Stanford JD/MBA: What to Know & How to Get In (2025-2026)

Choosing between law school and business school is already a big decision. Trying to do both at once? That takes serious intention. The Stanford JD/MBA program is built for students who want to operate at the intersection of law, business, and leadership, whether that’s inside a courtroom, at a venture-backed startup, or in a boardroom. The Stanford JD/MBA program is a four-year joint degree that combines the Juris Doctor (JD) from Stanford Law School with the Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB).

This guide breaks down how the joint degree works, what Stanford looks for in applicants, and how to navigate the admissions process if you're aiming for both the JD and MBA at one of the world’s top universities.

What Is the Stanford JD/MBA Program?

The Stanford JD/MBA program is a joint degree program offered by Stanford Law School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). It allows students to earn both a Juris Doctor (JD) and an MBA degree in four years, a year less than pursuing each degree separately.

This program is designed for students interested in careers in either law, business, or a combination of the two, such as corporate law, private equity, venture capital, or leadership in startups and law firms. The joint program structure allows students to build deep business knowledge while developing the legal education required to sit for the bar exam. This joint degree program is not just about saving time. It’s built to help students pursue leadership opportunities that demand fluency in both legal frameworks and business strategy. Stanford’s integration of the two schools, combined with its location in California’s innovation economy, makes this program especially strong for applicants interested in working with startups, fast-growth companies, and law firms focused on emerging industries.

Features of the Stanford JD/MBA Program

• Degree Outcome: Master's in Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate
• Program Length: 11-12 quarters (typically 4 years)
• Schools Involved: Stanford Law School, Stanford GSB
• Application Process: Apply separately to each program; you must be admitted to both
• Start Flexibility: Students may begin at either school
• Career Focus Areas: Corporate law, M&A, entrepreneurship, VC/PE, policy, in-house counsel

Program Structure: How the JD/MBA Works Across Four Years

The Stanford JD/MBA program is designed to be completed in four years, a reduction from the five or six years it would typically take to pursue both degrees separately. The program follows Stanford’s quarter system, which allows students to customize their course load and pace while meeting the full unit requirements for each degree. Students begin their studies full-time in either Stanford Law School or the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Starting in the second year, they begin coursework at the other school and are jointly enrolled in both programs. Throughout the third and fourth years, students complete a combination of law and business courses to satisfy the academic policies of each school.

Total Unit Requirements

• Stanford Law School: 80 units
• Stanford GSB: 84 units
• Total to Graduate: 164 units over 11-12 quarters
• Residency Requirement: 5 full-tuition quarters at GSB (excluding summer)

Stanford JD/MBA Application Overview

Admission to the Stanford JD/MBA program requires separate applications to both Stanford Law School (SLS) and the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). Each school has its own admissions process, deadlines, and criteria. To gain acceptance into the joint degree program, applicants must be accepted by both schools independently. This is different from other notable JD/MBA programs like those at the University of Pennsylvania and Northwestern University, where applicants apply to a single, joint JD/MBA program application.

For those who do not want to apply to both programs at the same time or are undecided if they want to add a second degree, Stanford allows another application pathway. You can apply to either the law school or GSB, get admitted, and then, once in the program, you can apply to add the JD or MBA in your first year.

Note: Most JD/MBA students begin at Stanford Law School, though starting at the GSB is also allowed. Regardless of the order, applicants must meet the full admissions standards for each program and formally indicate their interest in the joint degree program within their applications.

Stanford Law School (JD Program) – Application Requirements, Deadlines, & Averages

Again, to apply to Stanford’s JD/MBA, you must submit separate applications to both the law School and the business school. You must meet the full admissions requirements for each school.

