Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management MBA Class of 2026 profile has been released. The 524 incoming first-year students hail from a wide array of backgrounds and bring with them elite professional and academic achievements.
Diverse Class Demographics
The diversity of the MBA program is increasing for Kellogg year over year. The school achieved gender parity with this cohort, which is 50 percent women. International students make up 40 percent of the class, up from 38 percent last year. Students who identify as LGBTQ+ make up 11 percent, and six percent are U.S. military veterans.
| Women | 50% |
| International Students | 40% |
| U.S. Students of Color (Federal reporting guidelines) | 31% |
| Average Work Experience | 62 months |
Northwestern Kellogg uses both Federal guidelines and multi-dimensional reporting of race and ethnicity. Multi-dimensional reporting allows students of mixed race to report on the entirety of their background rather than choosing a single cultural identity. Under Federal guidelines, 21 percent identify as Asian American, five percent as Hispanic/Latinx, two percent as Black/African American and three percent as multi-race. Under multi-dimensional reporting, the class composition includes 24 percent Asian American students, 5 percent Hispanic/Latinx students and 3 percent Black/African American students.
Professional and Academic Achievement
The MBA Class of 2026 boasts an impressive academic record, with an average undergraduate GPA of 3.7. Test scores are also indicative of high achievement, with the average GMAT landing at 733, and the median GRE verbal and quant scores coming in at 162 and 163, respectively. This year, first-generation college students represent 10 percent of the class, a slight decrease from last year.
| Average GMAT Score | 733 |
| GMAT Score Range | 640 – 780 |
| GRE Quant Median | 163 |
| GRE Quant Range | 149 – 170 |
| GRE Verbal Median | 162 |
| GRE Verbal Range | 152 – 170 |
Kellogg remains a draw for economics and business majors, with nearly half (49 percent) of the incoming class holding a degree in those fields. STEM majors are also again heavily represented at 39 percent. Humanities majors make up another 24 percent of the class.
| Average Undergraduate GPA | 3.7 |
| Percent majoring in humanities | 24% |
| Percent majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math | 39% |
| Percent majoring in business/economics | 49% |
The cohort also matriculated with an average work experience of 62 months. Thirty-two percent were consulting professionals, and 18 percent worked in financial services. Tech professionals make up another 18 percent of the class, while those from a healthcare industry background make up 7 percent, and media and entertainment professionals make up 5 percent.
