The Wharton MBA program at the University of Pennsylvania just enrolled its largest class in four years — 888 students, pulled from a record 7,613 applications. It’s also coming off a record employment report, with graduates posting the highest median salary the school has ever reported. This guide walks through the current Wharton MBA class profile, admission requirements, the latest placement and salary data, scholarships, and the real cost of attendance — all pulled from the most recently published figures, not last cycle’s numbers.
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About the Wharton School
Founded in 1881, Wharton is the world’s oldest collegiate business school and one of the largest MBA programs among the M7. It’s part of the University of Pennsylvania, based in Philadelphia, and is best known for its depth in finance and analytics, though the curriculum spans 19 majors covering everything from entrepreneurship to healthcare management. The two-year, full-time MBA combines a flexible core curriculum with heavy emphasis on quantitative and data-driven decision-making — a structural difference from more purely case-based programs like Harvard’s.
Quick Answer: Wharton MBA at a Glance
Acceptance rate: 18.6%, officially disclosed to U.S. News — not the 11.7% figure you’ll see elsewhere (that’s actually an enrollment rate, explained below)
Latest employment report (Class of 2025): $185,000 median base salary, a $10,000 increase over the prior class
Total cost of attendance (2026-27): approximately $134,000 for a single student
Wharton MBA Class Profile 2027
The wharton mba class profile 2027 reflects Wharton’s largest and academically strongest incoming cohort in several years:
- Applications received: 7,613
- Class size: 888 students
- Average GMAT (legacy): 735
- Average GMAT Focus Edition: 676
- Average GRE: 163 Quant, 162 Verbal
- Average GPA: 3.7
- Average work experience: 5 years
- Women: 44%
- International students: 26%, representing 68 countries
- LGBTQ+ students: 12%
- First-generation college students: 11%
- Military background: 6%
Undergraduate majors
- Humanities 36%
- STEM 32%
- Business 32%
The wharton mba class of 2027 is notably more academically competitive than the prior two cohorts — GMAT scores rose from 728 (Class of 2025) to 732 (Class of 2026) to 735 this cycle, even as application volume climbed each year.
Wharton MBA Acceptance Rate — Get This Number Right
A lot of sources report the Wharton mba acceptance rate as roughly 11.7%, calculated by simply dividing 888 enrolled students by 7,613 applications. That math is actually an enrollment rate, not an admit rate — it doesn’t account for admitted candidates who chose another school. Wharton’s officially disclosed acceptance rate, reported directly to U.S. News, is 18.6% for the Class of 2027. If you see a figure below 15% cited elsewhere, it’s likely using the flawed enrollment-rate calculation rather than Wharton’s own disclosed number.
Ready to build a Wharton-ready application? Get in touch with an MBA admission consultant now.
Wharton MBA Requirements
To apply, you’ll need to meet the following wharton mba requirements:
- Academic transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended
- GMAT or GRE score — Wharton states no preference between the two
- TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE for non-native English speakers (unless you completed a degree at an English-speaking institution)
- A one-page professional resume
- Two required essays, plus an optional essay for extenuating circumstances
- Two letters of recommendation, typically from direct supervisors
An invitation-only interview, conducted through Wharton’s Team-Based Discussion (TBD) format — a 35-minute group exercise followed by a one-on-one conversation with an admissions committee member
Wharton MBA Admission
The Wharton MBA admission process is holistic rather than formula-based. The admissions committee evaluates candidates across several dimensions: academic ability, professional impact, leadership potential, community engagement, and interpersonal skills. Strong applicants typically show a clear, specific narrative connecting their past experience to their post-MBA goals, rather than a generic “I want to grow” framing.
Wharton MBA Deadlines (2026-27 Admissions Cycle)
| Round | Application Deadline | Interview Invitations | Decision Released | Deposit Deadline |
| Round 1 | September 8, 2026 | October 28, 2026 | December 17, 2026 | February 5, 2027 |
| Round 2 | January 5, 2027 | February 19, 2027 | March 31, 2027 | April 29, 2027 |
| Round 3 | March 31, 2027 | April 16, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | June 2, 2027 |
| Deferred Admissions | April 21, 2027 | May 26, 2027 | July 1, 2027 | July 30, 2027 |
Rounds 1 and 2 account for the large majority of admitted seats, and Wharton itself notes that Round 3 is significantly more competitive as space narrows. Apply in Round 3 only if genuine circumstances kept you from an earlier round — not as a default timeline.
