Head to head
University of St. Gallen vs ZHAW School of Management and Law
The University of St. Gallen and ZHAW School of Management and Law Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | University of St. Gallen | ZHAW School of Management and Law |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #1 | #58 |
| QS ranking 2025 | — | — |
| Tuition | CHF 10,673 (full program) | CHF 720 per semester Swiss-domiciled (≈CHF 2,160); +CHF 500/semester for students domiciled abroad (≈CHF 3,660); plus CHF 60/semester association fees and two one-off CHF 100 charges |
| Salary (~3yr) | $140kFT 2025 | $102kFT 2025 |
| Employment rate | 98%3 months out | 100%FT 2025 · 3 months out |
| GMAT range | 650–740 | — |
| Duration | 18 months | 15 months |
| Class size | 52 | — |
| Average age | 23 | 26 |
| International | 50% | 56% |
| Female | 50% | — |
| Location | St. Gallen, Switzerland | Winterthur, Switzerland |
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, University of St. Gallen (#1) sits ahead of ZHAW School of Management and Law (#58).
- On the FT weighted salary — pay about three years after graduation — University of St. Gallen leads at $140k.
- On tuition, ZHAW School of Management and Law is the more affordable option at CHF 720 per semester Swiss-domiciled (≈CHF 2,160); +CHF 500/semester for students domiciled abroad (≈CHF 3,660); plus CHF 60/semester association fees and two one-off CHF 100 charges.
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 University of St. Gallen or ZHAW School of Management and Law ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, University of St. Gallen places #1 and ZHAW School of Management and Law #58, so University of St. Gallen 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, University of St. Gallen or ZHAW School of Management and Law?
- Tuition is CHF 10,673 (full program) at University of St. Gallen and CHF 720 per semester Swiss-domiciled (≈CHF 2,160); +CHF 500/semester for students domiciled abroad (≈CHF 3,660); plus CHF 60/semester association fees and two one-off CHF 100 charges at ZHAW School of Management and Law. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in St. Gallen versus Winterthur, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, University of St. Gallen or ZHAW School of Management and Law?
- University of St. Gallen reports the higher figure ($140k) against $102k at ZHAW School of Management and Law. Both are measured about three years after graduation, so neither is a starting salary. Treat them 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 University of St. Gallen or ZHAW School of Management and Law?
- University of St. Gallen generally looks for around 650–740; ZHAW School of Management and Law 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 St. Gallen or ZHAW School of Management and Law?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (St. Gallen, Switzerland versus Winterthur, 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.