Let's take an in-depth look at the UVA Darden MBA program, from its application requirements to employment prospects. We'll also discuss the program's worthiness, admission challenges, and the ideal GMAT score.
Program Overview
Duration: 21 Months
Format: Full Time, In-person
Average Work Experience: 2-10 Years
Location: UVA Grounds, Charlottesville, Virginia
Future Year Scholars Program: Deferral MBA Option Available
Global Immersion: A feature that enriches your learning experience.
UVA Darden MBA Application Process
Application Deadlines
Are you interested in joining the MBA Class of 2026 (2024 Intake)? Here are the application deadlines:
Early Action: September 7, 2023
Round 1 (R1): October 4, 2023
Round 2 (R2): January 4, 2024
Round 3 (R3): April 3, 2024
Darden MBA Application Requirements
Before embarking on your journey, you'll need to meet specific application requirements, including:
Academic Transcripts
GMAT/GRE/EA/MCAT/LSAT
TOEFL/IELTS
One Recommendation
Short Essays: Two essays of 200 words each and one essay of 300 words.
Application Fee: $250
Test Scores Reporting Codes: GMAC: KC7-0X-86 , ETS: 4629, TOEFL: 5820 Dept. 02, IELTS: 5099
Darden MBA Ranking
FT Darden MBA Ranking
The University of Virginia, Darden MBA program has been making waves in the FT rankings. Here's a comparison:
FT MBA Ranking in 2023: 17
Key Changes UVA Darden MBA Ranking in 2023:
Improved Overall Ranking: The most noticeable change is the improvement in the overall FT MBA ranking, moving up from 20 in 2022 to 17 in 2023. This signifies an upward trend in the school's performance.
Percentage of Female Faculty: There was a noticeable improvement in gender diversity, with the proportion of female faculty members rising from 27% in 2022 to 29% in 2023.
Overall Satisfaction: The increase in the overall satisfaction score from 9.6 in 2022 to 9.71 in 2023 points to an elevated level of student contentment.
Better Career Progress Rank: The career progress rank improved from 60 in 2022 to 53 in 2023, suggesting that students are achieving better career outcomes.
Improved International Course Experience: The international course experience rank moved up from 58 in 2022 to 50 in 2023, indicating enhanced global exposure for students.
Higher Salary: The average salary today increased from US$183,784 in 2022 to US$194,437 in 2023, signifying better earning potential for graduates.
Enhanced International Faculty and International Board: Both international faculty and international board percentages increased, reflecting greater international involvement.
Improved Female Students Percentage: The percentage of female students improved from 40% in 2022 to 38% in 2023.
Higher Salary Percentage Increase: The salary percentage increase rose from 137 in 2022 to 141 in 2023, indicating better returns on investment.
Value for Money Rank Decrease: The value for money rank dropped from 62 in 2022 to 71 in 2023, which might be an area to address.
The UVA Darden MBA program has shown significant improvement in various aspects in 2023 compared to the previous year, including rankings, satisfaction, career progress, and gender diversity. These positive changes reflect the program's commitment to continuous enhancement and the overall experience for students.
Darden MBA Class Profile (Class of 2025):
Get a glimpse of your future classmates:
Class Size: 352
Countries Represented: 33
International Students: 41%
Female Students: 37%
Average GMAT: 716
Median GMAT: 710
GMAT Range: 680 - 750 ( mid 80%)
Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.51
Average GRE (Combined): 321
Median GRE: 322
Range GRE: 309 - 333 ( mid 80%)
Average Work Experience: 5.9 Years
Median Work Experiences: 5.3 Years
Darden MBA Class Profile (Class of 2024):
Get a glimpse of your future classmates:
Class Size: 348
Countries Represented: 48
International Students: 43%
Female Students: 37%
US Minorities: 20%
Consortium Members: 41
Average GMAT: 720
Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.51
Average GRE (Combined): 319
Average Work Experience: 5.8 Years
Military Service Members: 8%
UVA Darden MBA Fees and Scholarships
Pursuing an MBA is an investment. Understand the costs and opportunities:
Approx. Annual Fees for International Students:
Tuition & Fees: $75,400
Living Expenses: $19,720
Total Cost of Attendance: $105,129
UVA Darden MBA Scholarships
Need Based Scholarship
Darden Worldwide Scholarship Program
Competitive Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Darden MBA Employment Report
Class of 2022
Total Full-Time MBA Graduates Seeking Employment: 316
Not Seeking Employment
Company-sponsored; already employed: 5
Continuing education: 1
Postponing job search: 0
Starting a new business: 5
Not seeking for other reasons: 9
Total not seeking employment: 20
No recent information available: 2
Total graduates: 338
Starting Salaries (Average)
Permanent work authorization: $142,412
Non-Permanent work authorization: $131,887
Total reporting base salary: $139,945
Starting Bonuses (Average)
Permanent work authorization: $33,647
Non-Permanent work authorization: $32,067
Total reporting starting bonus: $33,266
Employment Trends - Offers Received (5 Years)
