Head to head
University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) vs Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
The University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) and Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) | Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | — | — |
| QS ranking 2025 | — | — |
| Tuition | CHF 500 per semester (≈CHF 1,500 total) — flat public-university fee, all nationalities | CHF 5,000 per semester — CHF 20,000 across the four semesters — for students enrolling from 2027/28; reduced to CHF 2,000 per semester (CHF 8,000 total) for Swiss nationals and students resident in Switzerland, plus a CHF 100 application fee for candidates whose bachelor's was earned outside a Lisbon Convention country |
| Median salary | — | — |
| Employment rate | — | — |
| GMAT range | — | — |
| Duration | 18 months | 2 years full-time (120 ECTS / 4 semesters) — autumn (September) intake only |
| Class size | — | — |
| Average age | — | — |
| International | — | — |
| Female | — | — |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland | Lugano, Switzerland |
The short version
- On tuition, University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) is the more affordable option at CHF 500 per semester (≈CHF 1,500 total) — flat public-university fee, all nationalities.
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.
University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) full profile → Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) full profile →
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Frequently asked
Which is more affordable, University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) or Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)?
- Tuition is CHF 500 per semester (≈CHF 1,500 total) — flat public-university fee, all nationalities at University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) and CHF 5,000 per semester — CHF 20,000 across the four semesters — for students enrolling from 2027/28; reduced to CHF 2,000 per semester (CHF 8,000 total) for Swiss nationals and students resident in Switzerland, plus a CHF 100 application fee for candidates whose bachelor's was earned outside a Lisbon Convention country at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Geneva versus Lugano, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Do you need the GMAT for University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) or Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)?
- University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) 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 University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) or Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Geneva, Switzerland versus Lugano, Switzerland), 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.