Head to head

HEC Paris vs IE Business School

The HEC Paris and IE Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.

HEC Paris versus IE Business School Master in Management, compared on ranking, tuition, salary, selectivity and class profile.
Metric HEC Paris IE Business School
FT ranking 2025 #2 #27
QS ranking 2025 #1 #7
Tuition €58,900 (2027/2028 M1 intake, two years) €51,200
Salary (~3yr) $142kFT 2025 $95kFT 2025
Employment rate 99%3 months out 88%3 months out
GMAT range 640–730 605–755 (avg 660)
Duration 24 months 15 months
Class size 400 639
Average age 23 24
International 40% 91%
Female 48% 47%
Location Jouy-en-Josas, France Madrid, Spain

The short version

  • On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, HEC Paris (#2) sits ahead of IE Business School (#27).
  • On the FT weighted salary — pay about three years after graduation — HEC Paris leads at $142k.
  • On tuition, IE Business School is the more affordable option at €51,200.
  • Geographically they are a different bet entirely: HEC Paris in France, IE 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.

HEC Paris full profile → IE Business School full profile →

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Build your shortlist Torn between HEC Paris and IE Business School? Get a ranked shortlist matched to your budget, target career and profile in about a minute. Track their deadlines See HEC Paris and IE Business School’s application rounds — and every other European MiM’s — in one live timeline.

Frequently asked

Is HEC Paris or IE Business School ranked higher?
On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, HEC Paris places #2 and IE Business School #27, 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 IE Business School?
Tuition is €58,900 (2027/2028 M1 intake, two years) at HEC Paris and €51,200 at IE 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 Madrid, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, HEC Paris or IE Business School?
HEC Paris reports the higher figure ($142k) against $95k at IE 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 IE Business School?
HEC Paris generally looks for around 640–730; IE Business School generally looks for around 605–755 (avg 660). 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 IE 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 Madrid, 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.