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The Wharton School : Rankings, Fees, Courses, Acceptance Rate
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Last updated on 2 Dec '24, by Loveleen Sharma (Study Abroad Expert)UPenn Business & Management StudiesWhat’s new?
Deadlines at Wharton Business School for its Business and Management programs are mentioned below:
- MBA for Fall 2025 Entry:
- Round 1 Application deadline is closed, the decision date for Round 1 is Dec 10, 2024
- The round 2 Application deadline is Jan 3, 2025, the decision date is Apr 1, 2025
- Round 3 Application deadline is Apr 2, 2025, the decision date is May 13, 2025
- Deferred Deadline is Apr 23, 2025, the decision date is July 1, 2025
- Undergraduate Management Courses for Fall 2025 Entry:
- Early Decision Application is now closed for the year 2024-25
- Regular Decision Application Deadline is Jan 5, 2025.
- The students are required to apply through the Common app portal.
- About The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania
- The Wharton School Courses and Fees 2025
- UPenn Business & Management Studies Popular Programs
- UPenn Business & Management Studies Popular Courses
- The Wharton School Rankings 2025
- The Wharton School Admissions Dates 2025
- The Wharton School Admission Requirements 2025
- The Wharton School Placements 2025
- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania or Harvard Business School: Which is better?
- The Wharton School Campus Life
- The Wharton School Notable Alumni
- UPenn Business & Management Studies Students reviews
About The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School, located in Philadelphia and San Francisco, USA, is a Business school under the umbrella of the University of Pennsylvania also known as UPenn.
This B-School was established in 1881, by its namesake and donor, Joseph Wharton, a co-founder of Bethlehem Steel. Wharton holds its reputation as the world’s oldest collegiate business school. The main campus of Wharton Business School in Philadelphia was established in the 1870s, and it covers over 300 acres of landscaping. It is one of the four schools of the University of Pennsylvania, which is accredited by the International Association for Management Education (AACSB). The AACSB is a prestigious accreditation which is held by a very few schools in India.
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is a private university with a 143-year-old rich cultural history. With the motto of Knowledge for Action, this B-School ranks #1 in the list of 124 best Business Schools worldwide, by US World and News 2024. Joseph Wharton donated USD 100,000 to The Wharton School. The first name of this B-School was Wharton School of Finance and Economy from 1881 to 1902.
A diverse range of Business and Management courses are offered at The Wharton School, including MBA in multiple specializations, Doctoral programs, and Undergraduate Management with Economics, Executive MBA, etc. Some of the values and commitments that Wharton cherishes are innovate, elevate, and collaborate. These Wharton values make this B-School inclusive where students from all walks of life can be seen collaborating. An Executive Career placement cell also exists within the campus which helps students land placements in the world’s most renowned companies and sectors, and the impact of this career cell is that 98.7% of the Wharton MBA class of 2022 sought employment with a median annual base salary of USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr). For the MBA class 2023, 97.2% of all the Wharton MBA students sought employment with an average median annual salary of USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr).
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Things to Know about The Wharton School
With an alumni network of over 105,000 students scattered over the world in various industries such as consulting, financing, and technology, Wharton boasts its large network and the impact made by its graduates. Well renowned for its extensive courses with industry-relevant curriculum, this school offers diverse programs under the Management and Business domain with great flexibility. Indicating Wharton’s commitment to the lifelong professional connection with their Alumni, there are 77 clubs present to this date in 153 countries of the world.
Here are some more highlights for The Wharton School:
|
The Wharton School (MBA) |
Validation |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance Rate (MBA Class 2026) |
11.8% |
|
US World and News Ranking (2024) |
1 |
|
Known for |
Industry-relevant knowledge, flexible programs, Notable Alumni, and their research centers |
|
Nobel Laureates |
1 (Professor Lawrence Klein) |
|
Class Size (2026) |
866 |
|
Placement Rate (2023) |
97.2% |
|
Average GMAT Score (Class 2026) |
732 |
|
Average Package after graduating (2023) |
USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) |
|
Average GRE Quant Score (Class 2026) |
163 |
|
Average GRE Verbal Score (Class 2026) |
162 |
|
Average GPA (Class 2026) |
3.7 on a scale of 4.0 |
|
Average Work Experience (Class 2026) |
5 Years |
|
Average Signing Bonus (2022-23) |
USD 30,000 (INR 25.3 L) |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is focused on inclusion, and making the world a better place where everyone gets equal opportunities to learn and grow with their Business and Management programs. This is what the Wharton MBA Class of 2026 looks like:
|
Diversity and Enrolment Breakdown Class 2026 |
Data |
|---|---|
|
Women |
47% |
|
International |
31% |
|
LGBTQ+ |
10% |
|
Military Veterans |
4% |
|
First Generation |
11% |
|
Countries Represented |
65 |
According to the official website, out of the entire MBA class profile 2026, 31% of the students are International, indicating their commitment towards inclusion, and 11% of all the students are the first generation students which shows that the students from all walks of life coming from diverse economic backgrounds and various industries are accepted to the school to pursued MBA.
Business professionals from all over the world coming from different fields are admitted to the Masters of Business Administration program offered by The Wharton School.
