Head to head
EADA Business School vs University of Cologne
The EADA Business School and University of Cologne Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
EADA Business School
University of Cologne
FT ranking 2025
#36
#37
QS ranking 2025
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Tuition
€28,000 tuition, full-time
No tuition fees — €335.65 per semester social contribution (incl. nationwide transit pass)
Median salary
$80k
$120k
Employment rate
97%
83%
GMAT range
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Duration
10 months
24 months
Class size
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Average age
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International
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Female
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Location
Barcelona, Spain
Cologne, Germany
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, EADA Business School (#36) sits ahead of University of Cologne (#37).
- On graduate salary, University of Cologne leads at $120k.
- On tuition, University of Cologne is the more affordable option at No tuition fees — €335.65 per semester social contribution (incl. nationwide transit pass).
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: EADA Business School in Spain, University of Cologne in Germany.
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.
Frequently asked
Is EADA Business School or University of Cologne ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, EADA Business School places #36 and University of Cologne #37, so EADA Business School 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, EADA Business School or University of Cologne?
- Tuition is €28,000 tuition, full-time at EADA Business School and No tuition fees — €335.65 per semester social contribution (incl. nationwide transit pass) at University of Cologne. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Barcelona versus Cologne, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, EADA Business School or University of Cologne?
- University of Cologne reports the higher graduate salary ($120k) against $80k at EADA Business School. Treat headline salary figures 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 EADA Business School or University of Cologne?
- EADA Business School has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; University of Cologne 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 EADA Business School or University of Cologne?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Barcelona, Spain versus Cologne, Germany), 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.