for one to four years. Other admits cannot defer and must reapply.
FAQ
What GMAT score do I need for Stanford GSB?
The Class of 2027 averaged 738 on the classic GMAT (range 540 to 780) and 689 on GMAT Focus (range 615 to 785). Stanford has no minimum score; 58% of the class submitted the GMAT and 44% the GRE.
What is the Stanford GSB acceptance rate?
Stanford GSB does not publish an acceptance rate. The Class of 2027 enrolled 434 students from 7,259 applicants.
How many rounds does Stanford GSB have?
Three. For 2026-27: Round 1 closes September 9, 2026 (decisions December 9, 2026), Round 2 closes January 6, 2027 (decisions April 1, 2027), and Round 3 closes April 7, 2027 (decisions May 27, 2027).
What is the median salary for Stanford GSB graduates?
The Class of 2025 median base salary was $185,000 and the median signing bonus was $30,000.
Sources
- 1Stanford Graduate School of Business, Class profile
- 2Stanford Graduate School of Business, Admissions
- 3Stanford Graduate School of Business, Employment report (checked October 15, 2026)
Campus photo by Steve Castillo, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.