Darden is number 10 on the overall ranking of US business schools. The Charlottesville-based school is known for a commitment to producing well-rounded leaders who can excel in any industry. Darden’s general management curriculum is highly-regarded. The school also relies on a case-study method of teaching, requiring students to analyze cases, develop arguments, and participate in the classroom discussion. “The academics incorporate a real world mentality rather than seeking to find the ‘right’ answer,” according to one recent graduate. “My confidence in being able to synthesize and present data in front of a large audience has increased tremendously.”
Of the five indexes this ranking is based on — Compensation, Learning, Networking, Entrepreneurship and Inclusion — Virginia (Darden) ranked 4th in Compensation, 19th in Networking, 22nd in Entrepreneurship, 24th in Learning and 44th in Inclusion. Index scores are based on student and alumni survey responses as well as salary data the school reports to MBA CSEA.
Index Ranks
Index Scores
Student Population
The breakdown below is compared with other US schools. Collected gender and non-binary data is for all students in the newest class, which for most schools is the Class of 2026. Darden reported 61% male and 39% female/non-binary.
Gender and Race Breakdown Among US Students, Compared with Other US Schools - Virginia (Darden)
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Visit Inclusion Index page for more data. Gender is for whole class. Race data only for US students.
Bloomberg also collects data on race and ethnicity from US schools — they provide us with percentages of the first-year class of American students for the following groups: White, Black, Asian, American Indian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic (of any race). These groups are categorized as such by the schools when submitting data to the federal government.
Hires by Industry
Darden sent the majority of its recent MBA graduates, those with jobs, into Consulting Industry, Financial Services and Technology Industry.
Percent of Hires in Each Industry (Top 3) - Virginia (Darden)
Compensation by Industry
The median base salary across all industries reported by Darden graduates is $175,000; the median signing/starting bonus is $30,000.
Demographics
Survey respondents weigh in on their school’s population, answering broad questions about what campus life is like for female, LGBTQ, and minority students.
Campus Atmosphere - Virginia (Darden)
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