Head to head

ZHAW School of Management and Law vs Hanken School of Economics

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

ZHAW School of Management and Law
Hanken School of Economics
FT ranking 2025
#58
#60
QS ranking 2025
Tuition
CHF 720 per semester Swiss-domiciled (≈CHF 2,160); +CHF 500/semester for students domiciled abroad (≈CHF 3,660)
Free for EEA/EU/Swiss students; €15,000/year (€30,000 total) for non-EEA students
Median salary
$102k
$67k
Employment rate
100%
94%
GMAT range
Duration
15 months
24 months
Class size
Average age
26
International
56%
Female
Location
Winterthur, Switzerland
Helsinki, Finland

The short version

  • On the Financial Times 2025 ranking, ZHAW School of Management and Law (#58) sits ahead of Hanken School of Economics (#60).
  • On graduate salary, ZHAW School of Management and Law leads at $102k.
  • Geographically they are a different bet entirely: ZHAW School of Management and Law in Switzerland, Hanken School of Economics in Finland.

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 ZHAW School of Management and Law or Hanken School of Economics ranked higher?
On the Financial Times 2025 Masters in Management ranking, ZHAW School of Management and Law places #58 and Hanken School of Economics #60, so ZHAW School of Management and Law 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, ZHAW School of Management and Law or Hanken School of Economics?
Tuition is CHF 720 per semester Swiss-domiciled (≈CHF 2,160); +CHF 500/semester for students domiciled abroad (≈CHF 3,660) at ZHAW School of Management and Law and Free for EEA/EU/Swiss students; €15,000/year (€30,000 total) for non-EEA students at Hanken School of Economics. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Winterthur versus Helsinki, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Which has higher graduate salaries, ZHAW School of Management and Law or Hanken School of Economics?
ZHAW School of Management and Law reports the higher graduate salary ($102k) against $67k at Hanken 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 ZHAW School of Management and Law or Hanken School of Economics?
ZHAW School of Management and Law has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; Hanken School of Economics generally expects 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 ZHAW School of Management and Law or Hanken School of Economics?
There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Winterthur, Switzerland versus Helsinki, Finland), 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.