Below are the detailed Pre-MBA Industries details of the students enrolled at Wharton for the MBA class 2026:
|
Pre-MBA Industries of Wharton 2026 MBA class profile |
Percentage of the MBA Class |
|---|---|
|
Consulting |
28% |
|
Technology |
10% |
|
Financial Services |
5% |
|
Other/Energy/Law |
1% |
|
Government/Education/Impact/Public Sector |
11% |
|
Healthcare |
4% |
|
Marketing/CPG |
2% |
|
Retail |
1% |
|
Media/Entertainment |
1% |
|
Real Estate |
1% |
|
Investment Banking |
9% |
Out of all the MBA graduates in 2023 given by The Wharton School, 97.2% were able to receive an offer letter from various companies, and 92.3% accepted the offers.
The below table sheds more light on the industries Wharton MBA graduates secured placements:
|
Industries |
Wharton MBA Graduates’ Placement (Class 2023) |
|---|---|
|
Healthcare |
5.4% |
|
Consulting |
28.8% |
|
Energy |
1.3% |
|
Financial Services |
36.7% |
|
Entertainment & Media |
1.3% |
|
Consumer Products |
0.9% |
|
Technology |
13.5% |
Read more: Wharton MBA 2023 Employment Report
Commonly asked questions On About Business & Management Studies
Q: What are the benefits of attending Wharton as a business school?
The B-School is famous for its strong connections and the reputation in the Business and Management world. The Wharton MBA benefits are: a student gets an instant recognition, becomes part of a large community around the world, and gets a chance to have the most amazing college life. The Wharton Placement rate for the class 2023 was 97.2% which indicates the value of education at this school. The top companies which hired the Wharton MBA graduates include: Ab Bernstein, Activision Blizzard, Adobe Inc. Alixpartners, Alpine Investors etc.
Q: How difficult is it to do an MBA from Wharton as an Indian?
This B-School is particularly famous among international students because of the factors like research opportunities, creative curriculum, career opportunities and supportive community. Due to all these factors, the Business and Management enthusiasts apply to this School from all around the world, which makes it competitive and ambitious B-School to get into. The Wharton School acceptance rate stands at 11.8 % for the MBA Class of 2026, which makes this B-School hard to get into. This low acceptance rate suggests that out of every 100 applications, only 11 to 12 students are rolled out an offer.
Although, it is not impossible to get into an MBA programme at Wharton from India. It is expected of an Indian student to achieve these scores mentioned in the table to put their best foot forward in the Wharton application process.
These are the average scores that the Wharton MBA Class 2026 had:
Wharton MBA Class 2026 Exams | Average Scores |
|---|---|
Average GMAT Score | 732 |
Average GRE Quant Score | 163 |
Average GRE Verbal Score | 162 |
Average GPA | 3.7 on a scale of 4.0 |
The Wharton School MBA Requirements as an International student:
· A four years Bachelor's Degree from Accredited university
· Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
· English Proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL, PTE/Duo lingo English Test), (If a student has studied from an institution where the medium of instruction wasn't English)
· An online application
· Letters of Recommendation (Submit at least 2 with one being of current supervisor or manager)
· Work Experience of minimum 2 years (Preferred)
· Essay
· Standardized Entrance test scores (GMAT/GRE)
Q: Is the Wharton MBA worth it?
The MBA programs at The Wharton School are ranked at #1 by the US World and News ranking body (2024) among the best Management programs worldwide. Yes, the Wharton MBA is worth it due to several factors including the worldwide degree recognition, high employability, and Business and Management skills mastery. The Wharton MBA graduates of class 2023 are placed in some of the top companies of the world Ab Bernstein, Activision Blizzard, Adobe Inc. Alixpartners, Alpine Investors with an average median package of USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) with the first year tuition cost of USD 84,830 (INR 71.5 L) for Wharton MBA. Not to mention the long term career benefits.
The Wharton School has received a grade of A+ as an overall university (University of Penn), on Shiksha grading based on several relevant factors.
The table below shows the Ranking of various Subjects offered by The Wharton Business School by US World and News ranking body.
Ranked by | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
Entrepreneurship MBA | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Finance MBA | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Graduate Business School | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Information Systems MBA | 17 | 9 | Not Given |
MBA Business Analytics | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Mechanical Engineering PG | 23 | 17 | 17 |
Supply Chain Management MBA | 17 | 15 | 14 |
UG Business | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The Wharton School Courses and Fees 2025
The Wharton School Undergraduate Business and Management Programs:
- Wharton Undergraduate Program (BS in Economics)
- The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business (BS/BA)
- The Jerome Program in International Studies and Business (BS/BA)
- The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management (BA/BS)
- Nursing & Health care Management (BA/BS)
- Additional Dual Degrees: Choose from 50 areas of study at Penn’s 3 undergrad schools: The College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Nursing, and the School of Engineering & Applied Science
The Wharton School graduate MBA Programs
- MBA Program (MBA)
- MBA Program for Executives (MBA)
- Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies (MBA/MA)
- Francis J. & Wm. Polk Carey JD/MBA Program (JD/MBA)
- Wharton/School of Advanced International Studies (MBA/MA)
- Wharton/Engineering (MBA/SEAS)
- Wharton/Kennedy School of Government (MBA/MPA, MBA/MPA/ID, MBA/MPP)
- Additional Dual Degrees: MBA with Biotechnology, Design, Education, Engineering, Law, Medical Sciences, Nursing, and Social Work.
The Wharton School Doctoral Programs
- Accounting
- Applied Economics
- Ethics & Legal Studies
- Finance
- Health Care Management & Economics etc.