Wharton MBA Employment Report — Class of 2025 (Latest Available)
The most recently published wharton mba employment report covers the Class of 2025, released in December 2025 — this is the current benchmark, not the Class of 2024 figures still circulating on some sites. Key results:
| Metric | Class of 2025 |
| Median base salary | $185,000 |
| Job offer rate (3 months) | 90.5% |
| Job acceptance rate | 87% |
| Median signing bonus | $30,000 |
| Jobs based in the US | 94% |
By industry, financial services accounted for 38.2% of accepted offers at a $175,000 median, consulting followed at 28.2% with a $190,000 median, and technology took 15.3% of the class at a $164,250 median. Legal and professional services claimed the highest median salary of any sector at $235,000, though it represented a smaller 2.5% of placements.
Wharton MBA Placements
Wharton MBA placements span nearly every major industry, with consulting, private equity, investment banking, technology, and venture capital as the top destinations. Graduates draw on a 100,000+ member global alumni network, along with personalized career coaching, employer treks, and Wharton’s Leadership Ventures and Global Modular Courses for hands-on experience before graduation.
Wharton MBA Class Scholarship Opportunities
Wharton MBA class scholarship funding falls into three main categories. Need-based fellowships are awarded on demonstrated financial need, while merit-based scholarships — including the prestigious Joseph Wharton Fellowship — recognize exceptional academic and professional achievement. Wharton also offers targeted awards like the Emerging Economy Fellowship for students from developing countries and the Prism Fellowship, which provides full tuition coverage for LGBTQ+ students demonstrating leadership. Most students are automatically considered for institutional scholarships upon admission — no separate application is required.
Wharton MBA Cost of Attendance
The Wharton MBA cost of attendance for the 2026-27 academic year breaks down as follows:
| Expense | Amount |
| Tuition | $87,970 |
| University fees | $5,038 |
| Housing | $21,258 |
| Food | $9,287 |
| Books and supplies | $1,123 |
| Transportation | $1,044 |
| Personal expenses | $4,703 |
| Health insurance | $5,018 |
| Total | $134,441 |
This reflects costs for a single student living in Philadelphia; budgets should be adjusted upward for dependents or a different living standard.
Final Thoughts
The Wharton MBA remains one of the strongest options for candidates targeting finance, consulting, or technology leadership roles, backed by a record salary year and a growing, increasingly competitive applicant pool. But strength on paper doesn’t guarantee admission — with an 18.6% acceptance rate and rising average GMAT scores, your essays and interview performance carry real weight in a genuinely holistic review process.
If you’re weighing whether Wharton fits your profile, or want help building an application that stands out in a pool of 7,613, working with an experienced MBA admissions consultant can help you position your candidacy clearly instead of guessing. A good MBA admission consultant knows exactly what Wharton’s Team-Based Discussion format rewards and can help you prepare accordingly.
FAQs — Wharton MBA Program
What is the Wharton MBA acceptance rate?
Wharton’s officially disclosed acceptance rate is 18.6% for the Class of 2027. The commonly cited 11.7% figure is actually an enrollment rate (888 enrolled ÷ 7,613 applications), not a true admit rate.
What is the Wharton MBA class profile for 2027?
The Class of 2027 has 888 students from 7,613 applications, an average GMAT of 735, average GPA of 3.7, 44% women, 26% international students from 68 countries, and 5 years of average work experience.
How much does the Wharton MBA cost?
Total cost of attendance for 2026-27 is approximately $134,441 for a single student, including tuition ($87,970), fees, housing, food, and other living expenses in Philadelphia.
What is the latest Wharton MBA employment report?
The most recent report covers the Class of 2025, showing a record $185,000 median base salary, a 90.5% job offer rate, and 87% job acceptance rate within three months of graduation.
What are the Wharton MBA requirements?
Applicants need transcripts, a GMAT or GRE score, a resume, two essays, two recommendations, and — if invited — a Team-Based Discussion interview followed by a one-on-one conversation with an admissions committee member.
What scholarships does Wharton offer MBA students?
Wharton offers need-based fellowships, merit-based awards like the Joseph Wharton Fellowship, and targeted programs including the Emerging Economy Fellowship and the Prism Fellowship. Most students are automatically considered upon admission.