Head to head
IÉSEG School of Management vs IE Business School
The IÉSEG School of Management 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.
| Metric | IÉSEG School of Management | IE Business School |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #26 | #27 |
| QS ranking 2025 | #67 | #7 |
| Tuition | €13,200 per year (≈ €26,400 over the two-year Master cycle) | €51,200 |
| Median salary | $85k | $95k |
| Employment rate | 98% | 88% |
| GMAT range | — | 605–755 (avg 660) |
| Duration | 24 months | 15 months |
| Class size | — | 639 |
| Average age | — | 24 |
| International | — | 91% |
| Female | — | 47% |
| Location | Lille, France | Madrid, Spain |
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, IÉSEG School of Management (#26) sits ahead of IE Business School (#27).
- On graduate salary, IE Business School leads at $95k.
- On tuition, IÉSEG School of Management is the more affordable option at €13,200 per year (≈ €26,400 over the two-year Master cycle).
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: IÉSEG School of Management 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.
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Frequently asked
Is IÉSEG School of Management or IE Business School ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, IÉSEG School of Management places #26 and IE Business School #27, so IÉSEG School of Management 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, IÉSEG School of Management or IE Business School?
- Tuition is €13,200 per year (≈ €26,400 over the two-year Master cycle) at IÉSEG School of Management 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 Lille versus Madrid, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, IÉSEG School of Management or IE Business School?
- IE Business School reports the higher graduate salary ($95k) against $85k at IÉSEG School of Management. 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 IÉSEG School of Management or IE Business School?
- IÉSEG School of Management 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 IÉSEG School of Management or IE Business School?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Lille, 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.