Darden and SOM are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. Darden reports a higher median base salary. Darden offers lower annual tuition, and Darden delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. SOM is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Darden | SOM |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #112026 | #112026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #92024 | #122024 |
| Financial Times Rank | #202025 | #112025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | #182025 | #92025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,200 | $76,950 |
| Median Base Salary | $178,000 | $178,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 516% | 478% |
| Class Size | 350 | 350 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0% | 17.4% |
| Median GMAT | 718 | 724 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
Darden School of Business at UVA is known for its case-method teaching, second only to Harvard in case study usage. Darden students experience an immersive, discussion-based classroom environment. The school has strong placement in consulting, finance, and general management.
Yale School of Management is distinguished by its integrated curriculum and mission-driven culture. SOM attracts students interested in the intersection of business and society, with strong placements in consulting, nonprofit management, and social enterprise.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. Darden delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 516%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
SOM is more selective with a 17.4% acceptance rate, compared to 24.0% for Darden.
Darden reports a median base salary of $178,000, while SOM reports $178,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Darden annual tuition is $72,200 and SOM is $76,950. Darden offers a 4,750 lower annual cost.
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