Out of 7,295–a nearly 18% increase over last year–applicants, the Stanford Graduate School of Business welcomed 424 new students to its MBA Class of 2026. The report opens with the remarks, “We are dedicated to attracting high-potential leaders from a wide array of backgrounds and to fostering a supportive environment where all students can thrive. With our class size, each individual contributes meaningfully to the overall class profile which is intended to portray just a few of the dimensions that can shape your lived experience at Stanford GSB. Identity is multidimensional — as you consider some of the perspectives represented in the MBA Class of 2026, we invite you to reflect on the identities, intersections of identity, and experiences that contribute to your own worldview.”
Diverse Representation
Stanford GSB reports record international representation, with 39 percent of the class representing 72 different countries. Women make up 44 percent of the class, just two percent shy of last year’s class. Fifty-three percent of the class’s U.S. citizens and permanent residents identify as people of color, a three percent increase over last year. Under federal reporting guidelines, 30 percent identify as Asian, eight percent as Black/African American, and seven percent as Hispanic/Latino. Seven percent reported as multi-race.
| Women | 44% |
| U.S. Students of Color | 53% |
| International Students | 39% |
| Average Work Experience | 5.1 years |
Academic and Professional Background
This year’s class holds degrees from 175 different academic institutions. Sixteen percent hold advanced degrees. Thirty-one percent had majored in engineering during their undergraduate years, followed by 20 percent in economics. Eighteen percent had majored in business/commerce followed by 16 percent in the social sciences. Ten percent earned degrees in math/sciences and five percent in arts/humanities. All together, their average undergraduate GPA landed at a strong 3.75.
| Average Undergraduate GPA | 3.75 |
| Percent majoring in engineering | 31% |
| Percent majoring in economics | 20% |
| Percent majoring in business/commerce | 18% |
| Percent majoring in social sciences | 16% |
| Percent majoring in math or science | 10% |
Fifty-eight percent of the class submitted GMAT scores and 42 percent submitted GRE scores, with some students submitting scores from both tests. While the average GMAT score of the Class of 2026 matched last year’s impressive 738, the Stanford MBA program does not require a minimum score for applicants. The range of GMAT scores landed at 560 to 790. The average GRE scores for the new Stanford MBA Class of 2026 came in at 164 for Quant and 163 for Verbal.
| Average GMAT Score | 738 |
| GMAT Score Range | 560-790 |
| GRE Quant Average | 164 |
| GRE Verbal Average | 163 |
The new Stanford MBAs matriculated with an average of 5.1 years of work experience. Twenty percent came from consulting and another 19 percent had worked in investment management, private equity, or venture capital roles. Fourteen percent of the class hailed from the technology sector. Nine percent of the class previously worked in government, education, or the nonprofit sector while seven percent have worked in consumer products and services.
