Head to head

Stockholm School of Economics vs ESSEC Business School

The Stockholm School of Economics and ESSEC Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.

Stockholm School of Economics versus ESSEC Business School Master in Management, compared on ranking, tuition, salary, selectivity and class profile.
Metric Stockholm School of Economics ESSEC Business School
FT ranking 2025 #9 #10
QS ranking 2025 — #3
Tuition Free (EU/EEA) · SEK 360,000 (non-EU/EEA) €38,500 (Intensive 1yr) – €79,000 (Flexible 2yr Singapore)
Median salary $109k $119k
Employment rate 90% 99%
GMAT range 595–735 (GMAT Focus median 625) 620–710
Duration 24 months 12–36 months (flexible track)
Class size 52 800
Average age 23 23
International 58% 35%
Female 37% 50%
Location Stockholm, Sweden Cergy, France

The short version

  • On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, Stockholm School of Economics (#9) sits ahead of ESSEC Business School (#10).
  • On graduate salary, ESSEC Business School leads at $119k.
  • Geographically they are a different bet entirely: Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden, ESSEC 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.

Stockholm School of Economics full profile → ESSEC Business School full profile →

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Build your shortlist Torn between Stockholm School of Economics and ESSEC Business School? Get a ranked shortlist matched to your budget, target career and profile in about a minute. Track their deadlines See Stockholm School of Economics and ESSEC Business School’s application rounds — and every other European MiM’s — in one live timeline.

Frequently asked

Is Stockholm School of Economics or ESSEC Business School ranked higher?
On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, Stockholm School of Economics places #9 and ESSEC Business School #10, so Stockholm School of Economics 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, Stockholm School of Economics or ESSEC Business School?
Tuition is Free (EU/EEA) · SEK 360,000 (non-EU/EEA) at Stockholm School of Economics and €38,500 (Intensive 1yr) – €79,000 (Flexible 2yr Singapore) at ESSEC Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Stockholm versus Cergy, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, Stockholm School of Economics or ESSEC Business School?
ESSEC Business School reports the higher graduate salary ($119k) against $109k at Stockholm School of Economics. 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 Stockholm School of Economics or ESSEC Business School?
Stockholm School of Economics generally looks for around 595–735 (GMAT Focus median 625); ESSEC Business School generally looks for around 620–710. 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 Stockholm School of Economics or ESSEC Business School?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Stockholm, Sweden versus Cergy, 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.