Head to head
HEC Lausanne vs NHH Norwegian School of Economics
The HEC Lausanne and NHH Norwegian School of Economics Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | HEC Lausanne | NHH Norwegian School of Economics |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #75 | #83 |
| QS ranking 2025 | — | — |
| Tuition | CHF 580 per semester (≈CHF 2,320 total) — flat public-university fee, all nationalities | Free for EEA/EU/Swiss students; NOK 204,000/year (NOK 408,000 total) for non-EEA students — plus a ≈NOK 910/semester Sammen registration fee every student pays |
| Salary (~3yr) | $97kFT 2025 | $77kFT 2025 |
| Employment rate | 66%FT 2025 · 3 months out | 93%3 months out |
| GMAT range | — | GMAT Focus 555 / GMAT (previous format) 600 / GRE Quantitative 152 — required unless you hold 90 ECTS from a Nordic institution, a degree from a CEMS or PIM school, or 30 ECTS already passed at NHH |
| Duration | 24 months | 24 months |
| Class size | — | — |
| Average age | — | — |
| International | — | — |
| Female | — | — |
| Location | Lausanne, Switzerland | Bergen, Norway |
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, HEC Lausanne (#75) sits ahead of NHH Norwegian School of Economics (#83).
- On the FT weighted salary — pay about three years after graduation — HEC Lausanne leads at $97k.
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: HEC Lausanne in Switzerland, NHH Norwegian School of Economics in Norway.
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 HEC Lausanne or NHH Norwegian School of Economics ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, HEC Lausanne places #75 and NHH Norwegian School of Economics #83, so HEC Lausanne 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, HEC Lausanne or NHH Norwegian School of Economics?
- Tuition is CHF 580 per semester (≈CHF 2,320 total) — flat public-university fee, all nationalities at HEC Lausanne and Free for EEA/EU/Swiss students; NOK 204,000/year (NOK 408,000 total) for non-EEA students — plus a ≈NOK 910/semester Sammen registration fee every student pays at NHH Norwegian School of Economics. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Lausanne versus Bergen, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, HEC Lausanne or NHH Norwegian School of Economics?
- HEC Lausanne reports the higher figure ($97k) against $77k at NHH Norwegian School of Economics. 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 HEC Lausanne or NHH Norwegian School of Economics?
- HEC Lausanne has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; NHH Norwegian School of Economics generally looks for around GMAT Focus 555 / GMAT (previous format) 600 / GRE Quantitative 152 — required unless you hold 90 ECTS from a Nordic institution, a degree from a CEMS or PIM school, or 30 ECTS already passed at NHH. 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 HEC Lausanne or NHH Norwegian School of Economics?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Lausanne, Switzerland versus Bergen, Norway), 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.