Stanford GSB MBA

Stanford GSB’s MBA is renowned for its dynamic, diverse class—bringing together emerging leaders from around the globe who are united by a passion for innovation, impact, and collaboration. Students gain transformative experiences through cross-disciplinary learning, entrepreneurial ventures, and global engagement.
 

Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2026 – Key Highlights

• Class Size: 424 students
• Average Age & Experience: ~5.1 years of work experience
• Gender Split: ~44% women
• U.S. Minorities: ~53% of U.S. students
• International Students: ~39%
   

Professional Backgrounds and Career Focus

Students come from diverse fields, with the most common industries represented as follows

• Finance: Largest sector for internships, including growth in private equity and investment management
• Technology: Second-largest internship sector, leveraging proximity to Silicon Valley
• Healthcare: Recently the third-largest sector among MBA interns
• Consulting, Energy, Government, Media/Entertainment: Also well-represented

Entrepreneurship is highly popular—many students found startups, join search funds, or launch tech-enabled ventures, supported by Stanford’s thriving ecosystem

The Stanford MBA is a globally renowned, full-time business program designed to develop principled, innovative leaders over a two-year journey

• Program Duration: 2 Years (Full-Time MBA)
• Tuition Fees (Domestic & International): USD 82,500 per year
  • Includes tuition, academic resources, and campus facilities access
• Estimated Living Expenses: USD 39,900 per year
  • Covers housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses

Graduates of the Stanford GSB MBA program continue to achieve exceptional career outcomes, making it a top destination for leadership development, career acceleration, and high return on investment.
 

• Average Post‑MBA Salary: USD 187,500 (median USD 185,000)
  Includes base salary; signing bonus ~USD 33,967; performance bonus ~USD 100,535
• Job Offer Rate (3 months post‑graduation): 88%
  Job acceptance rate among seekers: 80%
• Entrepreneurship Rate (launched ventures): 23%
   

Top Hiring Sectors & Compensation:

• Finance (37%): Median base USD 200,000; average USD 201,794
• Technology (22%): Median USD 185,000; average USD 187,645
• Consulting (14%): Median USD 190,000; average USD 180,250
• Healthcare (6%): Median USD 160,000; average USD 158,636
• Media/Entertainment (5%): average USD 187,857
• Energy (5%): average USD 166,700
   

Regional Hiring Distribution:

• North America: ≈91% of employed graduates
  • West: 45%
  • Northeast: 31%
  • Midwest, South, Southwest: ~4% each
  • Mid-Atlantic: 3%
• International (Europe, Asia, Latin America): remainder 
   

Top Employers & Alumni Network:

• Major recruiters include McKinsey & Company, BCG, Bain & Company, Google, Amazon, Sequoia, Carlyle, Deloitte
• Stanford GSB alumni network encompasses over 21,000 MBA alumni and 33,000+ total alumni, spanning global sectors and industries

Stanford GSB offers one MBA intake per year (Fall), with three application rounds. Deadlines are set in Pacific Time (4 p.m. PT) to give applicants flexibility in timing and preparation.
 

Fall 2026 Intake (Entry: September 2026)

• Round 1
  • Application deadline: September 9, 2025
  • Decision notification: December 10, 2025
• Round 2
  • Application deadline: January 7, 2026
  • Decision notification: April 2, 2026
• Round 3
  • Application deadline: April 7, 2026
  • Decision notification: May 28, 2026 

Applicants may apply in only one round per admissions cycle. Stanford strongly recommends applying in Round 1 or Round 2 to increase chances for class placement, financial aid, housing lottery, and visa processing benefits

All application components—including essays, test scores (GMAT/GRE), two recommendations, transcripts, and the $275 fee—must be submitted by the round deadline (4:00 p.m. PT)

Build a compelling application packet to showcase your intellectual vitality, leadership capacity, and potential social impact. All materials must be submitted through the Stanford online portal by the round deadline (4:00 p.m. PT).
 

Requirements

• GMAT / GRE
  • Required: submit valid GMAT or GRE scores (no minimum; taken after June 1, 2021, and before your application deadline)
  • For non-native English speakers: Submit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores unless you’ve completed a degree fully taught in English
• Essays
  • Essay A: “What matters most to you, and why?” (up to 650 words)
  • Essay B: “Why Stanford?” (up to 350 words)
  • Optional short answers (e.g., “impact examples” up to 1,200 characters)
• Letters of Recommendation
  • Two professional recommender submissions, preferably from supervisors who can highlight your leadership and teamwork
• Resume / CV
  • One-page professional resume outlining experience, roles, and leadership impact
• Transcripts & Education Records
  • Unofficial transcripts uploaded at application time; official ones after admission
  • Academic history with GPA (no minimum requirement), context, and, if applicable, translation
• Personal & Professional Background
  • Complete sections for personal info, activities, awards, and quantitative proficiency
• Application Fee
  • USD 275 (fee waiver available in certain cases)
• Additional Information
  • Use the “Additional Information” section to explain special circumstances, academic/work interruptions, or provide further context (not for essays)