Head to head
WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management vs Esade Business School
The WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and Esade Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management | Esade Business School |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #22 | #24 |
| QS ranking 2025 | #22 | #12 |
| Tuition | €40,400 (120-credit track) | €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300 |
| Salary (~3yr) | $128kFT 2025 | $117kFT 2025 |
| Employment rate | 90%3 months out | 91%3 months out |
| GMAT range | — | — |
| Duration | 21 months | 15 months |
| Class size | 56 | — |
| Average age | — | — |
| International | 29% | — |
| Female | 48% | — |
| Location | Vallendar, Germany | Barcelona, Spain |
The short version
- On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (#22) sits ahead of Esade Business School (#24).
- On the FT weighted salary — pay about three years after graduation — WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management leads at $128k.
- On tuition, Esade Business School is the more affordable option at €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300.
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany, Esade 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.
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Frequently asked
Is WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management or Esade Business School ranked higher?
- On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management places #22 and Esade Business School #24, so WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management 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, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management or Esade Business School?
- Tuition is €40,400 (120-credit track) at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and €39,000 for the 2027-2028 cycle (one-year MSc, the intake now open) plus a €150 application fee; €37,500 was the 2026-2027 figure. A second year adds to that: CEMS MIM €55,200 in total, an Esade or partner-school double degree €60,300 at Esade Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Vallendar versus Barcelona, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management or Esade Business School?
- WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management reports the higher figure ($128k) against $117k at Esade Business School. 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 WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management or Esade Business School?
- WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management generally expects a GMAT or GRE; Esade 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 WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management or Esade Business School?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Vallendar, Germany 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.