SLS Application

For SLS, you will need:

• Application fee – A nonrefundable fee of $85 is required and must be paid before the application is submitted. Waivers are available for those unable to pay the fee.
• Bachelor’s degree – From an accredited institution (any major is acceptable).
• Standardized test score – SLS accepts either the LSAT or GRE. Submit your highest score. The LSAT is more common, though some applicants do choose to submit the GRE instead. Read: LSAT vs. GRE for Law School–Which to Take and How to Ace Both
• Academic transcripts – Required from all undergraduate and any graduate programs attended.
• Letters of recommendation – At least two but no more than four. Stanford says that “Recommenders should be instructors who have personal knowledge of your academic work, preferably those who have known you in a seminar, small class, tutorial program, or the like.” If you have been out of school for a significant time period, you may submit one letter from an employer or business associate.
• A personal statement – Two pages in length, the personal statement should describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests, and character would help you make a distinctive contribution to Stanford Law School.
• Resume – One-to-two pages describing your academic, extracurricular, and professional activities.
• Optional essays – One one-to-two page essay on communicating across differences and two short answer questions (100-250 words) that applicants can choose from four options.
• Application submitted through LSAC, which will prepare and submit a CAS report to the school. See more here: LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS): What it Is and How It Works for Law School Applications

Stanford Law evaluates applicants based on academic achievement, analytical skill, and alignment with the school’s values, including public service and legal innovation. While the quantitative factors like LSAT/GRE scores and GPA do really matter for law school applications, admissions committees review applications holistically. For personalized help on any part of the law school application, find an expert law school coach.

SLS Deadlines

The application deadlines have not yet been updated for the 2025-2026 cycle, but the timeline will be similar to that of last year.

• Application Available: September 15, 2024
• Application Deadline (for Knight-Hennessy): December 1, 2024
• Application Deadline: February 14, 2025

Stanford and most other law schools run on rolling application deadlines, meaning that they review applications as they come in, starting when the application is available. This means that applicants who apply early have a slight advantage as there are more seats available in the class.

SLS Averages

To get an idea of what a competitive applicant is for Stanford Law, here are the average scores, GPAs, etc., for the class of 2026.

• Acceptance Rate: 7.26%
• GPA Range: 3.47-4.19
• LSAT Range: 163-180
• JD Population: 565
• 1L Class: 174

For more information on Stanford Law School, read: Stanford Law School: Program and Application Overview. For more law schools, see: T14 Law Schools: Acceptance Rates & Class Profiles

Stanford Graduate School of Business (MBA Program) – Application Requirements, Deadlines, & Averages

GSB Application

For the GSB, you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree – No specific major required. Quantitative coursework is helpful but not mandatory.
• Standardized test score – The GSB accepts either the GMAT or GRE. No preference is given. Read: GMAT vs. GRE for an MBA—Which Should You Take (and How to Ace Both)
• Professional experience – Deferred MBA candidates can apply directly from undergrad, but traditional applicants should have several years of work experience. The average GSB student has ~5 years of experience prior to matriculating.
• Resume – A one-page professional resume outlining work experience, education, and leadership roles.
• Essays – Stanford has two required essays. Both essays should connect your background, values, and vision for impact.
  • Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?
  • Essay B: Why Stanford? (This is where you should explain your JD/MBA goals)
• Optional short-answer question – You can also share up to three examples of times when you’ve created a positive impact (up to 1,200 characters or 200 words for each example).
• Letters of recommendation – Typically from supervisors or professional mentors. Recs should highlight leadership potential, character, and contribution.
• Interview (by invitation only) – Conducted by a GSB alum, the interview is highly evaluative and focused on behavioral questions. They want to know who you are and what you would bring to the class.
• The application should be submitted via the GSB online system.

GSB Deadlines

The GSB application deadlines have also not yet been updated for the 2025-2026 cycle, but will again be similar to last year’s.

• Round 1 Deadline: September 10, 2024
• Round 2 Deadline: January 8, 2025
• Round 3 Deadline: April 8, 2025

For a deep dive into MBA application rounds and timeline strategy, see: The MBA Application Timeline—With Chart. For the deadlines of the top 25 business schools, read: MBA Application Deadlines of the Top 25 Business Schools

GSB Stats

Like SLS, the GSB is one of the most competitive graduate schools in the country. Applicants should shoot for at least the average scores of the most recently admitted class, though having above-average stats increases your chances of admission.

