Stanford GSB

Stanford University GSB MBA Program Overview

With its proximity to Silicon Valley, Stanford Graduate School of Business prides itself on having a culture of innovation and collaboration, as well as attracting cutting-edge faculty and speakers. This emphasis on challenging the status quo pushes students to take risks and experiment with new ideas.

Stanford GSB’s entrepreneurial mindset is one of the defining characteristics of its MBA experience. The school’s small class size facilitates this innovative spirit, offering close peer-to-peer interaction and one-to-one coaching. Stanford is also known for its strong joint-degree programs and its connection to the undergraduate research university.  Students have access to seven schools within one single campus — business, earth sciences, education, engineering, law, medicine, and humanities and sciences.

Through the first year curriculum at Stanford GSB, students build their general management knowledge and gain global exposure. In year two, students have the opportunity to strengthen their areas of development, and explore new coursework, through seminars, electives, a joint or dual degree, and Stanford courses outside of Stanford GSB. 

The average salary and bonus for the Stanford GSB full-time class of 2021 was $176,956, and 91.5% of students received job offers within three months of graduation.

What Sets Stanford Apart

• A Culture of Innovation and Change: Stanford GSB has a reputation of being a catalyst for change, encouraging Stanford MBA students think about what kind of impact they want to make in the world. The program constantly pushes students to think boldly and act fearlessly.
• Progressive Teaching Methods: From experiential teaching to labs to global immersion, Stanford GSB’s variety of instructional approaches fosters a dynamic learning environment. Other core areas of focus include lecture and discussion, guest speakers, leadership and design, role play, feedback and coaching, simulation, and case-based learning.
• Principled Leadership: Principled leadership is a key component of the Stanford GSB experience. This mindset focuses not only on leading with a responsibility to one’s organization, but to society and the world as a whole.
• Integrated Living and Learning Experience: Most students choose to live on-campus. This housing dynamic helps strengthen relationships and maximizes learning opportunities.
• Unique Global Alumni Communities: Stanford GSB offers alumni resources for various career paths and communities. From women’s programs to regional and diversity chapters, there is a community for everyone, both online and in-person.

2023 Stanford GSB MBA Class Profile

While Stanford GSB has noted that the class profile of its current class “does not define the composition of a future class,” we have included some details on the class of 2023 for your reference:

The Stanford GSB class of 2023 is made up of 426 students and had a 6.2% acceptance rate.

While there is no minimum GPA to gain admission, members of Stanford GSB’s class of 2023 who attended universities with a 4.0 scale had an average GPA of 3.78. The most popular undergraduate majors for the class of 2023 were business & commerce, economics, and engineering.

Of those enrolled in the class of 2023, 47% identify as women, 48% are U.S. students of color, and 47% are international students. These international students represent 66 countries and speak 70 different languages collectively.

Students also have an average of 4.8 years of work experience. While they represent a range of pre-MBA industries, the top three are investment management/PE/VC, consulting, and technology. The Stanford MBA Program welcomes those with all levels of work experience.

Joint/Dual Degrees Offered

Stanford also offers joint and dual degrees for those interested in pursuing more than one academic discipline or area of expertise. These include:

• JD/MBA: This joint degree program with Stanford Law is designed for those considering a career in law/public service who want to build the skills of a general manager, or those seeking a career in management who want to build the skills of a lawyer.
• MA Education/MBA: This joint degree program with Stanford Graduate School of Education is designed for those with an interest in K-12 and higher education, for-profit education, etc. This includes teaching and learning, education policy, education management, and the application of technology to education.
• MPP/MBA: This joint degree program allows you to pursue a Stanford MBA and an MPP degree from the Public Policy Program at Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences at the same time. The program is designed for those seeking a career in public policy or at the intersection of business and government.
• MS Computer Science/MBA: This joint degree program connects Stanford GSB and the Stanford University Computer Science Department. The program is designed for students who want to acquire the skills to become a manager and/or entrepreneur for new technology ventures.
• MS Electrical Engineering/MBA: This joint degree program connects Stanford GSB and the Stanford University Electrical Engineering Department. The program is designed for those who interested in building an understanding of engineering, strategy, and execution to drive future technological and business innovations.
• MS Environment and Resources (E-IPER)/MBA: This joint degree program with Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences enables students to acquire a background in the science, engineering, and technology that underlie environmental problems.
• MD/MBA: This dual degree program allows students to pursue a Stanford MBA and an MD from Stanford’s School of Medicine. This program takes five academic years of residence to complete.
• Other Dual Degrees: Students may pursue a dual degree with any graduate program at Stanford. Applicants must be accepted by the other chosen program separately, and then notify Stanford GSB separately.

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