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MBA Courses at Stanford University: Fees 2025, Eligibility, Requirements
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International students can apply for admission to the Stanford University MBA program in multiple rounds. Stanford offers its MBA course through the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Students can check the Stanford University application deadline for the MBA below:
- Round 1: Sep 9, 2025
- Round 2: Jan 7, 2026
- Round 3: Apr 7, 2026
Stanford University MBA Highlights 2025
The MBA program at Stanford is a demanding and fulfilling curriculum to assist students in becoming a leader with values and a purpose. The university believes in working together and broadening perspective through small class sizes, close peer-to-peer interaction, group activities, and one-on-one mentoring.
Stanford University provides a nine to 24-month MBA program in various specializations such as Business Administration; Finance; Economics; Management, Policy, Organization and Leadership; Accounting; Public Policy; and more. The Stanford University tuition cost for the MBA program ranges between INR 35 L and INR 1Cr. Students can apply for MBA programs via the University portal and submit the required documents such as a SOP, LORs, resume, official transcripts, and more.
Stanford University MBA Tuition Fees
Stanford University MBA tuition fees range between INR 35 L and INR 1 Cr. Students must pay around INR 71 L for popular programs such as Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, and more. The tuition cost for Management is too high for international students. The tuition cost for popular MBA programs is given below:
|
Stanford University MBA Programs |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
|
Business Administration |
INR 71 L |
|
Finance |
INR 71 L |
|
Economics |
INR 35 L |
|
Management |
INR 1 Cr |
|
Policy, Organization, and Leadership |
INR 47L |
|
Accounting |
INR 71 L |
|
Public Policy |
INR 47L |
Stanford University MBA Entry Requirements
Students from diverse backgrounds must fulfill the basic eligibility criteria and submit the required documents to take Stanford University MBA admissions. The entry requirements at Stanford for international Management applicants are given below:
- Resume/CV
- Professional Experience
- Two LORs
- Essay
- Personal Statement
- College/University transcripts
- Short answer question (optional)
- GMAT/GRE score
- English language requirements
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
For international students, cost of pursuing MBA in Stanford is INR 34 L - 1 Cr per year. Note that duration of this MBA course is 9 months - 2 years. Although it is expensive to study this course, ROI is good as median annual base salary for graduates is USD 185,000 per year. Also, this salary is expected to grow every year based on students' skill set and performance.
Conversion Rate: 1 USD = INR 84.83
For the academic year 2025-26, Stanford MBA cost is around INR 1.18 Cr or USD 135,771. Stanford MBA tuition fee is around INR 75 lakh or USD 85,755.
Particulars | Fees |
|---|---|
Living expenses | USD 19,464 (Around INR 17 L) |
Housing | USD 21,507 (Around INR 18.7 L) |
Medical insurance | USD 8,232 (Around INR 7.17 L) |
Health fee | USD 813 (Around INR 71k) |
Stanford University and Harvard University are among the top MBA universities in the USA on the other hand IIM Ahmedabad is among the top IIMs in India to study MBA program. They all offers the best MBA programs to students and also provide better career oppurtunities to thier graduates. We have compared them below in terms of MBA fees and placements:
| Universities | MBA First Year Fees | MBA Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | INR 32 L - 1 Cr | USD 189,010 or INR 1.6 Cr |
| Harvard University | INR 18 L - 62 L | USD 175,000 or INR 1.5 Cr |
| IIM Ahmedabad | INR 12 L - INR 32 L (complete fees) | INR 36 L |
As per the above table, it is clear that Harvard University is the best choice among Stanford University and IIM Ahmedabad to study MBA Abroad because of its impressive placements and fees.
Stanford University MBA/PGDMPopular courses
1
Stanford University MBA/PGDMFees details 2026
| Fee components | Amount (for 2 years) |
|---|---|
INR 75.46 L | |
INR 21.97 L | |
INR 6.71 L - 7.24 L | |
INR 2.15 L | |
INR 13.23 L - 13.94 L | |
INR 1.2 Cr - 1.21 Cr |
These are estimated fees information. Actual values may differ.
