Darla Moore School of Business
General Information about Darla Moore School of Business
About (Overview)
The Darla Moore School of Business is the business school of the University of South Carolina, located in Columbia, South Carolina. Since its establishment in 1919, it has matured into an internationally recognized institution with a strong reputation in global business, analytics, and experiential learning. The Moore School emphasizes combining rigorous business fundamentals with data fluency, international exposure, and real-world application. Its faculty, numbering over 150 scholars and practitioners, lead cutting-edge research and maintain strong industry and corporate partnerships. The school supports a student body of more than 5,500 undergraduates and roughly 800 graduate students, spanning undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and executive programs.
A hallmark of the school is its long-standing dominance in international business education: its undergraduate international business major has been ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for decades, and its MBA international programs similarly receive top honors. The school’s curriculum is intentionally designed to produce data-proficient, analytically capable graduates ready to solve evolving business challenges in a global economy. Its campus building, designed with sustainability in mind, sits in the heart of Columbia and functions as a hub connecting downtown, university, and business communities.
Contact Information
Address:
Darla Moore School of Business
1014 Greene Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Phone Number: 803-777-7400 (main line)
Email / General Inquiry: graduate admissions email (for MBA) often listed as diondra.black@moore.sc.edu; undergraduate and general inquiries are handled via the business school’s central office
School Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1919 |
| Type | Public business school (part of University of South Carolina) |
| Dean | Rohit Verma |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | ~5,500 students |
| Graduate Enrollment | ~800 students |
| Faculty | Approximately 200 (full time & affiliate) |
| Accreditation | AACSB accredited |
| Named After | Darla Moore (major benefactor) |
| Endowment | ~US$228,900,502 (circa 2024) |
| Campus Building | LEED Platinum certified, modern facility in Columbia’s Innovista district |
Darla Moore School of Business Rankings
| Domain | Ranking / Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Undergraduate Business Program (overall) | Ranked No. 57 per recent Poets & Quants profile |
| Undergraduate International Business | No. 1 in the U.S. for multiple consecutive years |
| MBA / Graduate Business | Full-time MBA: ranked among # 72 in U.S. MBA Rankings |
| Global MBA / International Programs | Positioned within # 201–250 globally in full-time MBA rankings |
| Specialty Disciplines | Operations & Supply Chain: top 3 nationally; Risk Management and Insurance is recognized globally |
Darla Moore School of Business Academics
Darla Moore School of Business Faculties / Departments
The Moore School organizes its academic structure around functional and interdisciplinary areas rather than rigid colleges. Key units include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics / Business Economics
- Marketing
- Management & Management Science
- Operations & Supply Chain / Analytics
- International Business / Global Programs
- Real Estate
- Risk Management & Insurance
- Sustainability & Responsible Leadership
- Business Analytics / Data Science
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Darla Moore School of Business Courses and Programs / Majors
Some of the programs and majors available include:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with majors such as Accounting, Finance, International Business, Marketing, Management, Operations & Supply Chain, Risk Management & Insurance, Real Estate, and Business Economics
- Undergraduate concentration in Business Analytics
- Full-time MBA (including International MBA and One-Year MBA options)
- Part-time / Professional MBA
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Graduate certificate in Business Analytics
- Executive education and nondegree certificate programs
- PhD / doctoral programs in business disciplines
Online Learning
The Moore School offers hybrid and remote elements especially in its Professional MBA programs, where evening classes are delivered live via video conferencing to regional sites (e.g. Charleston, Charlotte) in real time. The school also integrates digital and blended components into executive education and selected graduate courses. This approach allows working professionals to engage with the Moore curriculum without relocating to Columbia full time.
Average Test Scores (Undergraduate / Graduate)
| Program | Typical Score / Range |
|---|---|
| MBA (Full-time) | GMAT 610–710 (25th–75th percentile) |
| MBA | Average GPA range around 3.30 (varies) |
| Undergraduate (Business) | Formal published test score ranges are not always emphasized; admission is competitive and holistic |
Retention and Graduation Rates
The Moore School benefits from the broader University of South Carolina context, which exhibits strong retention and graduation metrics. Among business students, retention from one year to the next is high given structured advising and support. Graduation within 4 to 5 years is typical for those entering on the traditional path, while many expand to 5 years if pursuing double majors, study abroad, or co-ops. The school also tracks employment outcomes rather than only graduation rates, underscoring its commitment to career placement and applied learning.
Darla Moore School of Business Admissions
GPA Range and Test Score Range
Prospective MBA candidates to Moore typically present undergraduate GPAs around 3.30 or higher, and GMAT scores in the 610–710 range. Work experience is also a key factor: the average admitted MBA applicant has around 4.5 years of professional experience, and average applicant age is near 28 years.
Darla Moore School of Business Acceptance Rate
| Program | Acceptance Rate / Metric |
|---|---|
| Graduate (MBA programs) | ~33% per published data (Princeton Review) |
Darla Moore School of Business Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their official undergraduate transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores (unless waived or optional), a current resume, letters of recommendation (often 2), a statement of purpose / personal essay, and responses to any supplemental prompts. Work history and career goals are heavily considered. For international students, proof of English language proficiency is required. The school may also invite interviews. The evaluation is holistic: essays, professional trajectory, leadership potential, quantitative ability, and fit with the Moore community all carry weight.