• Acceptance Rate: 6-7%
• Average GPA: 3.75
• GMAT Range: 560-790
• Average GMAT: 738
• GRE Range: 152-170 (V); 153-170 (Q)
• Average GRE: 163 (V); 164 (Q)
• MBA1 Class Size: 424

For more info on Stanford GSB, read: Stanford GSB MBA: Acceptance Rate, Deadlines, Cost, Requirements, & Program Overview

JD/MBA Program Test Scores

Stanford’s JD/MBA program requires applicants to submit standardized test scores for both the law school and the business school. While both schools accept the GRE, strategic selection of test scores can enhance your application.

For Stanford Law, you can apply with either the LSAT or the GRE. That said, most applicants still submit the LSAT. If you’ve taken both the LSAT and GRE, Stanford requires you to report all valid scores from both exams. If you’re considering using the GRE for both programs, make sure those scores are not only solid but truly competitive within the context of Stanford Law’s expectations. A marginal GRE score may put you at a disadvantage if the rest of your application doesn’t overdeliver.

On the GSB side, applicants can submit either the GMAT or GRE. There’s no stated preference, and the admissions office encourages you to submit whichever test best reflects your strengths. If you’re stronger quantitatively, the GMAT might give you an edge; if you excel in verbal reasoning, the GRE may work better for you.

Yo are not required to take both the LSAT and GMAT. Many JD/MBA applicants opt for the GRE as a way to cover both schools with one test, but this only works if your GRE score is truly strong across the board. In some cases, submitting the LSAT for SLS and the GMAT for GSB gives you a better chance of hitting the median score ranges each school expects.

Expert Tip: Before deciding, take full-length practice tests for all three exams – LSAT, GMAT, and GRE – and compare your percentile performance against each school’s published class profiles. Feel out which test works best for your style and pacing. You won’t hit your target scores the first time, but you should have an idea of which one(s) are best for you.

What Stanford Looks For in JD/MBA Applicants

Getting into Stanford’s JD/MBA program means clearing two of the most competitive admissions hurdles in graduate education – and doing so with a cohesive, compelling story. Each school evaluates applicants independently, and there’s no “joint committee,” which means you must meet the full admissions bar for both Stanford Law School and the Graduate School of Business. But while the processes are separate, the most successful candidates approach them with a shared strategy, not a split personality.

1. Academic Excellence With Intellectual Depth

Both SLS and GSB are unapologetically academic. Most successful JD/MBA applicants have undergraduate GPAs well above 3.7 and strong test scores (LSAT in the 170-174 range; GMAT around 738). But numbers alone won’t get you in. Stanford is looking for how you think: your ability to navigate complexity, reason through ambiguity, and engage with ideas beyond surface-level achievement. At SLS, this often shows up in writing-intensive disciplines, policy research, or legal internships. At GSB, it’s about demonstrating analytical rigor, whether through coursework, data-driven projects, or performance in quantitatively demanding roles.

2. A Vision That Demands Both Degrees

Stanford is not looking for candidates who are simply collecting elite credentials. Your application needs to show that you’re pursuing the JD/MBA because your future work requires deep fluency in both law and business, and not because you’re undecided or hedging bets.

This is where most applicants fall short. They list goals that could be achieved with either degree alone. Instead, you need to name a specific domain or problem space (e.g., fintech regulation, cross-border M&A, AI and data privacy, ESG policy, startup law) and explain how both degrees are necessary tools in your long-term toolkit. Essay B in the GSB application is the best place to articulate this, use it to connect the dots between your past experiences, current motivations, and future impact, and to show how Stanford uniquely positions you to lead at that intersection.

3. Cross-Functional Leadership Potential

Stanford values leadership that’s authentic, initiative-driven, and contextually aware. You don’t need to be a founder or have a flashy job title, but you do need to show that you’ve stepped up to drive change, especially in ambiguous environments. This can look like launching a new initiative at work, leading pro bono legal efforts, or helping a team navigate a regulatory challenge. GSB in particular wants to see that you’ve influenced outcomes, rallied people, and grown in the process.

In your law school application, leadership might show up more subtly, in how you’ve engaged with systems of justice, taken on research or advocacy work, or influenced policy outcomes. For JD/MBA applicants, the best recommendation letters speak to both intellectual horsepower and interpersonal maturity: your ability to make decisions, work across teams, and learn from feedback.

