Who Is In The Wharton MBA Class Of 2027? GMAT Scores, GPA, Undergraduate Majors And More

The world-renowned Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania offers one of the best MBA programs you can find around the globe. 

In fact, according to the Financial Times MBA Ranking the school's MBA is the best in the world in 2025. The program has topped the list more times than any other degree, including those offered by the likes of Harvard and Stanford. 

Known for its strength in finance, Wharton counts itself among the prestigious M7 business schools, an informal grouping of elite private business schools that are famously selective when it comes to admitting MBA candidates. 

Out of 7,613 applications this year, just 888 students were enrolled, making the overall enrollment rate for the business school just 11.6%. For those who make it into Wharton, the rewards can be huge: Wharton MBAs can expect to earn median salaries of $175,000 immediately after graduation.

Such selectiveness and prestige means the Wharton MBA application process is highly competitive, and the latest Wharton MBA class profile is as strong as ever.

In this BusinessBecause Breakdown of the Wharton MBA Class Profile, we analyze the Wharton MBA class of 2027, covering GMAT scores, diversity statistics, and students’ prior work experience.

Who makes up the Wharton MBA Class of 2027?

The Wharton MBA class of 2027 is diverse, but in some categories, not as diverse as in previous years. Students in the class of 2027 come from 68 different countries, with 26% of the total student body hailing from outside the US. In 2024 and 2025, the proportion of international students stood at 31%.

Among the class of 2027, 12% of the MBA students are LGBTQ+—a slight rise from 10% in the previous class. However, the percentage of women who make up the class has dropped from 47% in 2024 to 44% for the incoming class in the fall of 2025.  

Among the US students in the program, 13% identify as Black or African American (up from 6% in the Class of 2026) and 9% come from Hispanic or LatinX backgrounds (a 1% increase year-over-year). A further 33% of the class identifies as Asian American (up from 20% in the previous year) and 41% as White.  

Wharton also surveys the number of students on the MBA class enrolling in dual degree programs. The most popular dual degree programs are the Lauder Joint Degree in International Studies (72 students) and the Health Care Management dual degree (72 students).

READ: GMAT Score Range For Top Business Schools Like Stanford & Harvard

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How hard is it to get into the Wharton MBA? GMAT & GRE Scores

As with any M7 business school, GMAT and GRE scores for the Wharton MBA are typically on the higher end of the scale. While test scores will not be the sole reason you ace the Wharton MBA application, a high score could improve your chances.

The GMAT scoring system changed in 2024 as part of a new iteration of the test, meaning a good GMAT score for your MBA now looks different to previous years. Alongside an updated exam structure, the GMAT still sees test-takers graded in 10-point intervals, but with the minimum score being 205 and the maximum score being 805 (a change from the previous range of 200-800). 

This year Wharton's class profile includes both the average score for the updated GMAT exam and for the previous GMAT scoring system for its MBA class of 2027. The average score for the current GMAT Exam is 676, while the score for the previous GMAT is 735. These scores place the class in the top 5% of all GMAT takers.

In terms of the GRE, students averaged 163 in its quantitative section and 162 in its verbal section.

What are the Wharton MBA undergraduate majors & GPA?

Undergraduate majors and Grade Point Average (GPA) can be a great indicator for the kind of academic environment that will be created by your cohort when you enter an MBA program. 

Different specialisms bring different thinking styles and problem-solving approaches into the classroom, and while a humanities major and an engineer might not sound like the perfect mix for an MBA project on paper, in reality they can often produce a deeply thought-out and well-rounded final product.

Wharton is strong in this area—36% of this year’s MBAs come from humanities backgrounds. Among other students, 32% have a STEM background, while another 32% have a traditional business undergraduate major.

As for GPA, the Wharton MBA class of 2027 once again proves that a strong academic background can be an advantage for successful acceptance into a top MBA program. The GPA for this year’s cohort is 3.7,  remaining consistent with the class of 2026. 

What industries do Wharton MBA students come from?

While there is a 13-year range of work experience in the Wharton MBA class of 2027, the average number of years of work experience candidates bring to the program is five. This figure has remained constant for the previous four years, despite the work experience range shifting from 20 years for the class of 2025 to 17 years for the class of 2026 and then dropping again this year to 13 years. 

Wharton's average work experience is slightly higher than the average for MBA programs generally, indicating a cohort of seasoned professionals at the school.

Though many MBAs are seeking to pivot their careers—perhaps by changing industries entirely or by starting their own venture—the experience they bring from their previous roles will inform the conversations had with classmates, and the networks students can tap into.

However, the school doesn’t ask for a minimum or maximum number of years in the workforce from applicants. Instead, applicants are advised to emphasize the impact their work experience has had during their career so far. 

With The Wharton School being one of the best business schools for consulting in the world, it’s no surprise that the consulting sector is a strong feeder into the class, with a massive 31% hailing from that industry. 

Another top sector is finance, another expected pre-MBA industry considering the school's stellar history of shaping finance professionals. As many as 15% of the class hail from private equity or venture capital backgrounds, while 8% come from investment banking, and 6% from financial services. A further 4% list investment management as their pre-MBA industry.

Other industries represented by Wharton students this year include technology, nonprofits and government, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, the media/ entertainment, energy, and real estate. 

Who is the Wharton MBA for?

The Wharton School is a strong choice for MBA candidates who wish to enter the consulting or finance industries, although an MBA from this top-ranked school will likely be a passport to many lucrative careers. 

A strong percentage of the cohort each year enter from finance backgrounds, meaning you’ll be networking with some knowledgeable and well-connected financiers.

Wharton has also established a strong niche in healthcare management, thanks to its dual degree program, and as a world-renowned MBA it can set you up for the competitive field of consulting. 

There’s no need to fear if you have a background in humanities, either. If you can explain what you would bring to the Wharton MBA and what kind of impact you’ve made in your previous career, not having a business background won’t put you at a disadvantage. 

As with any top business school in the US, a high GMAT or GRE score is important for competing with the best candidates. To stand out as an applicant to Wharton, you should aim for a GMAT score in the 90th percentile. 

However, don’t ignore the importance of other sections in the Wharton MBA application. Wharton will be judging candidates on what makes them unique, and what impact they can bring to the world with an MBA degree.

*Wharton MBA class profile data updated on 09/24/25.