The Wharton School Course Fees 2025
The Wharton MBA application fee is USD 275 (INR 23,211) for submitting an application via the official portal of the University, and USD 75 (USD 6,330) for the Undergraduate Management programs via the Common App portal. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable in case of a rejection. A Wharton MBA can cost an international student around USD 254,432 (INR 2.14 Cr).
Here is a table showing Wharton MBA first-year tuition according to the specializations:
|
MBA Programs |
Tuition Costs |
|---|---|
|
Business Administration |
INR 70.93L |
|
Finance |
INR 70.93L |
|
Education Entrepreneurship |
INR 54L |
|
Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
INR 70.93L |
|
Organizational Dynamics |
INR 35L |
|
International MPA |
INR 54L |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MBA/PGDM(6 courses) | INR 36 L - 71 L | Duration: 1 year-24 months Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 100 & Above, GMAT, GRE |
BBA(18 courses) | INR 51 L - 58 L | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo |
MIM(3 courses) | INR 36 L - 55 L | Duration: 1 year-24 months Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 100 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Q: How much does it cost to study in Wharton?
International students are required to pay tuition and fees to study Business and Management at this B-School. The Wharton MBA first tuition fee at this B-School ranges between INR 35 L and 71 L for various specialisations.
It is apparent from the tables below that the total tuition and fee to complete Wharton MBA can cost an international student around USD 254,432 (INR 2.14 Cr). Although the tuition cost varies as per the programme sand the specialisation that a student is choosing.
The table below shows the first year course fee of Wharton MBA courses:
MBA Fee Components | Cost |
|---|---|
Tuition | USD 84,830 (INR 71 L) |
University Fees | USD 4,670 (INR 3.94 L) |
Living Expenses | USD 33,804 (INR 28.5 L) |
Health Insurance | USD 4,412 (INR 3.72 L) |
Total | USD 127,716 (INR 1.07 Cr) |
Second year course fee of Wharton MBA courses:
MBA Fee Components | Cost |
|---|---|
Tuition | USD 83,830 (INR 70.7 L) |
University Fees | USD 4,670 (INR 3.94 L) |
Living Expenses. | USD 33,804 (INR 28.5 L) |
Health Insurance | USD 4,412 (INR 3.72 L) |
Total | USD 126,716 |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Q: What is the living cost of Wharton?
The Wharton School is the B-School of the University of Pennsylvania, which is situated in Philadelphia. Living expenses make up a 26% of the total Wharton MBA expenses which is indeed a significant part of the total cost to be borne by a student. The Wharton living expenses can be USD 33,804 (INR 28.5 L) a year for an international student.
Mentioned below is the table showing all the fee components that make up the entire cost of Wharton MBA:
MBA Fee Components | Cost |
|---|---|
Tuition | USD 84,830 (INR 71 L) |
University Fees | USD 4,670 (INR 3.94 L) |
Living Expenses | USD 33,804 (INR 28.5 L) |
Health Insurance | USD 4,412 (INR 3.72 L) |
Total | USD 127,716 (INR 1.07 Cr) |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
A big chunk of the living expenses goes to the accommodation rent. The Wharton on-campus rent is higher than off-campus. For Housing at Wharton, the students have many options:
· On Campus: The Wharton provides On-campus housing options to all its students and the rooms are well air conditioned and amenities such as bathroom, beds, and close proximity to colleges and classes as these college houses are at the centre location of the University of Penn. These on-campus housing options can cost a first year student USD 12,640 (INR 10.6 L), and USD 16,580 (INR 13.9 L) a year for Upper classes such as MBA.
· Off-Campus housing: The city of Philadelphia is filled with options of affordable stays near Wharton. If a student isn't able to pay for on campus housing as off-campus housing can be considered a bit costly by many. The students are suggested to join Facebook groups, talk to the current students by reaching them on linked in, or take help of real estate apps such as Zillow prior to their stay. Although the average rent per month near Wharton excluding utilities and food can cost a student USD 1,396 (INR 1.17 L), but the apartment can have rented in sharing as most of the Indians who are studying at Wharton choose this option.
Q: # What is taught at Wharton?
Both the options are available, the students can pursue these programs online and offline, which makes it quite flexible for the learners from various industries and backgrounds.
The Wharton School Undergraduate Business and Management Programs:
· Wharton Undergraduate Program (BS in Economics)
· The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business (BS/BA)
· The Jerome Program in International Studies and Business (BS/BA)
· The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management (BA/BS)
· Nursing & Health care Management (BA/BS)
· Additional Dual Degrees: Choose from 50 areas of study at Penn's 3 undergrad schools: The College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Nursing, and the School of Engineering & Applied Science
The Wharton School graduate MBA Programs
· MBA Program (MBA)
· MBA Program for Executives (MBA)
· Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies (MBA/MA)
· Francis J. & Wm. Polk Carey JD/MBA Program (JD/MBA)
· Wharton/School of Advanced International Studies (MBA/MA)
· Wharton/Engineering (MBA/SEAS)
· Wharton/Kennedy School of Government (MBA/MPA, MBA/MPA/ID, MBA/MPP)
· Additional Dual Degrees: MBA with Biotechnology, Design, Education, Engineering, Law, Medical Sciences, Nursing, and Social Work.
