Berkeley Haas MBA: Acceptance Rate, Deadlines, & Requirements (2025-2026)

UC Berkeley Haas MBA Program Overview

The Berkeley Haas MBA program is one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the world. Founded in 1898, it is part of the University of California, Berkeley and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Haas School of Business is known for its innovative curriculum, strong leadership focus, and connection to Silicon Valley.

The full-time MBA program emphasizes data analytics, sustainable business, and business communication, equipping students with the skills needed to lead in diverse work environments. Haas students benefit from dual degree programs, hands-on learning, and a global alumni network. With a reputation for defining leadership principles and challenging the status quo, Berkeley Haas MBA graduates are highly sought after in the business world.

UC Berkeley Haas MBA Stats (2025-2026)

Acceptance Rate

Berkeley Haas doesn't publicly publish its acceptance rate however estimates place it at 13-17% for the full-time program and closer to 35-40% for the evening/weekend program.

Class Profile

• Class Size: 295
• Average GPA: 3.65
  • Middle 80%: 3.38-3.9
• Median GMAT Score: 730
  • Middle 80% Range: 615-675
  • Median Percentile: 94%
• Median GMAT Focus Score: 660
  • Middle 80% Range: 690-750
  • Median Percentile: 94%
• GRE Scores
  • Median Quant: 162
  • Middle 80% Quant: 154-167
  • Median Verbal: 161
  • Middle 80% Verbal: 155-168
• Average Work Experience: 5.66 Years
• U.S. Minority: 51%
• International Students: 38%
• First-Generation Students: 15%
• Women: 42%
• LGBTQ+: 19%
• Veterans: 7%

For more class profiles, test scores, and average GPAs of top scores, read: T25 MBA Acceptance Rates, GPA, & Test Scores

UC Berkeley Haas MBA Cost — Tuition & Fees

Pursuing an MBA at Berkeley Haas is a significant financial investment. The total cost includes tuition, fees, and living expenses, which vary based on personal lifestyle and choices.

Breakdown of Costs (2025 Academic Year)

• Tuition & Fees (California Residents): $73,160 per year
• Tuition & Fees (Non-Residents/International Students): $85,406 per year
• Room & Board: $28,428
• Books & Supplies: $734
• Health Insurance: $6,442
• Other Personal Expenses: $3,170
• Total Estimated Cost (One Year): $115,616

Haas offers fellowships, scholarships, and financial aid to help students manage costs. Many Haas students also secure funding through employer sponsorships, assistantships, and external scholarships. See scholarship options here.

UC Berkeley Haas MBA Employment Report

Graduates from the Berkeley Haas MBA program are highly sought after by top employers across industries. The school's strong business school network and close ties to Silicon Valley provide students with exceptional career opportunities.

Key Employment Statistics (Recent Data)

• Mean Base Annual Salary: $159,412
• Median Base Annual Salary: $160,000
• Median Signing Bonus: $34,740
• Job Offer Rate (3 Months Post-Graduation): 86%
• Top Industries:
  • Consulting (25%)
  • Technology (24%)
  • Finance (16%)
  • Healthcare, Retail, and Other Sectors (8%)
  • CPG/Retail (6%)

Top Employers Hiring Haas MBA Graduates

• Technology: Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft
• Consulting: McKinsey, Bain, Boston Consulting Group
• Finance: Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley

The Haas School of Business prepares students for leadership roles in the business world through career coaching, alumni networking, and experiential learning.

UC Berkeley Haas Degree Programs

The Haas School of Business offers a variety of MBA programs designed to fit different career stages and goals. Each program provides a strong foundation in business analytics, leadership skills, and business communication, with opportunities to specialize in key areas of the business world.

Traditional MBA Programs

Berkeley Haas offers a traditional, full-time MBA program that last 21 months with an open summer for internships, work, etc. It also as an Evening & Weekend Part-Time MBA program that typically lasts between 2.5-3 years.

Read: Part-Time vs. Full-Time MBA Programs: Pros, Cons, and How to Decide

Executive MBA

The EMBA at Haas is a great option for accomplished business professionals with a lot of work experience. The program lasts 22 months and students will attend class Thursday-Saturday once a month. A quarter of the EMBA curriculum is centered around experiential learning and includes give field immersions in leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, international business, and public policy.