Application Process
- Complete the MBA / master’s application form
- Submit official transcripts and academic records
- Provide GMAT / GRE test scores (as required or opted)
- Submit a resume detailing work experience
- Provide two or more letters of recommendation
- Write a personal statement / essays and respond to any prompts
- Interview (if invited)
- Receive admission decision and commit
Darla Moore School of Business Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Round / Program | Deadline / Typical Period |
|---|---|
| MBA Round 1 | December 1 |
| MBA Round 2 | January 15 |
| MBA Round 3 | March 1 |
| MBA Round 4 | April 15 |
| Rolling / Regular | Up to June 1 |
Essay Prompt
Typical essay prompts ask applicants to reflect on a pivotal professional or life experience, articulate career aspirations, leadership and global mindset, and to explain how Moore’s international business emphasis and programs will support their goals.
Darla Moore School of Business Scholarships
Moore offers merit-based fellowships and scholarships for MBA students, often tied to academic credentials, leadership, and diversity criteria. Award amounts and availability depend on applicant pool strength. Undergraduate scholarships at USC more broadly can also support Moore students, particularly through university and donor funds, as well as state and federal aid.
Darla Moore School of Business Tuition and Fees
| Program Type | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Full-time MBA Tuition | Varies; published data places Moore in mid to upper tiers among public business schools |
| Undergraduate Tuition (in-state / out-of-state) | Following University of South Carolina standard business school tuition rates |
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
The Moore School’s student body is diverse across gender, ethnicity, and geography. Undergraduate cohorts typically include a balanced mix of male and female students, with notable representation of minority groups given USC’s regional draw. Graduate MBA classes have a wider age span (late 20s to mid 30s) and draw applicants from national and international backgrounds, further enhancing demographic variety.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Moore participates in initiatives to enhance access to underrepresented and underprivileged students, including Rising Scholars and Business Success Academy programs, particularly for South Carolina residents who are first-generation or low-income. These programs may include scholarships, housing stipends, mentoring, and retention support. Students with disabilities may request accommodations, and USC’s disability services coordinate access and inclusion across the building and course modalities.
Student Body (Total Students, International Students, etc.)
| Category | Number / Percentage |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students | ~5,500 |
| Graduate Students | ~800 |
| Total Student Body | ~6,300 |
| International Students | Significant presence in MBA and specialized programs Example: MBA international programs report globally diverse cohorts |
University Diversity
Diversity is central to Moore’s identity. The school emphasizes global business education, international partnerships, and multicultural immersion as core pillars. With over 98 partner universities across 51 countries, student mobility and exchange are integral to the experience. The curriculum, research centers, and student organizations underscore cross-cultural sensitivity, global strategy, and inclusive leadership. Programs like cohort tracks in geographical business regions (e.g. China, Europe, Middle East) further embed diversity. On campus, affinity groups, diversity councils, and global business clubs provide safe spaces and dialogue among underrepresented identities. The Moore School aims to bring diverse student voices into boardroom conversations, leveraging difference rather than treating it as a checkbox.
Average Earnings
For undergraduates, Moore reports that the class of 2024 achieved an average starting salary of about USD 68,055, and a job placement rate of around 81 %. Graduate outcomes are strong: for its MBA programs, three-month postgraduation employment rates exceed 90 %, with average compensation in the range of USD 81,000 to over USD 100,000 depending on the program track and location. For international MBA cohorts, average salaries can be even higher. These earnings reflect Moore’s strength in international business, corporate networks, and geographic advantage in the Southeastern business corridor. The return on investment is bolstered by high employment rates, corporate partnerships, experiential projects, and the school’s reputation in supply chain and global disciplines.
Darla Moore School of Business Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
The Moore School employs a robust faculty composed of tenured and tenure-track professors, clinical faculty, visiting scholars, and adjunct professionals from business practice. With an approximate faculty count of around 200, this allows favorable student-faculty engagement. Non-academic staff support includes admissions, career services, research centers, student advising, IT, facilities, and administrative offices. The sustainable, modern building supports integrated workspaces for staff, researchers, and students alike.
Faculty Profiles (Expertise, Achievements)
Faculty at Moore are recognized scholars in international business, supply chain, risk management, operations, data analytics, and real estate. Key achievements include awards in global business research, leadership in supply chain associations, grant funding, and publications in top journals. The Management Science department won the 2024 UPS George D. Smith Prize from INFORMS. Moore faculty often hold dual roles as consultants, editorial board members, and corporate partners. Their scholarship, combined with the school’s 13 research centers, drives applied student engagement, consulting projects, and executive education.
Darla Moore School of Business Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
As part of the University of South Carolina, Moore students share access to USC’s residential infrastructure. Housing options include university residence halls, on-campus apartments, and affiliated housing in Columbia. Costs vary by building, room type, and meal plan. Moore’s facility, located downtown near USC Innovista, features state-of-the-art classrooms, a trading room, collaborative spaces, and a central courtyard. The design fosters interaction, academic synergy, and integration with the surrounding urban environment. Student life centers around business clubs, ethics conferences, global immersion events, guest lectures, and interdisciplinary programs rather than a single business-school bubble.
Transportation
The Moore School is connected to Columbia’s transit infrastructure, including bus lines and pedestrian access. Its downtown location makes it accessible to city amenities, business districts, and public transit routes. On-campus mobility is smooth: classrooms, lounges, event spaces, and faculty offices are arranged compactly within the building. For students coming from further residence halls or off-campus housing, walking, shuttle services, biking, or public transit are viable options. The urban placement situates Moore at the intersection of academia, business, and community, enhancing real-world engagement and connectivity.