The Wharton School Doctoral Programs
· Accounting
· Applied Economics
· Ethics & Legal Studies
· Finance
· Health Care Management & Economics
· Management
· Marketing
· Operations, Information Management, & Decision Processes
· Statistics
UPenn Business & Management StudiesPopular Programs
1
UPenn Business & Management StudiesPopular Courses
- 1
- 2
The Wharton School Rankings 2025
Widely popular among Business and Management enthusiasts all over the world, the Wharton School ranking stays high in the list of the best Business schools. According to US World and News, the Business programs of the University of Pennsylvania which are provided under Wharton, are ranked #1 among the 124 best trade schools in the world. The QS ranking on the other hand has given the UPenn Wharton School, #2 rank consecutively for two years, 2025 and 2024. The ranking is decided based on the return on investment, thought leadership, entrepreneurial & Alumni outcomes, employability, and diversity, based on these parameters, the Wharton School has received a score of 99.8 out of 100.
On Shiksha Official Website, the Wharton School receives a grade of A++ for its Business and Management programs.
The table below shows the Ranking of various Subjects offered by The Wharton Business School by the US World and News ranking body 2024:
|
Ranked by |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Entrepreneurship MBA |
6 |
6 |
8 |
|
Finance MBA |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Graduate Business School |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Information Systems MBA |
17 |
9 |
Not Given |
|
MBA Business Analytics |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
Mechanical Engineering PG |
23 |
17 |
17 |
|
Supply Chain Management MBA |
17 |
15 |
14 |
|
UG Business |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Q: Is Wharton better than Harvard?
Despite of, both the B-Schools are top notch and considered the best in the world, The Wharton School by Penn ranks #2, and Harvard Business School ranks at #3 according to the rankings released by the QS World ranking body for the year 2025. If the consideration is employability, according to the employment report 2023 published by HBS, 86% of the students who were seeking employment received an offer letter, on the other hand 97.2% of the students seeking employment received an offer letter from The Wharton School of Business:
The table compares these two best Business schools in depth:
Criteria | Harvard Business School | The Wharton School |
|---|---|---|
Location | Boston, Massachusetts | Philadelphia, USA |
Average Starting Salary | USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) | USD 175,000 (1.47 Cr) |
Sign-On Bonus | USD 30,000 (INR 25 L) | USD 30,000 (INR 25 L) |
Acceptance Rate (Class 2026) | 9.43% | 11.8% |
Tuition (MBA) | USD 76,410 (INR 64.5 L) | USD 84,830 (INR 71.6 L) |
Return on Investment (ROI) Based on the Data of first year tuition fee and the average median salary | 229% | 206.2% |
Top Companies Hiring | · JP Morgan Chase · Nike · Glossier · L'Oréal | · Ab Bernstein · Activision Blizzard · Adobe Inc. · Alixpartners · Alpine Investors
|
Ranking (QS World 2025) | #3 | #2 |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Q: What is Wharton global rank?
Widely popular among the Business and Management enthusiasts all over the world, the Wharton School ranking stay high in the list of the best Business schools. According to US World and News, the Business programs of the University of Pennsylvania which are provided under Wharton, are ranked #1 among the 124 best trade schools of the world. The QS ranking on the other hand has given the UPenn Wharton School, #2 rank consecutively for two years, 2025 and 2024. The ranking is decided based on the return of investment, thought leadership, entrepreneurial & Alumni outcomes, employability, and diversity, based on these parameters, the Wharton School has received a score of 99.8 out of 100.
On Shiksha Official Website, the Wharton School receives a grade of A+ for its Business and Management programs.
The table below shows the Ranking of various Subjects offered by The Wharton Business School by US World and News ranking body.
Ranked by | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
Entrepreneurship MBA | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Finance MBA | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Graduate Business School | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Information Systems MBA | 17 | 9 | Not Given |
MBA Business Analytics | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Mechanical Engineering PG | 23 | 17 | 17 |
Supply Chain Management MBA | 17 | 15 | 14 |
UG Business | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Q: Is it tough to get into Wharton?
Wharton School of Business of Penn stays a compelling choice for the Business and Management enthusiasts worldwide. This B-school received a whopping number of 7,322 applications for their MBA programme for the class of 2026, out of which only 866 students received the offer letter. The Wharton placement rate according to the above mentioned data stands at 11.6%, which makes this school quite competitive.
