Head to head
INSEAD vs Università Bocconi
The INSEAD and Università Bocconi Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
INSEAD
Università Bocconi
FT ranking 2025
#3
#13
QS ranking 2025
#5
#10
Tuition
€57,870
€36,000 (2 years)
Median salary
$127k
$115k
Employment rate
92%
95%
GMAT range
640–730
600–720
Duration
14–16 months
24 months
Class size
217
280
Average age
22
23
International
95%
41%
Female
36%
50%
Location
Fontainebleau, France
Milan, Italy
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, INSEAD (#3) sits ahead of Università Bocconi (#13).
- On graduate salary, INSEAD leads at $127k.
- On tuition, Università Bocconi is the more affordable option at €36,000 (2 years).
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: INSEAD in France, Università Bocconi in Italy.
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 INSEAD or Università Bocconi ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, INSEAD places #3 and Università Bocconi #13, so INSEAD 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, INSEAD or Università Bocconi?
- Tuition is €57,870 at INSEAD and €36,000 (2 years) at Università Bocconi. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Fontainebleau versus Milan, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, INSEAD or Università Bocconi?
- INSEAD reports the higher graduate salary ($127k) against $115k at Università Bocconi. 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 INSEAD or Università Bocconi?
- INSEAD generally looks for around 640–730; Università Bocconi generally looks for around 600–720. 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 INSEAD or Università Bocconi?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Fontainebleau, France versus Milan, Italy), 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.