Head to head
Università Bocconi vs Esade Business School
The Università Bocconi and Esade Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | Università Bocconi | Esade Business School |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #13 | #24 |
| QS ranking 2025 | #10 | #12 |
| Tuition | €18,550/year (≈€37,100 over two years) | €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300 |
| Salary (~3yr) | $115kFT 2025 | $117kFT 2025 |
| Employment rate | 95%2024 report · 12 months out | 91%3 months out |
| GMAT range | 600–720 | — |
| Duration | 24 months | 15 months |
| Class size | 280 | — |
| Average age | 23 | — |
| International | 41% | — |
| Female | 50% | — |
| Location | Milan, Italy | Barcelona, Spain |
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, Università Bocconi (#13) sits ahead of Esade Business School (#24).
- On the FT weighted salary — pay about three years after graduation — Esade Business School leads at $117k.
- On tuition, Università Bocconi is the more affordable option at €18,550/year (≈€37,100 over two years).
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: Università Bocconi in Italy, Esade Business School in Spain.
Rankings and salary are only part of the decision — fit with your target career, location, language, and cost of living usually matter more. Read each program in full before deciding.
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Frequently asked
Is Università Bocconi or Esade Business School ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, Università Bocconi places #13 and Esade Business School #24, so Università Bocconi ranks higher. A few places on one table rarely settle the decision, though — programme fit, location and cost usually matter more than the gap.
Which is more affordable, Università Bocconi or Esade Business School?
- Tuition is €18,550/year (≈€37,100 over two years) at Università Bocconi and €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300 at Esade Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Milan versus Barcelona, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, Università Bocconi or Esade Business School?
- Esade Business School reports the higher figure ($117k) against $115k at Università Bocconi. Both are measured about three years after graduation, so neither is a starting salary. Treat them as indicative: they reflect each cohort's industry mix and how the school surveys alumni as much as raw earning power.
Do you need the GMAT for Università Bocconi or Esade Business School?
- Università Bocconi generally looks for around 600–720; Esade Business School has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE. Test policies change each cycle, so confirm the current requirement on each school's own admissions page before assuming you can skip it.
Should I choose Università Bocconi or Esade Business School?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Milan, Italy versus Barcelona, Spain), the language of instruction, and your budget. Read both full profiles, weigh fit over a handful of ranking places, and if you are still torn, our admissions guide walks through building a shortlist you can defend.