As part of the Wharton admission process, a student has to demonstrate business rigor, commitment to the program, academic inclination, great scores and extra curriculum activities involvement. It is tough to get into Wharton, but if a student is able to meet the requirements mentioned, it is not impossible. Below mentioned are the basic requirements for Wharton MBA application:
· A four years Bachelor's Degree from Accredited university
· Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
· English Proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL, PTE/Duo lingo English Test), (If a student has studied from an institution where the medium of instruction wasn't English)
· An online application
· Letters of Recommendation (Submit at least 2 with one being of current supervisor or manager)
· Work Experience of minimum 2 years (Preferred)
· Essay
· Standardized Entrance test scores (GMAT/GRE)
This is how a student can make their Wharton MBA application strong:
Wharton MBA Class 2026 Exams | Average Scores |
|---|---|
Average GMAT Score | 732 |
Average GRE Quant Score | 163 |
Average GRE Verbal Score | 162 |
Average GPA | 3.7 on a scale of 4.0 |
Average Work Experience | 5 years |
The Wharton School Admissions Dates 2025
The Business and Management courses at The Wharton School have a round system for admissions. The deadlines for most of its programs stay the same generally. Here are the Wharton MBA Admission deadlines for 2025:
|
Wharton MBA Rounds |
Application Deadline |
Interview Invitations |
Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Round 1 |
Closed |
Sent |
December 10, 2024 |
|
Round 2 |
Jan 3, 2025 |
Feb 19, 2025 |
Apr 1, 2025 |
|
Round 3 |
Apr 2, 2025 |
Apr 18, 2025 |
May 13, 2025 |
|
Deferred Admissions Round |
Apr 23, 2025 |
May 29, 2025 |
Jul 1, 2025 |
Below mentioned are the Wharton Executive MBA (EMBA) Application deadlines2025:
|
Wharton Executive MBA Rounds |
Application Deadline |
Interview Invitations |
Decision Release |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Round 1 |
Closed |
Nov 18, 2024 |
Dec 19, 2024 |
|
Round 2 |
Jan 14, 2025 |
Feb 20, 2025 |
Mar 27, 2025 |
Wharton Undergraduate Management Programs Application deadlines 2025:
|
Wharton UG Management Courses |
Application Deadline |
|---|---|
|
Early Decision Deadline |
Closed, Nov, 2025 (Tentative) |
|
Regular Decision Deadline |
Jan 5, 2025 |
The Wharton School Admission Requirements 2025
The Wharton School MBA acceptance rate for the class of 2026 was 11.8%, meaning out of every 100 applications, only 11 to 12 students rolled out an offer letter, which makes it quite difficult to get admission at this B-School.
However, a student can get admission to this B-School by fulfilling the below-mentioned requirements:
The Wharton School MBA Requirements as an International Student:
- A four-year Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited university
- Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
- English Proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL, PTE/Duo lingo English Test), (If a student has studied at an institution where the medium of instruction wasn’t English)
- An online application
- Letters of Recommendation (Submit at least 2 with one being of current supervisor or manager)
- Work Experience of minimum 2 years (Preferred)
- Essay
- Standardized Entrance test scores (GMAT/GRE)
The Wharton School Undergraduate Requirements as an International student:
- Official transcripts
- English Proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL), scores (IELTS/TOEFL, PTE/Duo lingo English Test), (If a student has studied from an institution where the medium of instruction wasn’t English)
- An online application
- Letters of Recommendation (At least 2, by the superiors who can access the qualitative skills of the candidate)
- Standardized tests (SAT/ACT), optional for the 2024-25 admissions
- Extracurricular Activities
The Wharton School Admission Process 2025:
Step 1-Choose a program:
Step 2- Fill out the application form: Go to the official website
Step 3-Pay application fee: Students must pay the application fee of USD 275 (INR 23.213) for the UG, the Application fee is USD 75 (INR 6,331).
Step 4-Wait for a response: Wharton will review the application and within a few weeks they will provide an offer letter to join the program.
Step 5-Pay tuition fees: To get enrolled in the first semester, international students have to pay a non-refundable security fee of USD 2,000 (INR 1.68 L).
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Commonly asked questions On Admission Requirements
Q: Can I get into Wharton without work experience?
Wharton receives applications from all around the world and most of the MBA applications received demonstrate certain level of experience. MBA Class 2026 had an average prior experience of 5+ years in various industries. Although, Wharton accepts applications of the students without or minimum work experience in their early decision round.
A student must show the professional maturity and the Business acumen required to survive Wharton MBA, which can be demonstrated by mentioning any extracurricular activities, any leadership role, or volunteering for the social causes etc. Students must put a lot of work and thoughts into writing Wharton essay, which should be honest yet powerful.
Additionally, great scores in the exams such as GMAT/GRE, GPA can be crucial in the Wharton application process.
Below mentioned are the Wharton MBA class 2026 average scores in the exams mentioned above:
Wharton MBA Class 2026 Exams | Average Scores |
|---|---|
Average GMAT Score | 732 |
Average GRE Quant Score | 163 |
Average GRE Verbal Score | 162 |
Average GPA | 3.7 on a scale of 4.0 |
Q: What is the entrance rate for Wharton?
The Wharton School MBA acceptance rate for the class 2026 was 11.8%, meaning out of every 100 applications, only 11 to 12 students were rolled out an offer letter, which makes it quite difficult to get an admission at this B-School.
Although, a student can get admission to this B-School by fulfilling the below mentioned requirements:
The Wharton School MBA Requirements as an International student:
· A four years Bachelor's Degree from Accredited university
· Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
· English Proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL, PTE/Duo lingo English Test), (If a student has studied from an institution where the medium of instruction wasn't English)
· An online application
· Letters of Recommendation (Submit at least 2 with one being of current supervisor or manager)
· Work Experience of minimum 2 years (Preferred)
· Essay
· Standardized Entrance test scores (GMAT/GRE)
Q: Can I get into Wharton with 3.5 GPA?
Wharton MBA Acceptance rate for the Class 2026 stands at 11.8% which means it is a quite selective school, and they require a great deal of commitment for the program, academically and professionally robust individuals. The average GPA of MBA class 2026, was 3.7 on a scale of 4.0. Although, the students must not get discouraged from applying. If they are able to demonstrate the business acumen, professional maturity, and great work experience, they can surely study at Wharton.