4. Exposure to Both Paths

Stanford wants proof that you’re not just theoretically interested in the intersection of law and business; they want to see that you’ve already spent time there. Even if your role is primarily legal or business-focused, you should demonstrate that you’ve engaged with the other side: maybe you sat in on legal negotiations at a startup, helped structure a term sheet, worked in compliance, or partnered with legal teams on data governance or contracts.

These experiences don’t need to be glamorous, but they should signal that you’re not entering this program naïvely. You understand what these fields demand, where they intersect, and how they complement each other. Use your resume and essays to highlight moments where you had to balance legal risk with business strategy, or navigate gray areas that required both ethical reasoning and commercial thinking.

5. A Clear, Aligned Narrative

Stanford’s AdComs read thousands of applications. What makes someone memorable is clarity of purpose, having a throughline that connects your academic choices, work experience, leadership, and long-term vision. That doesn’t mean being rigid or overly polished. It means knowing who you are, where you want to go, and why Stanford, and why this specific dual-degree format.

Your JD and MBA applications shouldn’t duplicate each other, but they should be in conversation. Don’t just copy-paste. Instead, build a unified narrative and decide what part of your story each school gets to tell. Use the law application to highlight your systems thinking, public impact orientation, and analytical depth. Use the MBA application to show your leadership, adaptability, and vision for scalable change. Together, they should read like two lenses on the same future.

Benefits of Pursuing a Joint JD/MBA at Stanford

The Stanford JD/MBA program offers a unique combination of academic depth, career opportunities, and professional access that few other joint degree programs can match. Students graduate with two powerful degrees from two of the most respected graduate schools in the country, all in a timeframe that accelerates their entry into high-impact careers.

• Time Efficiency: Complete both a Juris Doctor and an MBA degree in four years, compared to the five or six years it would take to pursue them separately. This allows students to enter the workforce earlier with dual credentials.
• Career Flexibility: JD/MBA graduates are competitive for roles across legal practice, investment banking, management consulting, corporate development, compliance, and general counsel tracks. The program is also a strong fit for those who want to move between private practice, public policy, and business leadership throughout their careers.
• Dual Alumni Networks: Students gain access to two global alumni communities: Stanford Law School and Stanford GSB. These networks provide mentorship, recruiting connections, and long-term professional support in both the legal and business sectors.
• Stanford Campus Resources: JD/MBA students can take full advantage of Stanford’s research centers and experiential learning programs, including:
  • Stanford Center on the Legal Profession
  • Stanford Venture Studio
  • Rock Center for Corporate Governance
  • CodeX – The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics
  • Startup Garage and GSB Impact Labs

For more JD/MBA programs, read: The 25 Best JD-MBA Programs for Dual-Degree Applicants

Is the Stanford JD/MBA Program Right for You?

Stanford’s JD/MBA program isn’t for everyone. It’s demanding, expensive, and requires a clear vision for how two world-class degrees will serve your long-term goals. But for the right applicant, it can be a high-leverage investment, unlocking roles, networks, and leadership paths that neither degree alone could fully deliver.

There are many different personas who may benefit from a Stanford JD/MBA. This list is not exhaustive, but here are several types of people who may get the most value from this dual-degree program.

M&A Lawyers Who Want to Move In-House or Lead Transactions

You’ll need legal credibility to negotiate contracts and manage risk, but also financial fluency and strategic vision to shape the deals themselves. The MBA opens the door to internal strategy roles or direct investor-side work, especially if you plan to move beyond advisory and into operational leadership later.

Example Roles:

• In-house legal counsel on deal teams
• Corporate development or strategy at a tech company
• M&A associate with plans to pivot into private equity

Founders Who Want to Build in Highly Regulated or IP-Heavy Fields

You’ll need to understand cap tables, fundraising, employment law, IP strategy, and risk management before you can afford outside counsel. At Stanford, you can test ideas in GSB’s Startup Garage while leveraging SLS resources like CodeX or the Center for Health Law and Policy. Founders in these spaces benefit from owning the legal foundation, not just outsourcing it.

