Head to head

ESB Business School vs Goethe University Frankfurt

The ESB Business School and Goethe University Frankfurt Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.

ESB Business School versus Goethe University Frankfurt Master in Management, compared on ranking, tuition, salary, selectivity and class profile.
Metric ESB Business School Goethe University Frankfurt
FT ranking 2025 — —
QS ranking 2025 — —
Tuition Public — no programme tuition; ~€199 per-semester contribution + €50 registration (EU/EEA). Non-EU/EEA students: Baden-Württemberg state tuition may apply — confirm on ESB's page No tuition fees — ~€334 per semester student contribution (incl. nationwide transit pass) — 2025–26
Median salary — —
Employment rate — —
GMAT range — —
Duration 15 months (90 ECTS; +~6 months with an integrated internship) — winter-semester (autumn) intake 24 months (4 semesters; max 8) — autumn (winter-semester) intake
Class size — 42
Average age — —
International — 80%
Female — —
Location Reutlingen, Germany Frankfurt am Main, Germany
ESB Business School full profile → Goethe University Frankfurt full profile →

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Frequently asked

Which is more affordable, ESB Business School or Goethe University Frankfurt?
Tuition is Public — no programme tuition; ~€199 per-semester contribution + €50 registration (EU/EEA). Non-EU/EEA students: Baden-Württemberg state tuition may apply — confirm on ESB's page at ESB Business School and No tuition fees — ~€334 per semester student contribution (incl. nationwide transit pass) — 2025–26 at Goethe University Frankfurt. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Reutlingen versus Frankfurt am Main, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Do you need the GMAT for ESB Business School or Goethe University Frankfurt?
ESB Business School has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; Goethe University Frankfurt 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 ESB Business School or Goethe University Frankfurt?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Reutlingen, Germany versus Frankfurt am Main, 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.