Head to head

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management vs ESB Business School

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

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management versus ESB Business School Master in Management, compared on ranking, tuition, salary, selectivity and class profile.
Metric Frankfurt School of Finance & Management ESB Business School
FT ranking 2025 #62
QS ranking 2025
Tuition €35,500 (full programme 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
Median salary $111k
Employment rate 96%
GMAT range
Duration 24 months 15 months (90 ECTS; +~6 months with an integrated internship) — winter-semester (autumn) intake
Class size
Average age 23
International 49%
Female
Location Frankfurt, Germany Reutlingen, Germany

The short version

  • On tuition, ESB Business School is the more affordable option at 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.

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.

Narrow it down — free tools

Frequently asked

Which is more affordable, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management or ESB Business School?
Tuition is €35,500 (full programme tuition) at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and 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. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Frankfurt versus Reutlingen, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Do you need the GMAT for Frankfurt School of Finance & Management or ESB Business School?
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management generally expects a GMAT or GRE; ESB 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 Frankfurt School of Finance & Management or ESB Business School?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Frankfurt, Germany versus Reutlingen, 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.