University of Virginia – Darden School of Business
Overview
The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia is one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the world. Known for its case method teaching, Darden provides students with a rigorous, hands-on approach to learning. The school focuses on leadership development, ethical decision-making, and global business strategy. Darden’s faculty is highly regarded for its academic contributions, and the school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, which provides a close-knit community and picturesque campus experience.
Darden offers several MBA formats, including a full-time MBA, an Executive MBA (EMBA), and a Global Executive MBA (GEMBA). The full-time MBA is a two-year program that includes a core curriculum covering finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, along with more than 100 elective courses in areas like entrepreneurship, data analytics, and global business. Darden’s case method challenges students to engage in real-world business scenarios, helping them develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Darden also provides numerous global study opportunities, leadership development programs, and access to its extensive alumni network, which is known for its strong support and mentoring of students. The program’s emphasis on leadership and its robust career services make Darden graduates highly sought after by top companies.
BusinessWeek Ranking
- Darden is consistently ranked in the top 10 MBA programs globally by BusinessWeek, with particular recognition for its leadership development and general management focus.
Number of Students
- Approximately 360 full-time MBA students.
Acceptance Rate
- The acceptance rate is around 26%, making it a competitive program.
Average GMAT Score
- The average GMAT score for admitted students is 720, though GRE scores are also accepted.
Top Hiring Companies
- McKinsey & Company
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
- Bain & Company
- Amazon
- Goldman Sachs
Average Starting Salaries
- Graduates of Darden typically earn starting salaries of $150,000 per year, with significant bonuses and performance incentives.
Notable Alumni
- Steven Reinemund: Former CEO of PepsiCo.
- Ken Chenault: Former CEO of American Express.
- Cynthia Hogan: Former Vice President of Public Policy at Apple.
The College of William & Mary – Raymond A. Mason School of Business
Overview
The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary offers an MBA program that is known for its personalized approach, strong leadership training, and focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the program emphasizes real-world experience, with students engaging in consulting projects, internships, and case competitions throughout their time in the program.
The full-time MBA at William & Mary is a two-year program that offers a core curriculum covering subjects like finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as entrepreneurship, business analytics, and consulting. The program is highly collaborative, with small class sizes that foster close relationships between students and faculty. Additionally, William & Mary offers an Executive MBA (EMBA) and a Flex MBA for working professionals.
A key feature of the William & Mary MBA program is its emphasis on leadership development and career services. The program’s Leadership Development Experience (LDE) helps students refine their leadership skills through coaching, simulations, and team projects. The school also offers a variety of global immersion opportunities, allowing students to gain international business experience.
BusinessWeek Ranking
- William & Mary’s MBA program is ranked among the top 50 MBA programs in the U.S. by BusinessWeek, with a strong focus on leadership and sustainability.
Number of Students
- Approximately 120 full-time MBA students.
Acceptance Rate
- The acceptance rate is around 35%, making it a competitive program.
Average GMAT Score
- The average GMAT score for admitted students is 640, though waivers are available for students with significant work experience.
Top Hiring Companies
- IBM
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Deloitte
- Capital One
- Northrop Grumman
Average Starting Salaries
- Graduates of the William & Mary MBA program typically earn starting salaries of $105,000 per year, with additional bonuses and performance incentives.
Notable Alumni
- Robert Gates: Former U.S. Secretary of Defense.
- Jill Ellis: Former head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.
- James Comey: Former Director of the FBI.
Virginia Tech – Pamplin College of Business
Overview
Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business offers a highly regarded MBA program with a strong focus on technology, innovation, and leadership. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, Pamplin’s MBA program is designed to provide students with a well-rounded business education while allowing them to specialize in fields like information technology, business analytics, and entrepreneurship.
Pamplin offers several MBA formats, including a full-time MBA, a Professional MBA (PMBA), and an Executive MBA (EMBA). The full-time MBA can be completed in two years and includes core courses in finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, along with numerous electives that allow students to tailor their education to their career goals. The Professional and Executive MBA programs are designed for working professionals and provide flexibility in scheduling, allowing students to continue working while earning their degree.
One of the standout features of the Pamplin MBA program is its emphasis on technology and innovation. Virginia Tech’s strong engineering and technology programs provide MBA students with opportunities to engage in cross-disciplinary projects, making it an excellent choice for students interested in tech and innovation-driven industries.
