M7 stands for “Magnificent 7,” referring to the seven most prestigious, influential, and best business schools in the United States.
M7 MBA programs attract exceptional students who want to develop their leadership skills, gain hands-on management experience, attract top tier recruiters, and make use of their university’s deep academic resources. Therefore, M7 MBA programs are highly selective.
The M7 business schools are some of the hardest institutions in the world to get into, and they consistently sweep the board among the 5 major rankings. Stellar business administration and graduate management education, innovative curriculums, impressive networking opportunities, and access to facilities from the most elite business schools in the world make the prospect of an M7 MBA extremely attractive (both to the MBA applicant and, later, to top tier recruiters).
In addition to the M7 business schools, MBA programs at NYU Stern, UVA Darden, UCLA Anderson, and Michigan Ross regularly make top ten lists. Therefore, although ranking is important when choosing a school, the M7 business schools are not the only options for achieving success in the business world.
Working with a member of our team of experienced MBA admissions consultants can help you make informed decisions about school selection.
This article will take a deeper dive into each of the M7 MBA programs and analyze relevant information and statistics.
Harvard Business School (HBS) is arguably the most elite business school within the M7 MBA programs. As a private Ivy League University and one of the oldest universities in the world, Harvard University has a reputation for excellence. HBS emphasizes the case-study approach in their teaching, allowing students to learn about decision-making in the real world. According to employment reports, Harvard Business School graduates make an average of $180,000 per year, and 94% receive an offer of employment within three months of graduation.
Applying for a Harvard MBA is a long and difficult process, with many qualified applicants being turned away each year. To increase your chances of getting into Harvard Business School, you need to build the right profile and write a great application, among other factors.
| Acceptance Rate | 14% |
| GMAT Median | 740 |
| GPA Average | 3.73 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 4.9 |
The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is a top M7 MBA program, focusing on the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship. Applying to Stanford GSB’s MBA program requires a solid strategy, as it is one of the most competitive of the M7. Students at Stanford GSB enjoy collaboration and engagement with their community. Graduates from Stanford GSB make an average salary of $190,095 per year, with 91% having offers of employment three months after graduation.
| Acceptance Rate | 9% |
| GMAT Average | 738 |
| GPA Average | 3.77 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 5 |
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is also among the top – and oldest – business schools in the world, focusing on finance, entrepreneurship, and technology. There are many major options to choose from within the Wharton MBA program, including international business, organization effectiveness, and real estate. Learning Teams, Clusters, and Cohorts allow Wharton MBA students to collaborate and learn from fellow Wharton students. The median salary for graduates of the Wharton School is $175,000.
| Acceptance Rate | 23% |
| GMAT Average | 728 |
| GPA Average | 3.6 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 5 |
Columbia Business School is among the world’s top business schools and boasts a prime location in the center of the business world: New York City. The dynamic M7 MBA program offered at Columbia University fosters community among its students, and the Columbia MBA school capitalizes on the school’s ideal location and promotes experiential learning in New York City. Graduates of Columbia Business School make a median salary of $180,300 per year, and 90% receive employment offers within three months of graduation.
| Acceptance Rate | 22% |
| GMAT Average | 729 |
| GPA Average | 3.6 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 5 |
Kellogg is another top business school, and MBA students from Kellogg School of Management have proven especially successful in the fields of marketing, consulting, and technology. Kellogg is located in Evanston, Illinois, just thirty minutes from the major city of Chicago. Further, the Kellogg MBA places a significant focus on teamwork to prepare students for the business world. Graduates earn a median of $174,000 per year, with 94% of graduates receiving offers of employment by three months after graduation.
| Acceptance Rate | 31% |
| GMAT Average | 731 |
| GPA Average | 3.7 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 5 |
Booth School of Business is famous for being one of the most academically rigorous MBA programs. The Chicago Booth MBA program prides itself on developing the analytical and decision-making skills of its MBA students. Graduates of Chicago Booth often secure jobs at major investment banks and technology companies. Chicago Booth graduates earn an average salary of $180,000, and 93% receive employment offers within three months of graduation.
| Acceptance Rate | 30% |
| GMAT Average | 728 |
| GPA Average | 3.6 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 5 |
MIT Sloan has a refreshing attitude when it comes to admissions, believing that MBA applicants should be judged based on past accomplishments rather than future goals. The MIT Sloan MBA program is renowned for its technology programs, with many applicants coming from backgrounds in science or engineering. The salary average for MIT Sloan MBA graduates is $178,140, and 96% receive employment offers within three months of graduation.
| Acceptance Rate | 15% |
| GMAT Median | 730 |
| GPA Median | 4 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 5 |
The M7 schools are the leading institutions in terms of diversity, academic resources, and notable alumni. A degree from any of the M7 business schools will increase your likelihood of securing reputable career opportunities, so the admissions process is, understandably, highly competitive.
M7 business schools all feature deep academic resources, powerful alumni networks, and impressive employment reports, but the specifics of course structure, curriculums, recruitments opportunities, and class profiles vary between each M7 MBA program.
The average GMAT score for individuals accepted to the M7 MBA programs is around 730, with a GPA around or above 3.60. Further, although M7 MBA programs only require applicants to have two years of work experience before applying, most successful applicants have been in the workforce for about five years. It is important to work on your MBA application holistically to be accepted into these top M7 business schools.
Are you currently applying to an M7 MBA program? If you want to learn more about how we may be able to help you, check out our MBA admissions consulting page.
