University of Virginia ( Darden )MBA

UVA Darden’s Full‑Time MBA Class of 2025 includes 352 talented professionals known for their leadership potential, global experience, and strong general management aptitude. This cohort fosters a close‑knit, high‑impact learning environment ideal for accelerated career transformation in consulting, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and beyond.

• Class Profile Highlights (MBA Class of 2025)
  • Class Size: 352 students
  • International Students: 41%, representing 33 countries
  • Women: 37% of the class
  • First-Generation U.S. College Students: 21%
  • Military Veterans: 14%
  • LGBTQ+ Students: ~7%
• Academic & Work Experience
  • Average Work Experience: ~5.9 years
  • Average Undergraduate GPA: ~3.51 on a 4.0 scale
• Standardized Test Scores (for context—optional for website inclusion)
  • Average GMAT: 716 (median ~710; middle 80%: 680–750)
  • Average GRE (Combined): ~321 (range ~309–333)
• Pre‑MBA Industry Breakdown
  • Financial Services: 22%
  • Government: 13%
  • Consulting: 13%
  • Technology: 12%
  • Nonprofit/Other: 7–9%
  • Students come from 33 different industries, contributing to Darden’s rich classroom discussions.

Global & Learning Experience

• The cohort studied at 238 undergraduate institutions, with 27% having studied abroad and 17% holding advanced degrees.
• Darden emphasizes the case-method approach, team-based learning, and global immersion experiences across ~80 countries.

The Darden Full‑Time MBA is a two‑year immersive general management program designed to develop high‑impact leaders through case‑method learning and global experiences.

• Program Duration: 2 years (Full‑Time MBA format)
• Tuition & Fees: Approximately $78,600 per year (non‑Virginia residents); about $75,600 per year for Virginia residents. Includes tuition, activity and case fees. Total tuition for both years ~$157,200–$157,300
• Estimated Living Expenses: ~$19,720 per year for room, board, personal expenses, computer, and transportation—total full cost of attendance is around $105,000 per year, bringing both‑year total to ~$210,000+.

Darden MBA graduates consistently achieve strong career outcomes with high employment rates and competitive salaries across key industries, reflecting the program’s strength in leadership and general management development.

• Average Post-MBA Salary: $148,896 (base salary) — among the top salaries for U.S. MBA programs
• Job Offer Rate (3 months post-graduation): 94% employed or pursuing further education within 3 months of graduation
• Top Hiring Sectors:
  • Management Consulting – 44%
  • Financial Services – 23%
  • Technology – 14%
  • Healthcare & Pharma – 6%
  • Consumer/Retail – 5%
• Top Hiring Regions:
  • United States – 92%
  • International (various countries including India, Europe, Asia) – 8%
• Top Recruiters:
  McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company, Deloitte, Amazon, Google, J.P. Morgan, Accenture
• Alumni Network: Over 17,000 Darden alumni worldwide across 130+ countries, providing an influential global network for career growth and mentorship

Plan your application carefully with these key deadlines for the August 2026 intake. Darden offers multiple rounds including Early Action to provide flexibility and maximize your chances for admission.

• Early Action
  • Application Deadline: 4 September 2025
     
• Round 1
  • Application Deadline: 1 October 2025
     
• Round 2
  • Application Deadline: 7 January 2026
     
• Round 3
  • Application Deadline: 1 April 2026
     

Prepare a comprehensive application to showcase your leadership potential, academic ability, and fit with Darden’s collaborative culture. All materials must be submitted online by the application deadline.

Requirements

• Standardized Tests
  • GMAT or GRE scores are optional for the 2024–25 application cycle; applicants may submit scores to strengthen their application.
  • Darden considers the whole application holistically, including professional experience and academics.
• Essays
  • Darden requires three short-answer essays to understand your motivations, leadership, and community impact. The prompts are:
    1. Community of Belonging: What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? (100 words)
    2. Inclusive Impact: Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating a welcoming, global community at Darden. (300 words)
    3. Careers with Purpose: At this time, how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA goal in terms of industry, function, geography, company size and/or mission, and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words)
        
• Recommendation Letters
  • Two professional recommendations are required, preferably from supervisors or colleagues who can objectively evaluate your leadership, teamwork, and career growth potential.
• Video Interview
  • Selected applicants will be invited to complete a recorded video interview using a virtual platform, assessing communication skills and fit with Darden’s values.
• Interview
  • After initial application review, applicants invited to interview with Darden alumni or admissions staff (virtual or in-person).
  • Interviews focus on leadership, motivation, and fit with the program culture.
• Other Documents
  • Online Application Form
  • Resume (1–2 pages)
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Passport or ID for international applicants
  • Application Fee: $275 (non-refundable) — application processed only after payment.