Head to head
HEC Paris vs ESCP Business School
The HEC Paris and ESCP 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 | ESCP Business School |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #2 | #7 |
| QS ranking 2025 | #1 | #6 |
| Tuition | €57,700 | €48,600 (EU) – €56,000 (non-EU) |
| Median salary | $142k | $113k |
| Employment rate | 99% | 100% |
| GMAT range | 640–730 | 620–720 |
| Duration | 24 months | 24 months |
| Class size | 400 | 1300 |
| Average age | 23 | 22 |
| International | 40% | 98% |
| Female | 48% | 50% |
| Location | Jouy-en-Josas, France | Paris · Berlin · London · Madrid · Turin · Warsaw, France |
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, HEC Paris (#2) sits ahead of ESCP Business School (#7).
- On graduate salary, HEC Paris leads at $142k.
- On tuition, ESCP Business School is the more affordable option at €48,600 (EU) – €56,000 (non-EU).
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 ESCP Business School ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, HEC Paris places #2 and ESCP Business School #7, 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 ESCP Business School?
- Tuition is €57,700 at HEC Paris and €48,600 (EU) – €56,000 (non-EU) at ESCP 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 Paris · Berlin · London · Madrid · Turin · Warsaw, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, HEC Paris or ESCP Business School?
- HEC Paris reports the higher graduate salary ($142k) against $113k at ESCP Business School. Treat headline salary figures 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 ESCP Business School?
- HEC Paris generally looks for around 640–730; ESCP Business School generally looks for around 620–720. 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 ESCP 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 Paris · Berlin · London · Madrid · Turin · Warsaw, France), 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.