What are the average GMAT scores of admitted students at Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton?

If you're aiming for Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton, you already know these schools are extremely competitive. A strong GMAT score can help, but it’s not the only factor that gets you in. Here’s what you need to know:

Harvard Business School (HBS)

• Average GMAT Score: 730
• Score Range: 540–790
• Average GPA: 3.70
• Competitiveness: Very selective (around 10% acceptance rate).

Harvard looks for leadership potential, a strong career trajectory, and the ability to make an impact. If your GMAT score is slightly below the average, you’ll need exceptional essays and solid work experience to stand out.

Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB)

• Average GMAT Score: 737 (highest among the three)
• Score Range: 630–790
• Average GPA: 3.76
• Competitiveness: The toughest MBA to get into (about 6% acceptance rate).

Even with a perfect GMAT, admission isn’t guaranteed. Stanford values authenticity, personal impact, and leadership beyond work. Your story matters just as much as your scores.

Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)

• Average GMAT Score: 733
• Score Range: 530–790
• Average GPA: 3.6
• Competitiveness: Highly competitive (12% acceptance rate). Wharton loves candidates with strong quantitative skills and leadership potential.

If your GMAT isn’t as high, a solid track record in finance, consulting, or analytics can balance it out.

What This Means for You

GMAT is important but not everything – A score above 730 is ideal, but admissions focus on leadership, career growth, and impact.
The score range matters – Many get in below the average because of strong essays, work experience, and recommendations.
Balance your application – If your GMAT is slightly lower, make your essays, career goals, and recommendations stand out.

At the end of the day, these schools aren’t just looking for great test-takers. They want future leaders, innovators, and changemakers. So, yes, get the best GMAT score you can, but don’t forget to craft a compelling, well-rounded application. 

So, you’re thinking about Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton—aiming high, that’s good. But yeah, those schools usually have pretty high GMAT averages.

Harvard and Wharton typically hover around a 730 average. Stanford’s usually even higher, around 737 or sometimes pushing 740. Honestly, that’s pretty intense, but remember, those are just averages—not minimums.

Don’t stress too much though. People get in with lower scores if their experience, essays, and overall profile stand out. Still, aiming around that 720+ mark will put you in a solid position. You've totally got this!

Getting into top MBA programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton is highly competitive, and a strong GMAT score is an important part of the application.

At Harvard Business School, the average GMAT score for the MBA Class of 2026 is 740, with scores ranging between 540 and 790. While a high GMAT is common, Harvard also looks for leadership potential and strong academic performance.

For Stanford Graduate School of Business, the average GMAT score is 738, with a range from 560 to 790. Stanford is known for having a slightly more flexible view toward scores if the rest of the profile shows innovation and impact.

At Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the average GMAT score is 732, and the range is between 530 and 790. Wharton values a strong mix of quantitative skills, leadership, and career progression alongside the test score.

While a competitive GMAT helps, all three schools also focus heavily on leadership experience, clarity of career goals, and academic excellence across the entire application.

If you're aiming for top MBA programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, knowing the typical GMAT scores helps set the right target. While these schools used to report scores based on the old GMAT, applicants now submit the GMAT Focus Edition, which is scored out of 805.

Here’s the latest available data based on the traditional GMAT scale for the MBA Class of 2026:

A strong GMAT is important, but top programs also value leadership, work achievements, and the ability to show clear career goals in your application.