Head to head
HEC Paris vs Esade Business School
The HEC Paris and Esade Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | HEC Paris | Esade Business School |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #2 | #24 |
| QS ranking 2025 | #1 | #12 |
| Tuition | €58,900 (2027/2028 M1 intake, two years) | €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300 |
| Salary (~3yr) | $142kFT 2025 | $117kFT 2025 |
| Employment rate | 99%3 months out | 91%3 months out |
| GMAT range | 640–730 | — |
| Duration | 24 months | 15 months |
| Class size | 400 | — |
| Average age | 23 | — |
| International | 40% | — |
| Female | 48% | — |
| Location | Jouy-en-Josas, France | Barcelona, Spain |
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, HEC Paris (#2) sits ahead of Esade Business School (#24).
- On the FT weighted salary — pay about three years after graduation — HEC Paris leads at $142k.
- On tuition, Esade Business School is the more affordable option at €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300.
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: HEC Paris in France, Esade Business School in Spain.
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 Paris or Esade Business School ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, HEC Paris places #2 and Esade Business School #24, so HEC Paris 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 Paris or Esade Business School?
- Tuition is €58,900 (2027/2028 M1 intake, two years) at HEC Paris and €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300 at Esade Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Jouy-en-Josas versus Barcelona, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, HEC Paris or Esade Business School?
- HEC Paris reports the higher figure ($142k) against $117k at Esade 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 HEC Paris or Esade Business School?
- HEC Paris generally looks for around 640–730; Esade 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 HEC Paris or Esade Business School?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Jouy-en-Josas, France versus Barcelona, Spain), 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.