Stanford University MBA Application Process
International students must adhere to the below admission process to get admission into the Stanford University MBA program:
International students can choose a specialization to pursue an MBA in Business Administration; Finance; Economics; Management; Policy, Organization and Leadership; Accounting; Public Policy; and more.
Visit the University portal to apply for the MBA program and submit the required documents, such as official transcripts, English language proficiency scores, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.
The Stanford University application fee for an MBA is USD 275 (INR 23K). (USD 1= INR 85.60).
Stanford University will review the application and provide an offer letter to join their master's program within a few weeks.
International students must submit the tuition cost for the MBA program that ranges between INR 34L and INR 1 Cr.
Stanford University MBA Selection Criteria
With a low acceptance rate, students must adhere to the basic selection criteria to get admission to the MBA program at Stanford University. The Stanford University selection criteria for the MBA program are given below:
- Students must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent
- A GPA of 3.5 or above
- Applicants must have strong quantitative and analytical skills
- The university also evaluates criteria such as background, experiences, perspectives, aspirations, values, and accomplishments
No single component of the Stanford MBA application such as academic performance, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, work experience, or interview determines the admission decision. As a result, every aspect of the Stanford University MBA application is considered. While evaluating the application, Stanford University considers other criteria such as how one leads, how one thinks, and how one sees the world.
Stanford University MBA English Language Proficiency Exams
Stanford University accepts IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL iBT scores from all master's applicants including MBA students. Students can refer to the table below for the minimum requirements of TOEFL score for MBA admission:
|
Program |
Min score required |
|---|---|
|
IELTS |
7 or above |
|
TOEFL |
100 or above (iBT) |
|
PTE |
68 or above |
Commonly asked questions On Application Process
Indian students must adhere to the basic eligibility by holding a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Students must submit a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, gain relevant quantitative and analytical skills. In addition, students must submit certain mandatory documents such as a resume/CV, professional experience proof, two letters of recommendation, essay, personal statement, college/university transcripts, GMAT/GRE score, and English language requirements.
International applicants, experienced professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking to develop leadership skills, create an impact on the global economy, and are passionate about principled decision making and bringing change in society must aim for an MBA at Stanford University. Stanford University offers various specializations such as Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Management, Policy, Organization and Leadership, Accounting, Public Policy, and more. The Stanford University tuition cost for the MBA programme ranges between INR 35 L and INR 1Cr.
As per a renowned ranking body, Stanford is popular for various courses, including Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Materials, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Software Engineering, and more. Some popular universities, along with the US News subject rankings, are given below:
Popular programs | US News Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
Computer Science | #1 |
Artificial Intelligence | #3 |
Cybersecurity | #5 |
Data Analytics/ Science | #3 |
Programming Language | #3 |
Software Engineering | #8 |
Stanford University vs UC Berkeley vs Columbia University
If we look at the comparison below among top universities like Stanford, Columbia, and UC Barkley, the world ranking of Stanford is better than the two. But, the tuition range of Stanford University is more expensive than the others. Look at the table below for comparison -
|
University |
THE World University Rankings |
1st-Year MBA Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|
|
Stanford University |
#6 |
INR 35L-INR 1 Cr |
|
#8 |
INR 23 L-INR 73 L |
|
|
#18 |
INR 45 L-INR 80 L |
Compare MBA/PGDM at Stanford University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 36.65 L - 1.32 Cr | #3 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 20.93 L - 80.31 L | #3 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 38.67 L - 75.22 L | #7 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 37.24 L - 1.14 Cr | #1 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 38.99 L - 88.97 L | #793 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 41.59 L - 75.28 L | #4 US News, 2026 |
Compare
Stanford University MBA Admission Dates
International students can apply for the MBA program at Stanford University in many rounds. The Stanford University MBA application deadline for international applicants is given below:
|
Program |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Masters |
Sep 9, 2025 |
Jan 7, 2026 |
Apr 7, 2026 |
Stanford University MBA Selection Criteria
With a low acceptance rate, students must follow the basic selection criteria to get admission to the MBA program at Stanford University. The Stanford University selection criteria for the MBA program are given below:
- Students must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent
- A GPA of 3.5 or above
- Applicants must have strong quantitative and analytical skills
- The university also evaluates criteria such as background, experiences, perspectives, aspirations, values, and accomplishments
No single component of the Stanford MBA application such as academic performance, test scores, essays, LORs, work experience or interview decides the admission decision. As a result every aspect of the Stanford University MBA application is considered. While checking the application Stanford University considers other criteria such as how one leads, how one thinks and how one sees the world.