Example Roles:

• Co-founder of a fintech, healthtech, or AI startup
• First legal hire or business-legal hybrid at a Series A company
• Entrepreneur building in a gray-space industry (e.g., crypto, data privacy, medtech)

Policy or Legal Professionals Who Want to Run Organizations

You’ll need legal training to navigate regulatory complexity, but also operational and financial skills to lead teams and manage budgets. Stanford’s strength in public interest law and social innovation (through SLS, GSB Impact Labs, and FSI) makes it uniquely suited to prepare public-sector leaders with business fluency.

Example Roles:

• Chief of staff or general counsel at a public agency or NGO
• Social impact or legal nonprofit founder/ED
• Climate, education, or tech policy strategist with plans to scale teams or programs

Consultants or Investors Who Want Legal Expertise to Differentiate

In investing, the edge often comes from seeing around legal corners; for example, structuring deals, navigating regulation, or advising portfolio companies. A JD allows you to dissect term sheets, cap tables, and compliance risk in ways most MBAs can’t. The dual degree builds both analytical and market credibility, especially in boardroom or advisory settings.

Example Roles:

• Venture capital or private equity investor with a focus on risk, compliance, or cross-border deals
• Strategy consultant advising in regulated industries (healthcare, energy, fintech)
• Investor or operator looking to stand out by understanding legal structuring and governance

Legal Professionals Looking to Pivot into Business (Without Starting Over)

If you’ve already earned your JD or started law school but realize you want a broader strategic role, the MBA gives you a launchpad, without needing to abandon your legal training. Stanford’s JD/MBA is designed to make this pivot possible without losing momentum.

Example Roles:

• Law firm associate looking to transition to biz ops, corp dev, or product strategy
• Junior attorney seeking to future-proof their career by gaining business credibility
• Legal analyst or contract manager with leadership ambitions inside a tech company

The JD/MBA program is likely not the best fit for you if you fit into one of the following categories:

• Applicants who are trying to delay a career decision
• Candidates without exposure to either field in practice
• Those seeking prestige without a specific cross-functional goal
• People whose goals can clearly be achieved with just a JD or MBA (e.g., courtroom litigation or general management)

Expert Tip: You don’t need to like both law and business: you need to need both. If your future roles involve navigating regulatory risk, structuring deals, building companies, or leading at the intersection of legal and business strategy, the Stanford JD/MBA can give you a serious advantage.

How to Get Into Stanford’s JD/MBA Program

Strategically sequence when you apply, based on your strengths

Stanford’s JD/MBA program is one of the only top options that allows sequential entry, meaning you can start at one school and apply to the other during your first year.

For many applicants, it’s a smarter primary strategy.

• If your LSAT is strong and your MBA story is still evolving, start at SLS and use your 1L year to test classes, build your resume, and refine your business school case.
• If you’re already in GSB range but have less exposure to legal work, apply to GSB first. Then build law-relevant experience (e.g., Rock Center projects, startup advising) during MBA1 to strengthen your law app.

Sequential applicants often submit stronger, more tailored second applications with better grades, updated test scores, stronger recs, and lived exposure to both schools.

Treat the JD/MBA as a product you’re pitching (not just a personal dream)

Admissions officers, especially at GSB, are trained to spot vague ambition and credential-chasing. Don’t just say you want to “combine law and business” to “make an impact.” That is noisy. Think about it instead like a founder pitching a product:

• What problem are you solving? (e.g., regulatory uncertainty in AI, lack of legal infrastructure for global startup expansion)
• Why are you uniquely suited to tackle it? (background, interests, work to date)
• Why is Stanford JD/MBA your seed funding? (tools, network, timeline, platform)

Use Stanford’s cross-enrollment system before you’re in the program

Here’s a lesser-known tip: Even before you're formally in the JD/MBA, students at one Stanford grad school can often cross-enroll in courses at another. That means:

• If you're at SLS, take a class at GSB (e.g., financial accounting, strategic management)
• If you're at GSB, enroll in a law school seminar (e.g., technology law, regulatory policy)

This demonstrates initiative and alignment, and gives you credibility when you apply to the second school. Even if you can’t formally enroll (e.g., limited seats), attending public events, speaker sessions, or research center gatherings (like CodeX or Rock Center) and referencing those in your essays/interviews shows deep engagement.

