Head to head

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School vs EADA Business School

The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and EADA Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
EADA Business School
FT ranking 2025
#33
#36
QS ranking 2025
#43
Tuition
€16,150 (EU) / €23,870 (non-EU)
€28,000 tuition, full-time
Median salary
$91k
$80k
Employment rate
95%
97%
GMAT range
Duration
12 months
10 months
Class size
Average age
International
Female
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Barcelona, Spain

The short version

  • On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School (#33) sits ahead of EADA Business School (#36).
  • 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: UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Ireland, EADA 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.

Frequently asked

Is UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School or EADA Business School ranked higher?
On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School places #33 and EADA Business School #36, so UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School 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, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School or EADA Business School?
Tuition is €16,150 (EU) / €23,870 (non-EU) at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and €28,000 tuition, full-time at EADA Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Dublin versus Barcelona, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School or EADA Business School?
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School reports the higher graduate salary ($91k) against $80k at EADA Business School. 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 UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School or EADA Business School?
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School generally expects a GMAT or GRE; EADA 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 UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School or EADA Business School?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Dublin, Ireland versus Barcelona, 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.