Stanford Graduate School of Business is the most selective MBA program globally, with an acceptance rate below 7%. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, GSB is the top choice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Its small class size fosters deep relationships and personalized education.
With a class size of 436 students, GSB offers a mid-sized cohort balancing personal attention with network breadth. The program's 6.1% acceptance rate makes it one of the most selective MBA programs in the world.
Graduates report a median starting salary of $197,000, yielding an estimated 5-year ROI of approximately 533% after accounting for two years of tuition at $77,757 per year.
How GSB ranks according to each major business school ranking.
| Source | US News | FT | BBW | Fortune | QS | Economist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #6 | #2 | #5 | #6 | #1 | #8 |
| Year | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2025 | 2022 |
Track how GSB's ranking has changed over time in each major publication.
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #6▼ 3 |
| 2024 | #3— |
| 2023 | #3— |
| 2022 | #3▼ 1 |
| 2021 | #2— |
| 2020 | #2— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #2▲ 1 |
| 2024 | #3▲ 1 |
| 2023 | #4▼ 3 |
| 2022 | #1▲ 2 |
| 2021 | #3▼ 1 |
| 2020 | #2— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #5▲ 1 |
| 2022 | #6— |
| 2020 | #6— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #6— |
| 2024 | #6▲ 1 |
| 2023 | #7— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #1— |
| 2024 | #1▲ 3 |
| 2023 | #4▼ 2 |
| 2022 | #2▲ 3 |
| 2021 | #5▼ 1 |
| 2020 | #4— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2022 | #8— |
| 2021 | #8▲ 1 |
| 2020 | #9— |
Rankings data compiled from official publications. Global rankings (FT, QS) include international business schools, so positions may differ from US-only lists.
A strong GMAT score is critical for admission. The median GMAT at GSB is 738. Get started with a free practice test.
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