Stanford University Graduate Cost of Living
Indian students must have a budget before applying in any program at Stanford. Students budgets must comprise tuition, living expenses, meals, fees, books and supplies, travel and personal expenses. Mentioned below is the cost of living for graduates at Stanford University:
|
Particulars |
Per Quarter |
|---|---|
|
Campus housing/rent |
USD 6,460 (INR 5.5L) |
|
Food |
USD 2,460 (INR 2L) |
|
Personal |
USD 2,955 (INR 2.5L) |
|
Transportation |
USD 630 (INR 53K) |
|
Books/supplies |
USD 185 (INR 15K) |
|
Campus health service fee |
USD 271 (INR 23K) |
|
Cardinal Care Health Insurance |
USD 2,744 (INR 2.3L) |
|
Total |
USD 15,705 (INR 13.44L) |
(USD 1=INR 85.60)
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Stanford University MBA program is one of the most selective programs by top business schools. The school received more than 6,000 applications and accepted just 431 candidates. Just the test scores won't be enough to secure admission to Stanford MBA. Apart from this, you need an excellent undergraduate GPA and relevant work experience.
Stanford University admissions requirements for MBA programme are given below:
- The average undergraduate GPA for the class of 2025 was 3.77
- The GMAT score required was 738
- Work experience of 5 years
Read: MBA Colleges in USA
While the business schools like Harvard, Stanford GSB, and Wharton are among the top schools to pursue Business and Management, Wharton is the least selective of all three.
Wharton's larger class size (866 in MBA Class 2026) is the main reason for its accessibility. Wharton seeks students with strong quantitative and diverse professional backgrounds, which makes it more accessible than Harvard and Stanford.
Mentioned below are the offer rates to the most prestigious b schools in the world:
| School | MBA Acceptance Rate (2025) | Class Size (Approx.) | Number of Applicants (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wharton | 20.5% - 24.8% | 866 | 7,300 |
| Harvard Business School (HBS) | 9.1% - 13.2% | 930 | 9,000 |
| Stanford GSB | 7.0% - 8.4% | 420 | 5,000 |
Stanford University's Graduate School of Business is quite difficult as its acceptance rate is between 6% - 7%. Even Forbes has listed that the Graduate School of Business acceptance rate is 6%. This indicates that the university's course of the School of Business are very selective. As such, the university has not mentioned the average GPA for MBA admission. But, average GPA for the MBA Class of 2026 is 3.75 and the average years of work experience is 5.1.
Stanford University MBA/PGDMExplore Other Courses
Stanford University MBA/PGDM FAQs
Stanford University MBA Admission FAQs
Q. How can I get admission to MBA at Stanford?
A. Students must meet the below-given Stanford University MBA requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree. For Indian applicants, a two-year master’s degree following the three-year bachelor’s degree is preferred but not needed
- GMAT / GRE test score
- English language proficiency test score
- A resume (if applicable)
- Essays
- Optional short answer question
- Two letters of recommendation preferable from individuals who have supervised the work of the applicants
Q. Is GMAT required for MBA at Stanford?
A. Yes, GMAT is required for Stanford MBA. In place of GMAT, the applicants can submit GRE score too. As such, the GMAT score has not been mentioned but, the average GMAT score is 737 for the entering MBA class of 2024.
