GradROI
ROI Comparison · 2026

Darden (UVA) vs Fuqua (Duke)

Darden and Fuqua are mid-top-14 MBAs in the South (Charlottesville and Durham). Darden is 100% case-method and produces general managers; Fuqua is team-based with a standout healthcare concentration (Duke Medicine partnership). Both are ~$75-80k tuition — cheaper than M7 peers.

Head-to-Head: Key Metrics

MetricDarden (UVA)Fuqua (Duke)
Tuition (per year)$75,650Better$79,300
Median Starting Salary$160,000$160,000
10-Year Net ROI (est.)$340,000Better$330,000
Acceptance Rate25.0%Better22.0%
Duration2 years2 years
US News Ranking#14#12Better

Green highlight = better on that metric. Tuition: lower is better. Salary/ROI: higher is better. Acceptance: higher = easier to get in. Duration: shorter = less opportunity cost.

Who Should Choose Which?

Healthcare-focused MBA (biotech, hospital admin, health-tech)

→ Fuqua (Duke): Fuqua's Duke Medicine partnership + Health Sector Management concentration is the strongest US MBA-health pipeline.

General management + consulting career switcher

→ Darden (UVA): Darden's 100% case-method + #1 teaching reputation produces generalists ready for consulting / GM tracks.

Tech / PM aspirant

→ Fuqua (Duke): Fuqua's Research Triangle (RTP) tech proximity is deeper than Charlottesville's.

Strengths & Trade-offs

Darden (UVA)

Case-method two-year MBA known for teaching excellence; strong consulting + general management placement.

Strengths

  • 100% case-method — deepest commitment of any top MBA
  • Teaching excellence consistently ranks #1 among US MBAs
  • Charlottesville location affordable compared to NYC/SF peers

Trade-offs

  • Lower median base than M7 peers (~$160k)
  • Case-method-only style doesn't suit all learners
  • Smaller recruiting footprint outside consulting + general management
Fuqua (Duke)

Team-based two-year MBA with strong healthcare + consulting pipelines; Duke alumni network in the Research Triangle.

Strengths

  • Deepest healthcare + health-tech MBA pipeline (Duke Medicine partnership)
  • Strong consulting placement + team-based culture
  • Research Triangle tech scene for PM/tech-pivot applicants

Trade-offs

  • Lower brand recognition outside US East Coast
  • Durham is not a major career hub like Boston/NYC/SF
  • Smaller international alumni footprint than INSEAD/LBS

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition comparison?

Darden 2025-26 is $75,650/year (in-state) / ~$81k (out-of-state). Fuqua is $79,300/year flat. Similar all-in 2-year costs of ~$180-200k.

Starting salary?

Both report Class of 2024 median base around $160,000. Consulting-bound candidates push that higher; industry + ops roles pull it lower.

Which is better for career-switchers?

Darden — 100% case-method is faster for skill-building in a new industry. Fuqua's team-based approach is more forgiving but slower.

Acceptance rates?

Darden: ~25%. Fuqua: ~22%. Both are top-14 selective but less competitive than M7 peers.

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