GMAT scores are the single most-searched admissions data point for MBA applicants. Knowing the median isn't enough — you need to understand the range, how GMAT interacts with acceptance rate, and which schools are genuinely GMAT-flexible vs. GMAT-strict. This article compiles that data for all 25 top programs.
All data comes from our admissions database, cross-referenced against official program reporting for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle.
GMAT Scores for All 25 Top MBA Programs (2026)
The table below shows median GMAT score, the typical 25th–75th percentile range, acceptance rate, and class size for every program. Sorted by US News rank.
| Rank | Program | Median GMAT | 25th–75th %ile | Acceptance Rate | Class Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wharton (UPenn) | 733 | 700–760 | 19.2% | 918 |
| #2 | Booth (Chicago) | 730 | 700–760 | 20.4% | 614 |
| #3 | Harvard Business School | 740 | 710–770 | 11.0% | 930 |
| #4 | MIT Sloan | 730 | 700–760 | 13.6% | 480 |
| #5 | Kellogg (Northwestern) | 727 | 700–760 | 20.2% | 500 |
| #6 | Stanford GSB | 738 | 710–770 | 6.1% | 436 |
| #7 | Columbia Business School | 729 | 700–760 | 16.5% | 850 |
| #8 | Tuck (Dartmouth) | 724 | 690–750 | 21.5% | 291 |
| #9 | Haas (UC Berkeley) | 726 | 700–760 | 15.0% | 291 |
| #10 | Darden (UVA) | 718 | 690–750 | 24.0% | 350 |
| #11 | Ross (Michigan) | 720 | 690–750 | 22.1% | 425 |
| #12 | Fuqua (Duke) | 719 | 685–750 | 22.5% | 440 |
| #13 | Yale SOM | 724 | 690–760 | 17.4% | 350 |
| #14 | Stern (NYU) | 720 | 690–750 | 23.0% | 362 |
| #15 | Anderson (UCLA) | 714 | 680–750 | 25.0% | 360 |
| #16 | Johnson (Cornell) | 710 | 680–740 | 27.0% | 297 |
| #17 | Tepper (Carnegie Mellon) | 710 | 680–740 | 28.0% | 211 |
| #18 | McCombs (UT Austin) | 706 | 670–740 | 28.5% | 261 |
| #19 | Goizueta (Emory) | 690 | 660–720 | 30.0% | 190 |
| #20 | Kenan-Flagler (UNC) | 700 | 670–730 | 31.0% | 316 |
| #21 | Marshall (USC) | 708 | 680–740 | 26.0% | 228 |
| #22 | McDonough (Georgetown) | 700 | 670–730 | 31.0% | 262 |
| #23 | Kelley (Indiana) | 688 | 650–720 | 35.0% | 203 |
| #24 | Scheller (Georgia Tech) | 695 | 660–730 | 30.0% | 75 |
| #25 | Olin (WashU) | 694 | 660–725 | 32.0% | 155 |
Median GMAT scores sourced from official program reporting. Range estimates based on 25th–75th percentile data from class profiles. Acceptance rates and class sizes from 2025–2026 cohort data.
GMAT-Strict vs. GMAT-Flexible Programs
Not all top schools treat GMAT the same way. Some programs place heavy weight on test scores as a proxy for analytical ability. Others run a more holistic process where a 700 with exceptional work experience moves forward regularly.
Most GMAT-Strict (Score Carries High Weight)
- Booth — Analytical rigor is core to Booth's identity. The school selects for quantitative ability explicitly, and the data distribution shows it: the 25th percentile sits at ~700.
- MIT Sloan — STEM roots mean quantitative performance matters. Sub-700 admits happen but require an extraordinary profile.
- Wharton — Finance-heavy culture, tightest score distribution in the M7. The 25th percentile is ~700; admits below that are uncommon.
- HBS — Volume of applications means HBS can maintain very high score floors even while claiming holistic review.
Most GMAT-Flexible (Holistic, Range Is Wider)
- Yale SOM — SOM actively seeks public sector, nonprofit, and non-traditional backgrounds. The 25th percentile dips lower than peer programs, and they publicize this intentionally.
- Duke Fuqua — Team Fuqua culture means cultural fit and collaboration skills matter as much as test scores. Strong interpersonal profile can offset a modest GMAT.
- Darden (UVA) — Darden cares deeply about case readiness and intellectual curiosity. A 710 at Darden with a compelling career story competes well against a 740 with a generic profile.
- Tuck — The tight community at Tuck means cultural fit carries real weight. Scores in the 690–710 range can be competitive with the right story.
GRE Acceptance by Program
All 25 top MBA programs now accept the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT, and most explicitly state no preference between the two tests. There are nuances worth knowing:
- Finance-heavy programs (Wharton, Booth, Columbia): Anecdotally, GMAT remains the more common test in the admitted class. Taking the GMAT signals you're oriented toward business problem-solving.