Get recommenders who can speak to both worlds

Don’t just submit two generic MBA or law recs. Your letters need to reinforce your JD/MBA narrative. For GSB, ask someone who can speak to your leadership, ambiguity tolerance, and business potential. For SLS, choose someone who can vouch for your analytical sharpness, intellectual curiosity, or policy fluency. Bonus points if a recommender has seen you operate across legal and business lines – even in small ways (e.g., cross-functional projects, advising legal clients, product compliance work).

Expert Tip: Brief your recommenders on the “why both?” angle of your application so they can reinforce (not repeat) your essays.

Show evidence that you understand the tradeoffs

AdComs want to know you’ve done your homework. A JD/MBA is expensive, intense, and can limit short-term career flexibility. If you acknowledge that, and can still make a compelling case, your application will sound far more mature and credible.

For example:

• “While I know the JD/MBA is a longer and more demanding path than a traditional MBA, I’ve seen firsthand how legal fluency is critical in the work I want to do in fintech regulation…”
• Or: “I considered doing just the JD, but after working with GCs at growth-stage startups, I saw how business strategy and legal structure are inseparable…”

The Bottom Line

The Stanford JD/MBA program isn’t just a dual degree; it’s a career accelerator for people who want to lead where law and business converge. Whether your path lies in venture capital, regulatory strategy, startup leadership, or corporate M&A, this program equips you with the tools, networks, and credibility to operate at the highest levels.

With access to both Stanford Law and GSB, students gain not just two world-class educations but entry into two of the most influential professional networks in the world. The program’s structure – four years instead of five or six – means you get back into the market faster, with more optionality and earning power than either degree alone could offer.

But this path isn’t for everyone. It requires clear-eyed vision, sharp execution, and a strong reason why you need both degrees. If that’s you, Stanford’s JD/MBA can be one of the most strategic investments you’ll ever make.

Want Help Applying to Stanford’s JD/MBA?

Work one-on-one with an admissions coach to sharpen your essays, prep for interviews, and build a strong application strategy. Explore our JD/MBA coaches here.

Read next:

• Stanford GSB: MBA Tuition & Fees Breakdown
• 5 Expert Tips for the "Why Stanford?" MBA Application Essay
• How Many Law Schools Should You Apply To?
• How to Write the "Why X Law School?" Essay (With Examples)

FAQs About the Stanford JD/MBA Program

How much does a JD/MBA make at Stanford?

• Stanford JD/MBA graduates typically earn starting base salaries ranging from $175,000 to $215,000, depending on the industry. Those who enter corporate law or private equity may also receive sign-on bonuses and performance-based compensation, which can add another $30,000 to $100,000+ to total first-year compensation. Career outcomes vary, but graduates entering top law firms, tech companies, or consulting firms tend to land on the higher end of the scale.

How many years is the Stanford JD/MBA program?

• The Stanford JD/MBA program takes four years (11 to 12 academic quarters) to complete. This is one year less than pursuing the two degrees separately. Students are enrolled in both Stanford Law School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and they must complete a total of 164 units across both programs.

Is a joint JD/MBA worth it?

• A joint JD/MBA can be worth it for students who want to work at the intersection of law and business. It offers strong career flexibility, access to two alumni networks, and a faster path to high-level roles in law firms, venture capital, consulting, government, or startups. However, it requires a significant time and financial investment, so it’s best suited for applicants with clear goals that require both degrees.

What is a JD/MBA degree salary?

• Salaries for JD/MBA graduates vary by industry, but the median base salary typically falls between $175,000 and $200,000, with total compensation often exceeding $250,000 in law or finance roles. Those entering startups, public interest, or policy may earn less initially but often benefit from faster career mobility and equity opportunities. Stanford graduates, in particular, tend to earn top-tier salaries due to the school’s strong employer reputation.