Is Stanford better than Harvard for MBA?
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1 Answer
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According to the ranking data published by the US World and News 2025, while Stanford Graduate School of Business ranks #2 in among the best 1334 B-schools of the world, Harvard Business School ranks #6, which is substantially lower. The Stanford GSB MBA 2026 acceptance rate is 5.8%, which is lower than Harvard Business School, meaning it is comparatively easier for a student to get an offer letter at Harvard MBA than Stanford MBA.
The table compares these two best Business schools in depth:
Criteria
Harvard Business School
Stanford GSB
Location
Boston, Massachusetts
Silicon Valley, California
Average Starting Salary
USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr)
USD 182,500 (INR 1.54 Cr)
Sign-On Bonus
USD 30,000 (INR 25 L)
USD 30,000 (INR 25 L)
Acceptance Rate (Class 2026)
9.43%
5.8%
Tuition (MBA)
USD 76,410 (INR 64.5 L)
USD 82,455 (INR 69.6 L)
Ranking (US World and News 2024)
#6
#1
Placement Rate (MBA Class 2023)
86%
89%
(USD 1 = INR 86.47)
Similar Questions for you
The overall fee at Stanford comprises tuition costs and living expenses, which may vary based on the students' lifestyles. The tuition at Stanford University is around INR 58 L for undergraduate programs, and ranges between INR 25 L and INR 1.23 Cr for postgraduate programs. Along with the tuition cost, students must make a budget for additional expenses such as accommodation, transportation, insurance, books and supplies, food, and miscellaneous and personal expenses. Students can check the table below for tuition costs of popular programs:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
B.Sc. (37 courses) | INR 30 L - 1 Cr |
INR 35 L - 1 Cr | |
M.A. (22 courses) | INR 25 L - 70 L |
B.E. / B.Tech (13 courses) | INR 58 L |
INR 58 L | |
B.Sc. (13 courses) | INR 58 L |
MFA (2 courses) | INR 34 L |
INR 58 L |
The living costs to pursue any master's or undergraduate programs at Stanford depend on various factors, including the type of course, living standards, housing choice, and personal expenses. The estimated cost of living for Indians can range between INR 20L and INR 30L, excluding tuition costs. This cost may cover expenses like health insurance, transportation, meals, housing, and personal expenditure. International students are advised to make a proper budget before enrolling in any programme at Stanford.
Stanford University offers a range of programs that provide a high return on investment for international students. Some of the popular programs with high ROI are Computer Science, Data Science, and MBA. The reason for their high ROI is its thriving tech and business ecosystem in Silicon Valley, and the graduates secure roles in companies such as Google, Apple, Meta, or other ventures. The salaries of these graduates range between INR 1 Cr to INR 1.3Cr, which offsets tuition and living costs. Students can also opt for courses like Engineering and Bioengineering.
Stanford University attracts students worldwide for its programs, including Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Business, Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, and more. These programs usually belong to the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Business. The reason for the program's popularity is Silicon Valley resources, excellent faculty, and cutting-edge labs. International students usually opt for specializations such as Machine Learning, Sustainable Energy, Product Design, and Sustainable Energy. Students can also combine courses across departments.
For the academic year 2024-25, the total number of students at Stanford University is 18,625. Out of this, 7,904 are UG students and 10,721 are PG students. International student percentage is 15% for UG level. Here is the student ethnicity of UG students:
Particulars | Total no. of Students |
|---|---|
Non-residents | 965 |
Hispanic / Latino | 1,501 |
Black or African America, non-Hispanic | 644 |
White, non-Hispanic | 1,754 |
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic | 62 |
Asian, non-Hispanic | 2,199 |
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic | 16 |
Two or more races, non-Hispanic | 724 |
Race and / or ethnicity unknown | 39 |
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