Q. How much does it cost to study MBA at Stanford?
A. Stanford University cost of attendance for an MBA for a single student for 2023-24 is USD 126,465. Out of which, the tuition fee for MBA course is USD 79,860. This amount is slightly above 65 lakh. Apart from the tuition fee, the rest amount will be for living expenses. Check the cost of living for Stanford MBA from the table given below:
|
Particulars |
Expenses for a Single Student |
|---|---|
|
Living expenses |
USD 18,453 |
|
Housing |
USD 20,271 |
|
Medical insurance |
USD 7,128 |
|
Health fee |
USD 753 |
Q. Is Stanford MBA hard to get into?
A. Getting into Stanford MBA program is a highly competitive process. To take admission to Stanford MBA, the applicants must have a strong academic profile, demonstrate leadership potential and a clear vision for future goals and submit compelling essays and letters of recommendation. Apart from these things, to get into MBA, students must also submit standardized test scores. For the Stanford MBA entering class of 2024, there were a total of 6,152 applicants and 424 new students got admitted.
Q. Is Stanford MBA better than Harvard?
A. Both Stanford University and Harvard University are the top universities to study abroad for MBA. However, the decision to choose a particular university for the studies is dependent on the student. But, in terms of QS Global MBA Rankings for 2023, Stanford University is placed better. In 2023, Stanford University is placed at #1, whereas, Harvard University is placed at #2 position in the QS Global MBA Rankings. To have an idea about what it takes to be admitted to the top-ranked MBA Universities of the world, the data for the entering class profile is given below:
|
Particulars |
MBA Entering Class of 2024 of Stanford University |
MBA Entering Class of 2024 Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
|
Average GPA |
3.76 |
3.70 |
|
Work experience |
4.9 years |
5 years |
|
Average GMAT score |
737 |
730 |
|
Percentage of international students |
37% |
38% |
The average salary for a Stanford MBA graduates is USD 189,010 or INR 1.6 Cr, which increases from USD 182,272 or INR 1.5 Cr in 2022. International students can check below the mean salary of top industries:
| Top Three Industries | Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Finance | INR 1.74 Cr |
| Consulting | INR 1.56 Cr |
| Technology | INR 1.48 Cr |
Stanford University is a prominent university offering various high-quality and world ranked courses. MBA is one of the top courses at the university and has the impressive placement rate. Stanford MBA requires studenst to submit GMAT / GRE scores. Also, the applicangts are required to appear for the interviews.
Harvard Business School of Harvard University as well as the Stanford Graduate Business School of the Stanford University are one of the top three business schools in the world and thus getting a degree from either of these is equally prestigious. In terms of rankings, the Stanford Graduate Business School has an upper hand. However, Harvard Business School offers more affordable education.
We have given below a comprehensive comparison of both the business schools below:
| Particulars | Harvard Business School | Stanford Graduate Business School |
|---|---|---|
| QS Global MBA Ranking 2024 | #3 | #1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.4% | 3.6% |
| Average Package | Median Base Salary: USD 175,000 (INR 1.45 Cr) Median Signing Bonus: USD 30,000 (INR 25 L) |
Median Annual Base Salary: USD 182,500 (INR 1.52 Cr) Median Signing Bonus: USD 30,000 (INR 25 L)
|
| First-year Tuition Fees | INR 18 L - 62 L | INR 32 L - 1 Cr |
Conversion Rate: 1 USD = INR 83.53
The median base salary of the MBA graduates at Stanford University is around USD 182,500 (INR 1.52 Cr) and around USD 50,000 (INR 41.71 L) as the median performance bonus. The Stanford University MBA package 2023 across multiple industries in which the graduates of the university are employed is listed below:
Industries | 2024 |
|---|---|
Finance | INR 1.6 Cr |
Technology | INR 1.4 Cr |
Consulting | INR 1.6 Cr |
Stanford University and Harvard University are among the top MBA universities in the USA. If we talk about the Stanford University and Harvard University placements, then Stanford offers better placement opportunities to their MBA graduates. We have compared them below in terms of MBA placement rate and average salary:
| Universities | MBA Placement Rate | MBA Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | 89% | USD 189,010 or INR 1.6 Cr |
| Harvard University | 86% | USD 175,000 or INR 1.5 Cr |
Stanford University offers full-time 5-year MBA PhD program. Curriculum offered requires students to pass examination at end of second year. Students will also undertake research papers, along with working closely with faculty and developing skills required for research. Dissertation is final requirement for MBA PhD program offered at Stanford University. Studying an MBA PhD at Stanford University can be considered a good option.
