Stanford or Harvard, which is better for MBA?

MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business vs MBA at Harvard Business School

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Study MBA at Top Business Schools in the US. Find Explore how studying MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business differs from Harvard Business School.

Overview Comparison
Stanford Graduate School of BusinessHarvard Business School
ProgramsPG Programs -3
Doctorate Programs -7
PG Programs -4
Doctorate Programs -1
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees  135771
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 89622 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees  90505
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 23470 Per Year

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 2 for Business by US News 2025
# 3 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 3 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 1 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 6 for Business by US News 2025
# 7 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
application-#9856 Applicants
# 930 Admissions
# 9 % Acceptance Rate
exam scoresGMAT - 738/800GRE - 327/340IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 113/120Duolingo - 145/160GMAT - 740/800GRE - 326/340IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 75/90TOEFL - 109/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -135771Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesJan 7, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Apr 2, 2026 (Round 2 Application Decision Date For 2026 Intake)
Apr 7, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
May 28, 2026 (Round 3 Application Decision Date For 2026 Intake)
Sep 9, 2026 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2027 Intake)
Dec 10, 2026 (Round 1 Application Decision DateFor 2027 Intake)
Sep 3, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
Dec 10, 2025 (Round 1 Application Decision for Fall 2026 Intake)
Jan 5, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake)
Mar 25, 2026 (Round 2 Application Decision for Fall 2026 Intake)
Comparison Notes

As a popular belief, MBA at Harvard is for those who wish to climb the ladder of the traditional corporate sector, and MBA at Stanford is for those who wish to own a start-up. However, the class of 2019 at Harvard saw 17% of its graduates joining a start-up compared to 15% of Stanford.  

  • 35% International students made up the class of 2022 MBA at Stanford while there were 33% international students at HBS.
  • Average GRE score equivalents at Harvard Business School are
    • 148-170 (Verbal)
    • 145-170 (Quantitative)
  • Average GRE equivalents at Stanford Graduate School of Business are:
    • 150-170 (Verbal)
    • 151-170(Quantitiative)
  • 95% of MBA graduates from Harvard received full-time placement offers within 3 months. At Stanford, 94% of the MBA graduates were offered placement offers within 3 months of completion of the degree.
  •  Where major placements for Stanford graduates were in the Consulting sector, Harvard graduates were offered maximum roles in the finance sector.
  • The average monthly salaries for internships at Harvard were around $5,600 and Stanford was $7,400.

Overall the choice of studying at Harvard or Stanford is highly dependent on the student. Since, both the B-schools offer top-notch education and have a longstaning name in the market, pursuing MBA from either of them will offer high returns to the student.