The Wharton School MBA Requirements as an International student:
· A four years Bachelor's Degree from Accredited university
· Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
· English Proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL, PTE/Duo lingo English Test), (If a student has studied from an institution where the medium of instruction wasn't English)
· An online application
· Letters of Recommendation (Submit at least 2 with one being of current supervisor or manager)
· Work Experience of minimum 2 years (Preferred)
· Essay
· Standardized Entrance test scores (GMAT/GRE)
Q: How can I get admission in Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania if I am an Indian?
The most popular programme at Wharton is MBA. International students wishing to apply for the Wharton MBA program, should be ready with all the application process requirements mentioned, which requires the below mentioned exams and documents:
· A four years Bachelor's Degree from Accredited university
· Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
· English Proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL, PTE/Duo lingo English Test), (If a student has studied from an institution where the medium of instruction wasn't English)
· An online application
· Letters of Recommendation (Submit at least 2 with one being of current supervisor or manager)
· Work Experience of minimum 2 years (Preferred)
· Essay
· Standardized Entrance test scores (GMAT/GRE)
The Wharton School Placements 2025
The Wharton School Placement report of 2023 has been released, according to which out of 688 Wharton MBA Graduates who were seeking employment, 669 sought placements, and 635 students accepted the offer from companies, within three months of completion of the MBA program which makes it a whopping placement rate of 97.2%.
The graduates from The Wharton School are highly employable and skilled due to which they can land employment at companies such as Ab Bernstein, Activision Blizzard, Adobe Inc. Alixpartners, Alpine Investors, Alvarez & Marsal, Amazon, Apple, Arctos Sports Partners, Bain & Company etc.
Here are the highlights of placements of the Wharton MBA graduates class of 2023:
|
Wharton School MBA Class Particulars (2023) |
Data (2023) |
|---|---|
|
Average Median Base Salary |
USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) |
|
Average Sign on bonus |
USD 30,000 (INR 32 L) |
|
Average Guaranteed Sign-on bonus |
USD 30,000 (INR 32 L) |
|
Top Employers |
· Ab Bernstein · Activision Blizzard · Adobe Inc. · Alixpartners · Alpine Investors · Alvarez & Marsal · Amazon · Apple · Arctos Sports Partners · Bain & Company |
|
Students not seeking employment after graduation |
17.1% |
|
Students wishing to start their own Business |
4.25% |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Here is the table showing the top Industries Wharton MBA graduates were hired for:
|
Wharton MBA Graduates’ Top Industries (Class 2023) |
Percentage of MBA graduates |
|---|---|
|
Consulting |
28.8% |
|
Technology |
13.5% |
|
Financial Services |
37.3% |
|
Real Estate |
2.2% |
|
Entertainment & Media |
1.3% |
|
Legal and Professional Services |
5.4% |
|
Hedge Funds/Other Investments |
0.9% |
Please note that the median annual base salary was the highest for the industry of Legal and Professional Services which was a whopping compensation of USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr), followed by the Hedge Funds/Other Investments industry, with a compensation of USD 212,500 (INR 1.79 Cr).
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Q: What is the starting salary at Penn Wharton?
The Wharton School Placement report of 2023 has been released, according to which out of 688 MBA graduates who were seeking employment, 669 sought placements, and 635 students accepted the offer from companies, within three months of completion of the MBA programme which makes it a whopping placement rate of 97.2%. The average median salary for a Wharton MBA graduate can be USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) in industries such as Consulting, Finance, Technology, Real estate etc.
Here are the highlights of placements of the Wharton MBA graduates class of 2023:
Wharton School MBA Class Particulars (2023) | Data (2023) |
|---|---|
Average Median Base Salary | USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) |
Average Sign on bonus | USD 30,000 (INR 32 L) |
Average Guaranteed Sign on bonus | USD 30,000 (INR 32 L) |
Top Employers | · Ab Bernstein · Activision Blizzard · Adobe Inc. · Alixpartners · Alpine Investors · Alvarez & Marsal · Amazon · Apple · Arctos Sports Partners · Bain & Company |
Students not seeking employment after graduation | 17.1% |
Students wishing to start their own Business | 4.25% |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Q: What is the highest package from Wharton MBA?
Wharton MBA is a great asset and addition to the professional life of a student. The median annual base salary was the highest for the industry of Legal and Professional Services which was a whopping compensation of USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr), followed by Hedge Funds/Other Investments industry, with a compensation of USD 212,500 (INR 1.79 Cr). Wharton School of Business MBA class 2023 was placed in industries such as Consulting, Finance, Technology, Real estate etc.
The table below shows the average salary given by various industries to a Wharton MBA graduate:
Industry | Accepted Median Salary (Annual) |
|---|---|
Consulting | USD 190,000.00 |
Financial Services | USD 175,000.00 |
Hedge Funds/Other Investments | USD 212,500.00 |
Legal & Professional Services | USD 215,000.00 (INR 1.81 Cr) |
Manufacturing | USD 125,356.00 |
Media, Entertainment & Sports | USD 157,500.00 |
Real Estate | USD 150,000.00 |
Technology | USD 162,750.00 |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Q: Which companies hire the MBA Graduates from Wharton?
The Wharton School placement rate stands at 97.2% within the three months of graduation form this B-School.
