Head to head
Luiss University vs UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
The Luiss University and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
Luiss University
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
FT ranking 2025
#32
#33
QS ranking 2025
—
#43
Tuition
€17,000 per year (≈€34,000 over two years), full-time, plus Lazio regional tax
€16,150 (EU) / €23,870 (non-EU)
Median salary
$67k
$91k
Employment rate
88%
95%
GMAT range
—
—
Duration
24 months
12 months
Class size
—
—
Average age
—
—
International
—
—
Female
—
—
Location
Rome, Italy
Dublin, Ireland
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, Luiss University (#32) sits ahead of UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School (#33).
- On graduate salary, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School leads at $91k.
- On tuition, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is the more affordable option at €16,150 (EU) / €23,870 (non-EU).
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: Luiss University in Italy, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Ireland.
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 Luiss University or UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, Luiss University places #32 and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School #33, so Luiss University 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, Luiss University or UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School?
- Tuition is €17,000 per year (≈€34,000 over two years), full-time, plus Lazio regional tax at Luiss University and €16,150 (EU) / €23,870 (non-EU) at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Rome versus Dublin, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, Luiss University or UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School?
- UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School reports the higher graduate salary ($91k) against $67k at Luiss University. 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 Luiss University or UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School?
- Luiss University has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School generally expects a GMAT or GRE. 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 Luiss University or UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Rome, Italy versus Dublin, Ireland), 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.