Year 2016: 93%
Year 2017: 93%
Year 2018: 94%
Year 2019: 97%
Year 2020: 93%
Employment Trends - Offers Acceptance (5 Years)
Year 2016: 90%
Year 2017: 90%
Year 2018: 92%
Year 2019: 96%
Year 2020: 91%
Employment Trends - Average Base Salary (5 Years)
Year 2016: $122,806
Year 2017: $124,684
Year 2018: $127,764
Year 2019: $135,168
Year 2020: $139,945
Employment by Function
Consulting: 39%
Finance/Accounting: 20%
General management: 17%
Human resources: 1%
Information technology: 3%
Legal services: 2%
Marketing/Sales: 13%
Operations/Logistics: 4%
Average Base Salary by Function
Consulting: $155,997
Finance/Accounting: $138,202
General management: $121,056
Human resources: $111,136
Information technology: $139,100
Legal services: $164,000
Marketing/Sales: $125,549
Operations/Logistics: $126,617
Total reporting: $139,945
% Graduates in Top Hiring Industries
Tech Industry
Year 2016: 17%
Year 2017: 14%
Year 2018: 18%
Year 2019: 15%
Year 2020: 20%
Financial Service
Year 2016: 27%
Year 2017: 24%
Year 2018: 26%
Year 2019: 24%
Year 2020: 19%
Consulting
Year 2016: 37%
Year 2017: 34%
Year 2018: 32%
Year 2019: 36%
Year 2020: 41%
Employment by Industry
Consulting: 41%
Consumer packaged goods: 3%
Energy: 1%
Financial services: 19%
Health care (including products and services): 2%
Legal services: 2%
Manufacturing: 3%
Media/Entertainment: 1%
Nonprofit: 1%
Real estate: 1%
Retail: 5%
Technology: 20%
Transportation/Logistics services: 1%
UVA Darden MBA Average Base Salary by Industry
Consulting: $155,661
Consumer packaged goods: $113,175
Energy: $126,000
Financial services: $139,620
Health care (including products and services): $98,000
Legal services: $164,000
Manufacturing: $123,677
Nonprofit: $106,667
Retail: $122,857
Technology: $125,997
Transportation/Logistics services: $107,003
Employment by World Region
Africa: 0%
Asia: 3.50%
Europe: 0.30%
Latin America/Caribbean: 0.70%
North America: 95.50%
Oceania: 0%
Average Base Salary by World Region
Asia: $113,749
North America: $141,243
Employment by North America Region
Mid-Atlantic: 23%
Midwest: 5%
Northeast: 30%
South: 13%
Southwest: 15%
West: 15%
Average Base Salary by North America Region
Mid-Atlantic: $140,195
Midwest: $140,986
Northeast: $146,627
South: $139,441
Southwest: $143,663
West: $131,301
Top 12 Hiring Companies
Accenture
Capital One
Google
Amazon
Deloitte
McKinsey & Company
Bain & Company
Dell
Microsoft
BCG
EY
Wayfair
Primary Sources of Job Acceptances
School-Facilitated: 78.50%
Graduate-Facilitated: 21.50%
Students received full-time offers as a result of their summer internships: 53%
Is MBA from Darden Worth It?
An MBA is a big commitment. You need to consider various factors:
The cost of the program.
The potential career benefits.
How well it aligns with your personal and professional goals.
While a Darden MBA offers a robust grounding in business fundamentals, ample networking prospects, and access to a wide array of career paths, it's crucial to assess whether the advantages justify the investment and whether the program harmonizes with your enduring career goals.
Is It Hard to Get Into Darden MBA?
Admission to UVA Darden MBA is competitive. The school looks at various elements, including academic and professional backgrounds, test scores, essays, and more. While an average GMAT score is 716, Darden considers the whole applicant.
To increase your chances of acceptance, you'll need a strong academic and professional background, a clear vision for your future, and a proactive approach to gaining relevant experience and leadership skills. UVA Darden also offers GMAT Waiver for MBA applicants.
In summary, getting into Darden MBA is challenging, as the school looks for well-rounded and highly qualified applicants.
Is UVA Darden a Good Business School?
The University of Virginia's Darden School of Business is highly respected. It ranks well among top business schools and offers a robust academic curriculum, experiential learning, and a supportive alumni network. Forbes, for example, ranked Darden number 8 among the "Best Business Schools" in 2021.
It's known for providing students with a strong foundation in business and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Overall, UVA Darden is a reputable and respected business school.
What's a Good GMAT Score for Darden?
Darden doesn't have a specific minimum GMAT score requirement. They assess your entire profile. The average GMAT score of incoming students is 716. While a high GMAT score is beneficial, Darden looks at all aspects of your profile, including academic and professional experiences.
A good GMAT score is an advantage, but Darden considers applicants holistically, and your score is one of many factors in the application process.
So, are you ready to embark on your MBA journey at UVA Darden? It's an exciting and challenging path that could lead to a rewarding future.
At GOALisB , we're your dedicated partners in achieving your dream MBA journey. Whether you're aiming to join a top-tier business school, need expert guidance on crafting powerful MBA essays, or want to ace your MBA interview, we've got you covered. Contact us to take this discussion forward.