Stanford GSB is one of the most selective business schools in the world, if not the most selective. During the 2022–2023 application season, Stanford GSB received 6,190 applications and accepted 521 individuals. This means that the acceptance rate in 2022–2023 was 8.4%. For comparison, Harvard Business School had an acceptance rate of 13.2% and Columbia Business School had an acceptance rate of 22.4%.

The first-year tuition at Stanford GSB in 2024–2025 is $82,455. The annual overall cost for a single student is estimated at $130,746 and $157,206 for married students. The overall costs include tuition, living expenses, housing, medical insurance, and health fees. The estimated cost does not include the global experience requirement fees.

Stanford GSB offers numerous need-blind financial aid options. The Class of 2023 received approximately $44,000 per year in financial aid.

Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School are both considered to be among the top MBA programs in the world. Both programs offer world-class business education experiences and consistently rank among the top five MBA programs in all of the most respected business school rankings. Stanford and Harvard both carry worldwide name recognition and prestige. Stanford is not part of the Ivy League, but both Stanford and Harvard are included in the “M7” that refers to the informal eight-school group of top MBA programs in the country.

To compare Stanford and Harvard would be nearly impossible, since both schools are unique in their approach. Consider what you are looking for in an MBA, including such aspects as curriculum, location, global experiences, and class size. Harvard and Stanford are not fit-for-all schools, but they may turn out to be a great fit for you.