Head to head
ESSEC Business School vs London Business School
The ESSEC Business School and London Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | ESSEC Business School | London Business School |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #10 | #10 |
| QS ranking 2025 | #3 | #2 |
| Tuition | €38,000/yr (Intensive, 1yr) – €21,500–€25,300/yr (Flexible, 2–3yrs) | £52,950 — the 2026-intake figure, the latest LBS publishes; no 2027 rate is out yet |
| Salary (~3yr) | $119kFT 2025 | $123kFT 2025 |
| Employment rate | 99%3 months out | 92%3 months out |
| GMAT range | 620–710 | 640–730 |
| Duration | 12–36 months (flexible track) | 12–16 months |
| Class size | 800 | 405 |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| International | 35% | 92% |
| Female | 50% | 52% |
| Location | Cergy, France | London, UK |
The short version
- On the FT weighted salary — pay about three years after graduation — London Business School leads at $123k.
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: ESSEC Business School in France, London Business School in UK.
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
Which is more affordable, ESSEC Business School or London Business School?
- Tuition is €38,000/yr (Intensive, 1yr) – €21,500–€25,300/yr (Flexible, 2–3yrs) at ESSEC Business School and £52,950 — the 2026-intake figure, the latest LBS publishes; no 2027 rate is out yet at London Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Cergy versus London, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, ESSEC Business School or London Business School?
- London Business School reports the higher figure ($123k) against $119k at ESSEC Business School. 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 ESSEC Business School or London Business School?
- ESSEC Business School generally looks for around 620–710; London Business School generally looks for around 640–730. 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 ESSEC Business School or London Business School?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Cergy, France versus London, UK), 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.