- Research-heavy programs (Sloan, Haas, Anderson): Strong GRE scores (particularly verbal + analytical writing) are genuinely competitive, especially for STEM-background applicants.
- Mission-driven programs (Yale SOM, Fuqua): GRE is legitimately equivalent. Pick the test where you score better.
GRE equivalent benchmarks: A 730 GMAT roughly equates to 162V + 162Q on the GRE. A 700 GMAT roughly equates to 158V + 159Q. Use ETS's official comparison tool for exact conversions when self-assessing.
What's a Good GMAT Score for MBA Programs?
This depends entirely on which schools you're targeting. Here's the practical framework:
- 750+: Competitive at any school in the top 25. Your GMAT is no longer a concern — redirect energy to essays and interviews.
- 730–750: In range for all M7 programs. At HBS and Stanford (medians of 740 and 738), you're right at the median — comfortable, not automatically safe.
- 710–730: Competitive for M7 programs, particularly Kellogg, Columbia, Tuck, and Haas. At Wharton, Booth, and Sloan, a 715 needs a strong supporting profile.
- 700–715: Strong at programs ranked #10–#18 (Darden, Ross, Fuqua, Yale SOM, Stern). Stretch for Wharton/Booth/Sloan without exceptional differentiators.
- 680–700: Competitive at programs ranked #15–#25. Some T10 admits happen but require an exceptional profile and often, underrepresented background.
- Below 680: Focus on programs ranked #20–#25 where you're near the median, or seriously consider retaking. Applying below a school's 25th percentile hurts your application.
The goal isn't to score above the median — it's to score above the 25th percentile of your target schools. Below the 25th percentile, GMAT becomes an active liability. Above the 75th, it's effectively a non-issue.
Why Average GMAT Scores Don't Tell the Whole Story
Admissions committees evaluate GMAT scores in context. Three factors that change how your score is evaluated:
- Applicant pool composition: An Indian IT consultant applying to HBS is in one of the most competitive subpools — high GMAT becomes more important, not less. A career military officer or nonprofit leader faces less GMAT competition.
- Undergrad GPA context: A 720 GMAT with a 3.9 GPA from a rigorous program signals something different than a 720 GMAT with a 3.1 from a mid-tier school.
- Years since the test: GMAT scores expire after 5 years for official reporting, but admissions readers weigh scores from 3+ years ago alongside what you've accomplished since.
Tools to Build Your School List
Now that you know the score ranges, use these tools to build a realistic school list:
- Your Rank Tool — Weights 8 metrics (including selectivity) and re-ranks all 25 programs based on what matters to you. Shows how programs stack up given your profile and priorities.
- Admissions Profiles — Side-by-side table of all 25 programs showing GMAT, GRE, GPA, work experience, and international % for the full class.
- Program Comparison Tool — Compare any 2–5 schools on GMAT, salary, acceptance rate, tuition, ROI, and class size simultaneously.
- ROI Calculator — Once you have target schools, see whether the investment pencils out for your specific pre-MBA salary and career path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average GMAT score for top MBA programs?
The average (median) GMAT score across all 25 top MBA programs is approximately 716. The M7 programs average roughly 732. Programs ranked #10–#25 average roughly 705. The range across all 25 programs runs from 688 (Indiana Kelley) to 740 (Harvard Business School).
What GMAT score do I need for Harvard Business School?
HBS's median GMAT is 740, with a typical 25th–75th percentile range of 710–770. You're competitive in the score dimension at 720+; below 710 is a meaningful headwind. HBS does not publish an official cutoff, but very few admits score below 700.
What GMAT score do I need for Stanford GSB?
Stanford GSB's median GMAT is 738. The 25th–75th range runs approximately 710–770. Stanford has the lowest acceptance rate in our dataset at 6.1%, which means a high GMAT is necessary but far from sufficient. Stanford is holistic and values authentic leadership stories over score optimization.
Is a 700 GMAT good enough for an MBA?
A 700 GMAT is competitive at programs ranked #10–#22 (Darden, Ross, Fuqua, Yale SOM, Anderson, Johnson, Tepper, McCombs, Marshall, Kenan-Flagler, McDonough). It's a stretch for M7 programs but not impossible if the rest of your profile is exceptional. At schools like Kelley, Goizueta, Scheller, and Olin, a 700 puts you above the median.
Do all top MBA programs accept the GRE?
Yes — all 25 programs in our database accept the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT. Most programs state no preference between the two tests. If your GRE equivalent score is meaningfully higher than your GMAT, submit the GRE. Programs where GMAT anecdotally remains more common include Wharton, Booth, and Columbia.
How much does a higher GMAT score improve my chances?
Moving from below the 25th percentile to above it makes a real difference — it removes a liability from your application. Moving from the median to the 75th percentile has diminishing returns. At HBS, the acceptance rate difference between a 730 and 760 is marginal compared to the difference between a 700 and 730. Once you're at or above the median, additional GMAT improvement rarely justifies the prep time investment over strengthening essays or networking.