Any successful businessperson knows that to succeed in the corporate world, you have to take risks. Whether this means applying for a job you might not get, or taking on a challenging project, the saying holds true: with no risk, comes no reward.
For business undergrads, the first real big risk in their young careers is sending out applications to MBA programs. The bold who aim high are often the ones rewarded with acceptance letters to prestigious programs.
The risk for students in choosing this path is that, for elite business schools, the odds are stacked against them to get accepted.
With that in mind, StartClass has identified the 25 business schools with the lowest acceptance rates.
The self-reported data comes from each business school’s individual website. We’ve included each school’s Smart Rank, which is a weighted average of business school rankings awarded by six publications: Business Insider, Businessweek, The Economist, The Financial Times, Forbes and U.S. News. Multiple years are taken into account to measure consistency over time.
Though these might not be the 25 highest-ranked MBA programs, they are definitely the pickiest when it comes to admitting students.
#25. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Business
Acceptance rate: 25.5 percent
Total number of applicants: 683
This institution combines academic rigor with a strong focus on technological innovation, maintaining a challenging 25.5% acceptance rate.
#24. Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Acceptance rate: 25.1 percent
Total number of applicants: 3,453
Known for its collaborative culture, Fuqua maintains a selective 25.1% acceptance rate, emphasizing diversity and global awareness.
#23. University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business
Acceptance rate: 24.9 percent
Total number of applicants: 535
Katz prides itself on a practical, experience-based approach to business education, with a 24.9% acceptance rate.
#22. University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management
Acceptance rate: 24.8 percent
Total number of applicants: 214
Isenberg offers a cutting-edge curriculum with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, boasting a 24.8% acceptance rate.
#21. Arizona State University Carey School of Business
Acceptance rate: 24.5 percent
Total number of applicants: 477
Carey is celebrated for its emphasis on sustainability and ethical leadership, with a selective 24.5% acceptance rate.
#20. University of Florida Hough Graduate School of Business (Wharrington)
Acceptance rate: 24 percent
Total number of applicants: 221
Hough stands out for its specialized programs in real estate and entrepreneurship, maintaining a 24% acceptance rate.
#19. Penn State University Smeal College of Business
Acceptance rate: 24 percent
Total number of applicants: 541
Smeal is recognized for its commitment to integrity and sustainability, offering a rigorous MBA program with a 24% acceptance rate.
#18. Yale School of Management
Acceptance rate: 23.7 percent
Total number of applicants: 2,756
With a 23.7% acceptance rate, Yale emphasizes integrated curriculum and global studies, preparing students for leadership in a complex world.
#17. Texas A&M University Mays Business School
Acceptance rate: 23.6 percent
Total number of applicants: 525
Mays focuses on creating a transformative learning experience, fostering innovation with a 23.6% acceptance rate.
#16. University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Acceptance rate: 23.5 percent
Total number of applicants: 4,175
Booth’s analytical and flexible curriculum fosters an environment of inquiry, maintaining a 23.5% acceptance rate.
#15. Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
Acceptance rate: 23.2 percent
Total number of applicants: 4,652
Kellogg, with a 23.2% acceptance rate, is known for its strong emphasis on teamwork and leadership development.
#14. University of Washington Foster School of Business
Acceptance rate: 22.9 percent
Total number of applicants: 1,025
Foster prioritizes experiential learning and global business, reflected in its 22.9% acceptance rate.
#13. Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business
Acceptance rate: 22.7 percent
Total number of applicants: 427
Scheller integrates technology and business, preparing students for the digital age with a 22.7% acceptance rate.
#12. UC Irvine Merage School of Business
Acceptance rate: 22.7 percent
Total number of applicants: 866
Merage stands out for its focus on digital innovation and strategy, offering a challenging environment with a 22.7% acceptance rate.
#11. Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business
Acceptance rate: 22.2 percent
Total number of applicants: 643
D’Amore-McKim emphasizes experiential learning and global immersion, boasting a 22.2% acceptance rate.
#10. Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business
Acceptance rate: 22.1 percent
Total number of applicants: 2,437
Tuck offers a close-knit community and personalized education, with a 22.1% acceptance rate, focusing on personal and professional growth.
#9. University of Pennsylvania Wharton Business School
Acceptance rate: 20.7 percent
Total number of applicants: 6,111
Wharton, known for its pioneering research and leadership development, maintains a competitive 20.7% acceptance rate, setting a benchmark in business education.
#8. Columbia Business School
Acceptance rate: 18.2 percent
Total number of applicants: 5,799
With an 18.2% acceptance rate, Columbia leverages its New York City location to integrate theory and practice, preparing students for global leadership roles.
#7. NYU Stern Business School
Acceptance rate: 18.1 percent
Total number of applicants: 3,890
Stern, with an 18.1% acceptance rate, excels in finance and global business, offering students unparalleled access to industry leaders.
#6. UCLA Anderson School of Management
Acceptance rate: 17.8 percent
Total number of applicants: 4,129
Anderson emphasizes innovation and global reach, with a 17.8% acceptance rate, preparing students to lead in a rapidly changing business landscape.
#5. UC Davis Graduate School of Management
Acceptance rate: 15.3 percent
Total number of applicants: 359
With a focus on sustainable management and entrepreneurship, UC Davis offers a tight-knit academic environment with a 15.3% acceptance rate.
#4. MIT Sloan Business School
Acceptance rate: 13.8 percent
Total number of applicants: 4,735
Sloan stands at the forefront of management science and innovation, with a 13.8% acceptance rate, driving progress in global industries.
#3. UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Acceptance rate: 13.2 percent
Total number of applicants: 3,475
Haas, known for its emphasis on ethical leadership and innovation, offers a rigorous curriculum with a 13.2% acceptance rate.
#2. Harvard School of Business
Acceptance rate: 11 percent
Total number of applicants: 9,543
As a beacon of excellence, Harvard, with an 11% acceptance rate, shapes leaders who make a difference globally, known for its case method approach.
#1. Stanford Graduate School of Business
Acceptance rate: 7.1 percent
Total number of applicants: 7,355
Stanford, the most selective with a 7.1% acceptance rate, is synonymous with cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, shaping future industry leaders.
Wrapping Up
The journey to being part of the world’s most selective business schools is no small feat. These institutions set the bar high, not just in terms of acceptance rates but also in the quality and innovation of their business education.
Aspiring to join such elite schools is a bold step toward a rewarding career in business.