BusinessWeek Ranking
- Pamplin is ranked among the top 75 MBA programs in the U.S. by BusinessWeek, with strong recognition for its focus on technology and innovation.
Number of Students
- Approximately 100 full-time MBA students.
Acceptance Rate
- The acceptance rate is around 50%, making it an accessible but competitive program.
Average GMAT Score
- The average GMAT score for admitted students is 630, though waivers are available for candidates with extensive work experience.
Top Hiring Companies
- Amazon
- Deloitte
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Accenture
- Lockheed Martin
Average Starting Salaries
- Graduates of the Pamplin MBA program typically earn starting salaries of around $95,000 per year, with additional signing bonuses and performance incentives.
Notable Alumni
- John Thompson: Former CEO of Symantec and Chairman of Microsoft.
- Timothy Sands: President of Virginia Tech.
- Mark Crain: CFO of Blackbaud.
George Mason University – School of Business
Overview
George Mason University’s School of Business offers an MBA program that emphasizes global business, leadership, and innovation. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., George Mason’s MBA program provides students with access to a diverse business community and numerous career opportunities in the nation’s capital. The program is AACSB-accredited, ensuring a high-quality education that is globally recognized.
George Mason offers a full-time MBA, a Professional MBA (PMBA), and an Executive MBA (EMBA), allowing students to choose the format that best suits their needs. The full-time MBA can be completed in two years and includes core business courses in finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, with the option to specialize in areas such as global business, entrepreneurship, and business analytics. The Professional and Executive MBA programs offer evening and weekend classes for working professionals.
One of the defining features of George Mason’s MBA program is its focus on global business. The school offers numerous global residency opportunities, where students can travel abroad to study international business practices firsthand. Additionally, George Mason’s location near Washington, D.C., provides students with access to top employers in government, defense, consulting, and technology.
BusinessWeek Ranking
- George Mason’s MBA program is ranked among the top 100 MBA programs in the U.S. by BusinessWeek, with recognition for its global business focus.
Number of Students
- Approximately 150 full-time MBA students.
Acceptance Rate
- The acceptance rate is around 60%, making it a relatively accessible program.
Average GMAT Score
- The average GMAT score for admitted students is 610, though waivers are available for students with significant work experience or advanced degrees.
Top Hiring Companies
- Northrop Grumman
- Lockheed Martin
- Deloitte
- Capital One
- Booz Allen Hamilton
Average Starting Salaries
- Graduates of George Mason’s MBA program typically earn starting salaries of $90,000 per year, with opportunities for growth in consulting, government, and technology sectors.
Notable Alumni
- Anousheh Ansari: Co-founder and CEO of Prodea Systems and the first female private space explorer.
- Peter Barris: Managing General Partner at New Enterprise Associates.
- John Hillen: Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs.
James Madison University – College of Business
Overview
James Madison University’s (JMU) College of Business offers an MBA program that is particularly known for its strong focus on leadership, business analytics, and technology management. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, JMU’s MBA program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in business management while emphasizing ethical decision-making and leadership development.
JMU offers several MBA formats, including a Professional MBA (PMBA) that is delivered in a hybrid format, with both online and in-person classes. The program is designed to be completed in two years, making it ideal for working professionals. The curriculum includes core courses in finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, with the option to specialize in areas such as innovation, business analytics, and executive leadership.
A key feature of JMU’s MBA program is its affordability and flexibility. The hybrid format allows students to balance their studies with their careers, while the small class sizes ensure personalized attention from faculty. JMU also offers a unique focus on ethical leadership, preparing graduates to make a positive impact in their organizations and communities.
BusinessWeek Ranking
- JMU’s MBA program is not ranked in BusinessWeek’s top 50 but is recognized for its focus on leadership and business analytics.
Number of Students
- Approximately 60 MBA students are enrolled in the program.
Acceptance Rate
- The acceptance rate is around 65%, making it accessible to a wide range of students.
Average GMAT Score
- The average GMAT score for admitted students is 580, though waivers are available for students with significant professional experience.
Top Hiring Companies
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Deloitte
- Northrop Grumman
- IBM
- Capital One
Average Starting Salaries
- Graduates of JMU’s MBA program typically earn starting salaries of around $85,000 per year, with opportunities for advancement in leadership and management roles.
Notable Alumni
- Phil Bigler: National Teacher of the Year.
- Scott Norwood: Former NFL placekicker.
- Tamera Mowry-Housley: Actress and entrepreneur.