Berkeley Haas also has a deferred MBA program for college seniors. Read more here: A Guide to the UC Berkeley Haas Accelerated Applicants Deferred MBA Program

Specialized & Joint Degrees

• MBA/MPH (Public Health) – A dual degree for those interested in healthcare management and policy.
• MBA/MCS - A program designed for early-career professionals who plan to take their careers to a higher level of business leadership, grounded in understanding of sustainability and climate change challenges and opportunities.
• MBA/JD (Law) – A joint degree with Berkeley Law for professionals aiming for careers in corporate law or business leadership.
• MBA/MEng (Engineering Leadership) – A program for those looking to bridge business and technology.

These MBA programs allow Haas students to tailor their education to their career goals while gaining access to the Berkeley Haas alumni network and global business community.

UC Berkeley Haas Deadlines (2025-2026)

Applying to the Berkeley Haas MBA program requires careful planning to meet the application deadlines. The full-time MBA program has three rounds, while other MBA programs may have different timelines.

• Round 1: September 11, 2025
  • Decision: December 11, 2025
• Round 2: January 8, 2026
  • Decision: March 26, 2026
• Round 3: March 31, 2026
  • Decision: May 7, 2026

Applicants should aim to apply in Round 1 or 2 for the best chance at admission and scholarships. The admissions committee evaluates applications holistically, considering academic performance, leadership potential, and alignment with the Haas defining leadership principles.

Read: MBA Application Timeline: What to Do and When to Apply (Month-by-Month Guide)

UC Berkeley Haas Requirements

Admission to the Berkeley Haas MBA program is competitive. The admissions committee looks for candidates with strong academic records, leadership skills, and diverse professional experiences. Below is a checklist of the key requirements:

Application Checklist

• Online Application Form – Includes personal details, work experience, and essays.
• Application Fee – $250 (fee waivers available).
• GMAT/GRE Score – The median GMAT and GRE scores are 660 (GMAT Focus), 730 (GMAT), and 161V/162Q (GRE). That is the target score you should shoot for, but if you can get anywhere in that 80% range, you have a chance. However, it depends on the rest of your application. If you have a great GPA, a high test score matters less and vice versa.
• Transcripts – Official records from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
• Essays – Responses to Berkeley Haas MBA essay prompts. For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Haas requires one video essay and one written essay.
• MBA Letters of Recommendation – Two recommendations (one from your current direct supervisor).
• MBA Resume – A professional summary of work experience, leadership, and achievements.
• Interview (by invitation only) – Conducted by an alumni or admissions officer.

To read more about GMAT vs. GRE, see: GMAT vs. GRE for Business School—Which to Take and How to Ace Both

Resume

An MBA program’s quality is enhanced by the real-world experience that students bring to the classroom. For this reason, most of Haas’ students have two or more years of full-time, professional work experience.

When the admissions committee is reviewing applications, they are interested in the progression and milestones of its applicants, as well as their leadership potential. Because of this, make sure to upload a current resume through the online application. PDF format is preferred.

Learn more here: MBA Resume Tips, Examples, & Template – From an Ex-AdCom

Berkeley Haas MBA Essays

Berkeley Haas' MBA essays were updated for the 2025-2026 application cycle. Here are the prompts:

Required Essay #1: Video Essay

• Prompt: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?
  
  You will be able to test your audio-visual connection before recording. Video essays should last 1-2 minutes and may not exceed 2 minutes. You have two (2) attempts to record your video essay.

Required Essay #2

• Prompt: What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from Haas help you achieve those goals?
  
  Short-term career goals should be achievable within 3-5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations. (300 words)

Read: MBA Essay Examples & Tips (From an AdCom) and Berkeley Haas MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

UC Berkeley Haas MBA Curriculum & Class Structure

The Berkeley Haas MBA program offers a well-structured core curriculum that focuses on business analytics, leadership skills, and business communication. The program encourages students to challenge the status quo and develop a sustainable business mindset.

The full-time MBA program is structured into two years, with a mix of required core courses and electives that allow students to tailor their learning experience.

