Collegedunia Team Content Curator
Content Curator
Choosing between an MBA at Darden School of Business (University of Virginia) and Anderson School of Management (UCLA) depends on your priorities. Darden offers a case-based learning approach, emphasizing practical problem-solving and general management, while Anderson focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and its location advantage in the dynamic Los Angeles business scene. Your decision should align with your career goals, preferred campus atmosphere, and learning style. Darden excels in case-based teaching and a tight-knit community, while Anderson offers opportunities in tech, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. Consider these aspects to select the program that best suits your professional aspirations and desired MBA experience.
| Darden School of Business | Anderson School of Management | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 20 Financial Times 2025 # 11 Financial Times 2021 # 18 Financial Times 2020 | # 19 Financial Times 2025 # 25 Financial Times 2020 # 26 Financial Times 2019 |
| Programs | PG Programs -2 | PG Programs -5 Doctorate Programs -2 |
| Cost to Study | Hostel + Meal - 18176 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 131669 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21600 Per Year |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | - | # 20 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 31 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | - | GMAT - 703/800IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 87/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -131669 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | - | Jan 6, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Mar 27, 2026 (Round 2 Decision Date for 2026 Intake) Apr 7, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) May 15, 2026 (Round 3 Decision Date for 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
Ranked at #18 by Financial Times and #11 by US News, the Darden School of Business is a popular name among American B-schools. The Anderson School of Management of the University of California Los Angeles, on the other hand, ranks at #25 and #16 respectively. Other aspects to consider are
- Employment: 96% of graduates from Darden received employment opportunities within three months of graduation, as opposed to 87% from Anderson.
- Salary Increase: Darden graduates also fared better here, with an increase of 128% as compared to Anderson’s 111%.
- Out of the total number of students enrolled, in Darden 39% are female and in Anderson 40% are female.
- Anderson has a bigger international student community, with 36% of the total class being international citizens, whereas the number is only 24% at Darden.
- Both colleges have very good opportunities for internships, and students have been hired by big companies like Amazon, Bain & Company, Dell, etc.
- Darden offers more scholarships than Anderson, and the Batten Foundation Scholarship is provided to every MBA student at Darden who attends a global course.
- Anderson School of Management is located in LA, gives students the big city experience of complete festivals and parties. LA is home to a number of international neighborhoods where one can learn more about different cultures around the world. Further, students can visit many famous beaches and even the world of Hollywood.
Overall, Darden Business School is a better investment in financial terms, but the Anderson School of Management gives one more exposure culturally, which is surely an advantage in the realm of business.
