Harvard v/s Stanford
The Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business are two of the world's most prestigious business schools. Even though both offer outstanding academics, their apparent distinctions result in diverse student experiences.
​ | Harvard Business School | Stanford Global Business School |
Tuition Fees | US $ 112,3590 | US $ 119,100 |
Average Graduate Salary | US $ 120,000 | US $ 129,692 |
The following parameters were used to compare the two business schools:
#1 - Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city located right over the Charles River from Boston. Cambridge is home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two of the world's most famous educational institutions, making it a hub of scholarly activity and higher education. Stanford lies in the heart of San Francisco's Silicon Valley, surrounded by tech giants such as Google, Facebook, and HP. Aside from the pleasant corporate atmosphere, GSB students like the lovely weather.
#2 - Rankings
Rankings | Harvard | Stanford |
Financial Times | 1 | 4 |
US News | 2 | 1 |
Bloomberg | 1 | 7 |
Forbes | 2 | 1 |
These MBA rankings support the international clout these two schools enjoy in every case.
#3 - Admissions and student selection
HBS's average GMAT score was 730, while the median GPA was 3.71 for the most recent class of students.
Stanford has a median GPA of 3.74 and an average GMAT score of 734.
As the acceptance rates illustrate, getting into GSB is quite tricky. It prefers candidates with some work/business experience over pretty new individuals. HBS, on the other hand, usually accepts applicants with little work experience but outstanding academic and other achievements.
#4 - Student intake
HBS has 928 students, with 42 percent female students and 35 percent international students. The acceptance rate is approximately 11%.
With 418 students, Stanford's GBS is smaller than Harvard's. Forty percent of those are female, and 41% are overseas students. The acceptance rate is approximately 5%.
#5 - Curriculum
Case study-based education is used at Harvard Business School, and students are exposed to 500 instances. Students with confidence and relational skills are brought together in this event. Students at Harvard gain real-world experience through Field Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development (FIELD) during the colder months of the year, working with a small group of their classmates in the real world and applying what they've learned.
Stanford has a more remarkable ability to adapt. It has a quarterly educational plan that is highly tailored. During their first year, it provides students with an introduction to General Management Perspective (eight courses) and General Management Foundation (eleven courses) and a global experience.
Stanford combines contextual analysis with addresses, group projects, and role play to provide a broader range of presentation styles than Harvard. As a result, Stanford allows students to learn in various methods while still learning well.
#6 - B-school life
Harvard has around 70 student groups and more than 200 administration positions in the Student Association. This allows you to cultivate lasting kinships while honing your administrative and relational skills.
Stanford: In addition to the student government, Stanford has over 70 understudy clubs and groups covering various issues from politics to athletics. The foundation's historical context means that many practices have been harmed up to this point, and the diversity of communities aids students in broadening their perspectives.
#7- Scholarship or financial aid
It will not be inexpensive to attend one of these top business schools. There are no merit-based scholarships available at any of the colleges. Both b-schools are generous with their financial aid. HBS has a need-dazzle affirmations strategy, with monetary honors depending on need. Sixty-five percent of HBS students get some form of financial aid, and the school has a need-dazzle affirmations strategy, with economic benefits being need-based.
Stanford GSB, on the other hand, provides need-based collaboration and credit to students.
Around 70% of GSB students get financial aid, with 58 percent receiving aid directly from Stanford University. Non-need-based credits are also available to all students. Students who enter the non-benefit area or public help areas might be qualified for credit absolution.
#8 - Placements and Salary
Harvard has a 46,000+ alumni network, whereas Stanford has 18,000+ alumni who can help students get jobs.
Both colleges excel at placing students in consulting and finance positions. After ten years, the average pay for HBS alumni is $136,700, while for Stanford's GBS alumni is $122,900.
HBS appears to have a broader position reach, both within and outside the United States, considering the marking. The West Coast dominates the image of GSB. Furthermore, the worldwide job market favors HBS over GSB, consistently the number one institution in the domestic US market. GSB is well-known for its top-notch placements in the technology and entrepreneurship fields.
Both universities will undoubtedly provide you with an excellent education and a bright future. However, it would be best to decide what suits you best based on your interests and plans.