The Wharton School FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about Wharton admissions, GMAT scores, deadlines, and more.
Admissions
What is the acceptance rate at Wharton?
Wharton does not publish an acceptance rate. It received 7,613 applications for the Class of 2027, which enrolled 888 students.
What GMAT score do I need for Wharton?
There is no minimum GMAT or GRE score. The Class of 2027 averaged 735 on the classic GMAT (200-800) and 676 on the GMAT Focus Edition (205-805). Wharton has no preference between the GMAT and GRE.
What GPA do I need for Wharton?
Wharton publishes no minimum GPA. The Class of 2027 average was 3.7, counting only students from universities on a 4.0 scale.
Program
How long is the Wharton MBA program?
The full-time MBA runs 20 months, including a 3.5-month summer internship. Year 1 runs from early August to May.
What is the class size at Wharton?
The Class of 2027 enrolled 888 students.
How international is the Wharton MBA?
26% of the Class of 2027 are international students, from 68 countries.
Career
What is the median salary for Wharton graduates?
The Class of 2025 median base salary was $185,000. The median sign-on bonus, among the 48% who reported one, was $30,000.
What share of Wharton graduates get job offers?
Of Class of 2025 students seeking employment, 90.5% reported job offers and 87.0% reported job acceptances.
What are the top industries for Wharton graduates?
For the Class of 2025: financial services 38.2%, consulting 28.2%, technology 15.3%.
Financial
How much is tuition at Wharton?
Tuition and university fees are $93,008 per year in the 2026-27 budget ($87,970 tuition plus $5,038 fees).
What is the total cost of attendance at Wharton?
The 2026-27 budget is $135,441 per year, including $42,433 in living expenses and health insurance.
What is the application fee for Wharton?
$275, non-refundable. It is waived for U.S. active duty military and veteran applicants. The Moelis Advance Access fee is $100.
Application
What essays are required for the Wharton application?
For 2026-27: Essay 1 has two short answers (50 and 150 words) on post-MBA goals; Essay 2 (350 words) asks how you plan to add meaningful value to the Wharton community. Reapplicants add a 250-word essay; an optional additional information essay allows 500 words.
How many recommendation letters does Wharton require?
One, preferably from a current or former supervisor. Carey JD/MBA applicants need two.
Does Wharton require the TOEFL or IELTS?
Applicants who did not attend an institution where English was the language of instruction must submit TOEFL iBT, PTE, IELTS or Duolingo English Test results.
Does Wharton waive the GMAT or GRE?
No. All applicants must submit GMAT or GRE results. The AWA section is not required.
Location and background
Where is Wharton located?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The MBA for Executives also runs a San Francisco cohort.
What undergraduate backgrounds do Wharton students have?
Wharton's class profile lists Humanities 36%, STEM 32% and Business 32%.
What industries do Wharton students come from?
The largest pre-MBA industries for the Class of 2027 were consulting (31%), PE/VC (15%) and nonprofit/government (10%).