UVA Darden School of Business FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about Darden admissions, GMAT scores, deadlines, and more.
Admissions
Does Darden publish an acceptance rate?
No. Darden publishes class size, test scores, GPA and demographics but not an acceptance rate.
What GMAT score do I need for Darden?
There is no minimum. The Class of 2027 averaged 671 on the GMAT Focus (middle 80% 626-715) and 725 on the classic GMAT (middle 80% 690-750). The GRE average was 322.
What GPA do I need for Darden?
There is no minimum GPA. The Class of 2027 averaged 3.54.
Program
How long is the Darden Full-Time MBA?
Darden describes the Full-Time MBA as 21 months. The 2026-27 application cycle admits students to the class matriculating in August 2027.
What is the class size at Darden?
The Class of 2027 has 361 students.
How international is the Darden MBA?
30% of the Class of 2027 are international students, from 28 countries.
What percentage of the Darden class are women?
35% of the Class of 2027.
Career
What is the median salary for Darden graduates?
For the Class of 2025, the median base salary was $175,000 and the median signing bonus was $30,000.
How many Darden graduates have jobs three months after graduation?
In the Class of 2025, 89.3% of graduates seeking employment had accepted a job and 90.2% had received an offer within three months of graduation.
What are the top industries for Darden graduates?
For the Class of 2025: consulting 37.3%, financial services 26.0%, technology 16.1%.
Financial
How much is tuition at Darden?
2026-27 tuition and fees are $83,000 for Virginia residents, $88,000 for non-Virginia residents and $88,240 for international students.
What is the total cost of attendance at Darden?
The 2026-27 cost of attendance is $118,196 for Virginia residents, $123,196 for non-Virginia residents and $125,420 for international students.
What is the application fee for Darden?
$250. Attending qualifying Darden events reduces it to $150 or $100, and full waivers are available to applicants who meet specific criteria.
Application
What essays are required for the Darden application?
Two short answer questions of 200 words each and a 90-second video essay. See the Darden essays page for the prompts.
How many recommendation letters does Darden require?
One. A second recommendation is optional.
Does Darden require the TOEFL or IELTS?
Applicants who completed their education at a non-English-speaking institution must submit the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo English Test. There is no minimum score.
Does Darden offer test waivers?
Yes. Waiver applications are reviewed case by case. Darden also accepts the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, MCAT and LSAT.
Culture
What is the teaching method at Darden?
The first-year core curriculum is taught by the case method, with students working in learning teams of five to six.
Where is Darden located?
Charlottesville, Virginia. The Executive MBA is based at UVA Darden DC Metro in Arlington, Virginia.
What industries do Darden students come from?
The largest pre-MBA industries for the Class of 2027 were financial services (22%), technology (14%) and consulting (13%).