The table below shows the top companies hiring the MBA graduates from Wharton:
Top Companies Hiring Wharton MBA Graduates |
|---|
· Ab Bernstein |
· Activision Blizzard |
· Adobe Inc. |
· Alixpartners |
· Alpine Investors |
· Alvarez & Marsal |
· Amazon |
· Apple |
· Arctos Sports Partners |
· Bain & Company |
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania or Harvard Business School: Which is better?
The Wharton School and Harvard Business School are both exceptional and ranked highly in the list of the best Business Schools worldwide. While the parent institution of Wharton, the University of Pennsylvania is in the group of Ivy League, Harvard University isn’t in that group. These Business schools are known for their state-of-the-art curriculum, highly employable alumni, large alumni network across the globe, and strong commitment to learning.
Despite of, both the B-Schools are top-notch and considered the best in the world, The Wharton School by Penn ranks #2, and Harvard Business School ranks at #3 according to the rankings released by the QS World ranking body for the year 2025. If the consideration is employability, according to the Employment Report 2023 published by HBS, 86% of the students who were seeking employment received an offer letter, on the other hand, 97.2% of the students seeking employment received an offer letter from The Wharton School.
The table compares these two best Business schools in depth:
|
Criteria |
Harvard Business School |
The Wharton School |
|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Boston, Massachusetts |
Philadelphia, USA |
|
Average Starting Salary |
USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) |
USD 175,000 (1.47 Cr) |
|
Sign-On Bonus |
USD 30,000 (INR 25 L) |
USD 30,000 (INR 25 L) |
|
Acceptance Rate (Class 2026) |
9.43% |
11.8% |
|
Tuition (MBA) |
USD 76,410 (INR 64.5 L) |
USD 84,830 (INR 71.6 L) |
|
Return on Investment (ROI) Based on the Data of first-year tuition fees and the average median salary |
229% |
206.2% |
|
Top Companies Hiring |
· JP Morgan Chase · Nike · Glossier · L'Oréal |
· Ab Bernstein · Activision Blizzard · Adobe Inc. · Alixpartners · Alpine Investors
|
|
Ranking (QS World 2025) |
#3 |
#2 |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
The Wharton School Campus Life
Located in Philadelphia, the city where two rivers the Delaware and the Schuylkill meet, the top destination among the people who are willing to live on the East Coast of the USA, The Wharton School campus life entails supportive culture, extra-curricular activities, and a large Penn community. The students say that the location of the Wharton makes a lot of difference in their lives as they are able to enjoy the happening city life with lots of restaurants, clubs, and recreational centres nearby.
The School also offers students multiple clubs and organizations, class events, programs and initiatives, athletics and recreation, dining, and housing facilities. In fact, 5,500 undergraduates are choosing to live on-campus due to the affordability and safety. There are more than 45 Wharton clubs and 40+ cohort leadership options.
For Housing at Wharton, the students have many options:
- On Campus: Wharton provides On-campus housing options to all its students and the rooms are well air-conditioned and amenities such as bathrooms, beds, and proximity to colleges and classes as these college houses are at the center location of the University of Penn. These on-campus housing options can cost a first-year student USD 12,640 (INR 10.6 L), and USD 16,580 (INR 13.9 L) a year for Upper classes such as MBA.
- Off-Campus Housing: The city of Philadelphia is filled with options for affordable stays near Wharton. If a student isn’t able to pay for on-campus housing off-campus housing can be considered a bit costly by many. The students are suggested to join Facebook groups, talk to the current students by reaching them on Linked In, or get help from real estate apps such as Zillow before their stay. Although the average rent per month near Wharton excluding utilities and food can cost a student USD 1,396 (INR 1.17 L), the apartment can be rented in sharing as most of the Indians who are studying at Wharton choose this option.
Commonly asked questions On Campus Life
Q: Where do most Wharton MBA students live?
Wharton is a popular school among international students, although the living expense along with the high tuition fee can feel a little expensive. According to the Wharton's official site, an international student has to spend an amount of USD 33,804 (INR 28.5 L) for one year to pursue MBA at this B-School, from which a big chunk will go in paying rent. Eighty percent of the Wharton MBA students live near Rittenhouse Square, which is located in centre city. The Centre City is known for its best restaurants, shopping outlets, and nightlife.
The commute to the Wharton campus is a 25 minutes' walk, or 10 to 15 minutes through bike or public transportation. The students say on various platforms such as Quora, that they are able to enjoy the luxury high-rises with beautiful views of the park and brownstone homes. The average rent among the students who live in Rittenhouse Square for various kinds of apartments in mentioned below:
Apartment type | Rent Per month |
|---|---|
Studio Apartment | USD 1,600 (INR 1.35 L) |
1 Bedroom Apartment | USD 1,900 (INR 1.60 L) |
2 Bedroom Apartment | USD 2,600 (INR 2.19 L) |
(USD 1 = INR 84.41)
Below mentioned are the buildings most Wharton MBA students live in Rittenhouse Square:
· AQ Rittenhouse
· 2040 Market
· 1919 Market
· The Dorchester
· 2400 Chestnut
· 2116 Chestnut
· The Republic
· Rittenhouse Claridge
· Wanamaker House
· 1700 Chestnut
· The Beacon
· Locust on the Park
· Aria
· The Carlyle
· The Sterling
Q: What housing options are available near Wharton?
For Housing at Wharton, the students have many options:
· On Campus: The Wharton provides On-campus housing options to all its students and the rooms are well air conditioned and amenities such as bathroom, beds, and close proximity to colleges and classes as these college houses are at the centre location of the University of Penn. These on-campus housing options can cost a first year student USD 12,640 (INR 10.6 L), and USD 16,580 (INR 13.9 L) a year for Upper classes such as MBA.
