Head to head

Maastricht University vs ICN Business School

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

Maastricht University versus ICN Business School Master in Management, compared on ranking, tuition, salary, selectivity and class profile.
Metric Maastricht University ICN Business School
FT ranking 2025 #65 #67
QS ranking 2025
Tuition €2,694/year (EU/EEA) · ~€21,500/year (non-EU/EEA), 2026/27 ~€14,800 (Year 1) · ~€14,500/yr (Years 2–3) — 2026
Median salary $81k
Employment rate 100%
GMAT range GMAT Focus 515 (or 550 on the older version) / GRE equivalent; waived for holders of an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited bachelor's
Duration 12 months 3 years (September intake) — the master cycle is the final two years
Class size
Average age
International
Female
Location Maastricht, Netherlands Nancy, France

The short version

  • On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, Maastricht University (#65) sits ahead of ICN Business School (#67).
  • On tuition, Maastricht University is the more affordable option at €2,694/year (EU/EEA) · ~€21,500/year (non-EU/EEA), 2026/27.
  • Geographically they are a different bet entirely: Maastricht University in Netherlands, ICN Business School in France.

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 Maastricht University or ICN Business School ranked higher?
On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, Maastricht University places #65 and ICN Business School #67, so Maastricht 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, Maastricht University or ICN Business School?
Tuition is €2,694/year (EU/EEA) · ~€21,500/year (non-EU/EEA), 2026/27 at Maastricht University and ~€14,800 (Year 1) · ~€14,500/yr (Years 2–3) — 2026 at ICN Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Maastricht versus Nancy, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Do you need the GMAT for Maastricht University or ICN Business School?
Maastricht University generally looks for around GMAT Focus 515 (or 550 on the older version) / GRE equivalent; waived for holders of an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited bachelor's; ICN Business School has an admission route that does not require 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 Maastricht University or ICN Business School?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Maastricht, Netherlands versus Nancy, France), 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.