Stanford University and Harvard University offer a full-time two-year Master in Business Administration program. The Shiksha grading system has allotted grades for the MBA program offered at the universities. MBA offered at Stanford University and Harvard University has received a rank of A++ by the Shiksha Study Abroad grading system. The tuition fee for an MBA offered at the universities is mentioned below:
University Name | MBA Tuition Fee |
Stanford University | INR 68.94 L |
Harvard University | INR 62.63 L |
Placement rate at Stanford Univ for MBA graduates is around 89% within three months of graduation. MBA graduates of university secure placements in some of the top companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, World Economic Forum and many more. MBA graduates of Stanford Univ secure job placements across multiple industries such as Finance, Consulting, Healthcare, Energy, Technology and many more.
According to ranking data by the US World and News 2025, while Stanford Graduate School of Business ranks #2 among best B-schools of world, Harvard Business School ranks #6 which is bit lower. Stanford GSB MBA 2026 acceptance rate is 5.8%, which is lower than Harvard Business School, meaning it is easier for student to get offer letter at Harvard MBA than Stanford MBA.
Table compares these two best Business schools:
Criteria | Harvard Business School | Stanford GSB |
|---|---|---|
Location | Boston, Massachusetts | Silicon Valley, California |
Average Starting Salary | USD 175,000 (INR 1.55 Cr) | USD 182,500 (INR 1.61 Cr) |
Acceptance Rate (Class 2026) | 9.43% | 5.8% |
Tuition (MBA) | USD 76,410 (INR 67.73 L) | USD 82,455 (INR 73.09 L) |
Ranking (US World and News 2024) | #6 | #1 |
Placement Rate (MBA Class 2023) | 86% | 89% |
(USD 1 = INR 88.65)
Stanford University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
As per the Stanford University guidelines, late applications are not accepted. After the application deadline, the application window closes.
International applicants can refer to the deadlines for UG and PG courses given below -
- UG Regular Application Deadlines - Jan 5, 2026
- PG MBA Round 2 Applicat
L
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Yes, the Stanford University application deadlines are open for international students for the year 2026. These programs like MBA follow a round system and the application deadlines are given below -
| Application Round | Apply by | Notification by |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Sep 9, 2025 (Closed) | Dec 10, 2025 |
| Round 2 | Jan 7, 2026 | Apr 2, 2026 |
| Round 3 | Apr 7, 2026 | May 28, 2026 |
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Stanford University QS ranking 2026 is #3 and in 2025, it ranks at #6. The 2026 QS rank show a significant improvement of rankings as compared to the previous year's rankings. In the QS rankings, since the past 5 years, Stanford Uni has ranked among the Top 10 Universities in the world.
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Globally, Stanford Uni ranks among the Top 10 Universities in the world. In the world rankings by known publishers, here are some of the rankings of Stanford:
| Publisher | Rankings |
|---|---|
| QS World Uni Rankings 2026 | #3 |
| Times Higher rankings 2026 | #5 |
| U.S. News Global University Rankings 2025 | #3 |
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
Stanford Reliance Dhirubai MBA Fellowship offers financial support for up to 5 Indian nationals each year who commit to be back to India, after completing MBA. The recipients shall receive full tuition support for the 2-year MBA course at Stanford. For this fellowship program, there are two stages:
Contributor-Level 10
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| University City | Stanford, California, USA |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 13,809 |
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