· Off-Campus housing: The city of Philadelphia is filled with options of affordable stays near Wharton. If a student isn't able to pay for on campus housing as off-campus housing can be considered a bit costly by many. The students are suggested to join Facebook groups, talk to the current students by reaching them on linked in, or take help of real estate apps such as Zillow prior to their stay. Although the average rent per month near Wharton excluding utilities and food can cost a student USD 1,396 (INR 1.17 L), but the apartment can have rented in sharing as most of the Indians who are studying at Wharton choose this option.
There are other options available too such as off-campus services where the students are provided assistance in hunting for the right accommodation, temporary housing services, a reasonably priced short-term housing near the campus etc.
Q: What is it like being a student at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania?
Located in Philadelphia, the city where two rivers the Delaware and the Schuylkill meet, the top destination among the people who are willing to live on the East Coast of the USA, and the city where the founding fathers of the USA met, debated and formed a new country. The Wharton School campus life entails supportive culture, extra-curricular activities, and a large Penn community. The students say that the location of the Wharton makes a lot of difference in their lives as they are able to enjoy the happening city life with lots of restaurants, clubs, and recreational centres nearby.
The Wharton campus promotes diversity and culture, this place ensures that a student feels included and understood during their stay. The School also offers students multiple clubs and organisations, class events, programs and initiatives, athletics and recreation, dining, and housing facilities. In fact, 5,500 undergraduates are choosing to live on-campus due to the affordability and safety. There are more than 45 Wharton clubs and 40+ cohort leadership options.
The Wharton School Notable Alumni
Warren Buffet, Anil Ambani, Elon Musk, and Sunder Pichai are some of the Wharton School Graduates. This B-School is very well-renowned for its highly skilled graduates who are contributing significantly to the entire world’s economy. The Wharton School alumni network is of 106,000 students worldwide. With 77 alumni clubs and representation of 153 countries of the world, the B-School promotes the commitment to community building and inclusion.
|
The Wharton School Notable Alumni |
Professions of the Alumni |
Photos |
|---|---|---|
|
Anil Ambani |
Received his MBA in 1983 and was the first recipient of the Wharton Indian Alumni Award |
 |
|
Elon Musk |
An MBA graduate who is known as a business magnate, engineer, inventor, and venture capitalist |
 |
|
John Sculley |
Former CEO of Pepsi Co. and Apple who shares credit with his Wharton professors for influencing his career |
 |
|
Sundar Pichai |
CEO of Google |
 |
|
Donald Trump |
45th President of the United States of America (USA) |
 |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Q: What celebrities went to Wharton?
Wharton boasts its large network of alumni around the world which is a network of 106,000 students who graduated from this B-School, and now scattered all over the world making significant impact in the field of Business and Management.
These are the most famous Wharton alumni:
The Wharton School Notable Alumni | Professions of the Alumni |
|---|---|
Anil Ambani | Received his MBA in 1983 and was the first recipient of the Wharton Indian Alumni Award |
Elon Musk
| An MBA graduate who is known as a business magnate, engineer, inventor, and venture capitalist |
John Sculley | Former CEO of Pepsi Co. and Apple who credits his Wharton professors for influencing his career |
Sundar Pichai | The CEO of Google who is an example of a Wharton MBA graduate making waves in the technology industry |
Donald Trump | 45th President of the United States of America (USA) |
Q: Who is a famous Wharton alumnus in India?
Many Indians apply to the Wharton School of Business every year. Wharton has a large network of alumni all around the world who are coming from various industries, countries and backgrounds. Two of the most famous Wharton alumni from Indian descent are Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Anil Ambani. Other than these two examples, the Wharton also has very famous people as their alumni. The list is long, but here are some top-notch names mentioned:
· Ivanka Trump: Former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States
· Ronald Perelman: American banker
· Donald Trump Jr.: American activist
· Nassim Nicholas Taleb: Essayist
· Brian L. Roberts: Chief Executive Officer of Comcast
· Fred Wilson: American venture capitalist
· Phil Murphy: Governor of New Jersey
· Walter Annenberg: Former United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom
· Raj Rajaratnam: Sri Lankan-American former hedge fund manager and founder of the Galleon Group
· John D. MacDonald: American writer
· Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways of India
· Kunal Bahl: CEO of Snapdeal
· Anand Ahuja: Fashion Entrepreneur
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University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University as well as Harvard University are the most prestigious. In terms of rankings, the Oxford University has an upper hand among all the three universities. However, Harvard offers the best placement package.
Mentioned below is the comparison betwe
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Students can choose any of the two universities as both are highly reputed and belong to the top 50 universities globally. The University of Pennsylvania ranked #15 among global universities whereas the University of British Columbia ranked #35. As per Shiksha Grading, both universities have an ‘A+
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Penn provides need-based grants, such as the Penn Grant, to help students meet their financial needs. The Penn Grant is an institutional grant based on financial need and is available to all traditional undergraduate students for up to eight academic semesters. Although specific scholarships for Ind
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There isn't a major difference in campus life whether you stay on campus or off campus. But here are some benefits of living in On campus and Off campus. Pros of students living in On campus is that they are surrounded by peers so they can build stronger connections and also have easy access to acad
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