First Year

Fall A (Weeks 1-7)

• Leading People
• Data and Decisions
• Economics for Business Decision Making
• Financial Accounting

Fall B (Weeks 9-15)

• Introduction to Finance
• Marketing
• Business Communication in Diverse Work Environments

Spring A (Weeks 1-7)

• Macroeconomics in the Global Economy
• Operations
• Applied Innovation Elective
• Electives

Spring B (Weeks 9-15)

• Ethics and Responsibility in Business
• Strategic Leadership
• Applied Innovation Elective
• Electives

How to Get Into UC Berkeley Haas

Gaining admission to the Berkeley Haas MBA program is highly competitive. The admissions committee looks for candidates who demonstrate strong leadership skills, academic excellence, and a commitment to making an impact in the business world.

Here are some key tips to maximize your chances of acceptance.

1. Demonstrate a deep, values-based fit — not prestige-chasing

Berkeley Haas is unapologetically values-driven. Its Defining Leadership Principles (DLPs) — Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself — aren’t window dressing. They are the core filter through which Haas evaluates candidates.

The strongest Haas applicants weave these principles into their application DNA, showing not just what they’ve achieved, but how they’ve done it, what they’ve questioned, and who they’ve uplifted. Surface-level alignment won’t cut it. Haas wants self-aware applicants who can show (with receipts!) how they live these values in work, community, and character.

2. Bring a global or systems-oriented lens to your career goals

Haas sits at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, social impact, and entrepreneurship and it wants leaders who can think systemically. Whether you're entering venture capital, tech, climate, or policy, top candidates articulate goals that go beyond personal advancement and reflect broader systemic thinking.

That might mean exploring the equity gaps in fintech, decarbonizing supply chains, or building public-private partnerships in healthcare. Haas favors applicants with mission-driven clarity who want to do big things with humility and intention.

3. Engage with the Haas community before you apply, and show it

Haas is a tight-knit program that admits students who know what they’re getting into and are eager to contribute. That means you should connect early and meaningfully with current students, alumni, and faculty.

But don’t name-drop; try and extract insights from those conversations that show a nuanced understanding of the culture, student experience, and curriculum. Mentioning the Berkeley Innovative Leadership Development (BILD) curriculum is fine. Explaining how it connects to your leadership gaps is elite. Haas reads for sincerity, not polish so show them you’ve done your homework because you care, not because you're trying to game the process.

A well-rounded application that demonstrates intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a collaborative mindset is key to securing a spot in the Haas School of Business.

Read: How to Nail Your Berkeley Haas MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

Get Into UC Berkeley Haas With the Help of an Expert

Applying to the Berkeley Haas MBA program is a competitive process, but expert guidance can help you stand out. Get personalized support on every part of the application, from essays to letters of recommendation, resume, application strategy, and more. Coaches can help make sure you're telling your strongest, most authentic story. Browse all MBA admissions consultants.

• Emily L.: Berkeley Haas MBA & Former VP of Student Admissions Committee, Professional MBA Admissions Coach, 8+ Years of Experience
• Shruti T.: Berkeley Haas MBA/MPH + AdCom Experience, Stanford BS & MIT Sloan Admit
• Alex T.: Berkeley Haas MBA/MPH, Healthcare & Investing, Haas Entrepreneurship Mentor

UC Berkeley Haas MBA — FAQs

Is Berkeley Haas a good MBA program?

• Yes, Berkeley Haas is consistently ranked among the top 10 MBA programs globally. Known for its focus on innovation, leadership, and social impact, Haas offers a rigorous curriculum, strong ties to the Bay Area tech and venture ecosystem, and a values-driven community that emphasizes leading through innovation.

What is the acceptance rate for Haas MBA at UC Berkeley?

• The acceptance rate for the Berkeley Haas full-time MBA program is typically around 13-17%, making it one of the most selective business schools in the world. Applicants need strong academics, leadership experience, and a clear alignment with Haas’ Defining Leadership Principles.

What is the GMAT score for Berkeley Haas MBA?

• The median GMAT score for Berkeley Haas MBA admits is approximately 730 for the old GMAT and 660 for the GMAT Focus. Successful applicants often pair strong scores with unique leadership experiences, professional impact, and values that align with the Haas culture.

What is the average salary for Berkeley Haas MBA?

• Berkeley Haas MBA graduates earn an average base salary of around $159,412. The average signing bonus is $34,740, which 74% of graduates received. Haas graduates go on to top firms in consulting, tech, finance, and entrepreneurship.