Head to head

IESE Business School vs IE Business School

The IESE Business School 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.

IESE Business School
IE Business School
FT ranking 2025
#16
#27
QS ranking 2025
#11
#7
Tuition
€52,000
€51,200
Median salary
$114k
$95k
Employment rate
97%
88%
GMAT range
605–755 (avg 660)
Duration
11 months
15 months
Class size
639
Average age
23
24
International
91%
Female
47%
Location
Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain

The short version

  • On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, IESE Business School (#16) sits ahead of IE Business School (#27).
  • On graduate salary, IESE Business School leads at $114k.
  • On tuition, IE Business School is the more affordable option at €51,200.

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.

Frequently asked

Is IESE Business School or IE Business School ranked higher?
On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, IESE Business School places #16 and IE Business School #27, so IESE Business School 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, IESE Business School or IE Business School?
Tuition is €52,000 at IESE Business School 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 Madrid versus Madrid, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, IESE Business School or IE Business School?
IESE Business School reports the higher graduate salary ($114k) against $95k at IE 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 IESE Business School or IE Business School?
IESE Business School generally expects a GMAT or GRE; 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 IESE Business School or IE Business School?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Madrid, Spain 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.