European business schools continue to attract top talent worldwide as they offer a good combination of academic rigour, culturally diverse environment and access to global career opportunities. The shorter duration and the lower costs involved make them a favourable option in terms of ROI.
In this article, we’ve listed down the European schools that offer the highest post-MBA salaries, ranked on the basis of weighted salary provided by The Financial Times (FT) 2024 [defined as the ‘average alumni salary three years after completion, US$ PPP equivalent, with adjustment for variations between sectors’.]
We’ve covered the career-related data for each of these top schools. Since the 2024 detailed employment reports for several schools were not yet available, we’ve used the previous year data for comparison, to maintain consistency.
Top 10 European Business Schools that pay the highest MBA salaries
| FT Global Ranking | Business School | Country | Weighted salary US$ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | SDA Bocconi | Italy | $202,534 |
| 2 | INSEAD | France | $198,904 |
| 8 | London Business School | UK | $192,331 |
| 5 | IESE Business School | Spain | $186,339 |
| 17 | ESADE | Spain | $182,414 |
| 29 | Cambridge – Judge | UK | $176,786 |
| 12 | HEC Paris | France | $175,673 |
| 26 | Oxford – Said | UK | $175,338 |
| 20 | IE Business School | Spain | $172,982 |
| 36 | IMD | Switzerland | $172,325 |
European Business Schools with the Highest MBA Salaries
1. SDA Bocconi
This well-known European business school based in Milan, Italy has one of the largest campuses in Europe.
Its MBA program has managed to retain its top position, giving tough competition to the elite US MBA programs by moving up 3 places from the previous year to rank 3rd in the 2024 FT global MBA rankings. It has also ranked 3rd in the Bloomberg Best European Business School Rankings 2024-25.
The full-time MBA program spanning 12-15 months begins in September with 100+ students who come from over 30 countries with an average experience of 6 years.
The MBA class saw the highest placements in the following industries: boutique consulting, strategy consulting, financial services, industrial goods, retail & luxury, healthcare and technology. 91% of the MBA graduates found jobs within 3 months of graduation. 89% of the class saw a career change: change of country or sector or function.
The average post-MBA gross salary was €97,663, the other guaranteed compensation was €25,531 while the average total salary was €123,202.
| Gross salary | Other guaranteed compensation | Average total salary |
|---|---|---|
| €97,663 | €25,531 | €123,202 |
2. INSEAD
INSEAD’s global reputation is evident from the fact that it has consistently maintained its position among the top 3 in the prestigious FT global MBA rankings.
The accelerated 10-month MBA program begins at the France or Singapore campus. The cohort is highly diverse with 1000 students from 110 different nationalities.
INSEAD happens to be a favourite MBA destination for aspiring management consultants. Due to its strong industry connections and its vast alumni network, the career outcomes are very impressive.
The MBA class saw 61% of the students getting placed into management consulting, 14% found jobs in financial services while 9% got into tech, media and telecom.
Over 260 unique companies recruited MBA graduates across 57 countries, the top recruiters being the MBB, with McKinsey & Co. hiring 124, BCG hiring 83 and Bain & Co. hiring 71.
78% of the students managed a change of location or sector or job function while 25% achieved the post-MBA triple jump (change of all 3).
Compensation by industry
| Industry | Overall annual mean salary | Overall median sign-on bonus | Overall median performance bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries (overall) | €113,400 | €28,500 | €25,100 |
| Management Consulting | €118,200 | €28,500 | €26,800 |
| Financial services | €105,400 | €33,400 | €25,100 |
| Technology, media & telecom | €103,900 | €27,900 | €26,600 |
Also read: Why are MBA salaries so high?
3. London Business School
Located strategically in the heart of the major financial hub – the vibrant city of London, LBS attracts a lot of MBA aspirants due to its global reputation, diverse student body and the unparalleled career opportunities it offers.
The program begins early August with a class size of around 500, out of which only 10% are from the UK while 90% are international students coming in from 60-70 different countries. Students can complete the course requirements and exit at 15, 18 or 21 months.
Let’s look at the employment statistics. 366 companies recruited MBA grads with 45% getting placed in the consulting sector, 26% got into finance while 21% got into technology.
MBB were the biggest recruiters with McKinsey & Co., BCG, Bain & Co. hiring 64, 37 and 35 respectively.
50% of the students switched location, 55% switched sector, 30% switched sector and location.
Compensation by industry
| Industry | Mean salary | Other compensation |
|---|---|---|
| All industries (overall) | £99,333 | £50,514 |
| Consulting | £104,427 | £46,235 |
| Finance | £100,268 | £66,898 |
| Technology | £90,240 | £29,581 |
4. IESE Business School
This reputed school in Barcelona, Spain has retained its top position by securing the 5th place in the 2024 FT global MBA rankings and 2nd in the Bloomberg European B-school ranking 2024-25.
The 15 or 19-month MBA program sees a class of around 350 comprising 85% international students from more than 50 countries with an average of 5.4 years work experience.
The MBA class made the following career changes: 45% changed geography, 63% switched sector, 64% had a change of function while 30% managed the triple jump.
47% of the students got into the consulting sector, 24% into finance while 9% got into tech.
In spite of challenging times, a very high number of MBA graduates (94%) found a job within 3 months of graduation; the same year saw other top business schools badly hit by the economic downturn resulting in a record dip in the number of students getting placed.
Compensation by industry
| Industry | Average annual base salary | Average other compensation |
|---|---|---|
| All industries (overall) | €99,500 | €63,900 |
| Consulting | €108,100 | €76,500 |
| Finance | €92,200 | €53,600 |
| Technology | €97,900 | €42,300 |
5. ESADE
The MBA program is offered on the Barcelona campus in Spain with a customized curriculum which can be completed in 12, 15, or 18 months depending on whether you’d wish to opt for exchange and internship.
Out of 162 students in the class, 96% are international and come from 50+ countries across the globe with an average of 6 years of work experience.
91% of the MBA class found employment within three months of graduation.
The MBA program ranked 17th in the FT global MBA rankings 2024. MBA grads had an average of 151% salary increase over three years – recognised by FT for the best salary increase among European programs.
6. Cambridge – Judge
The 1-year MBA gives you a chance to earn a degree from one of the oldest (more than 800 years old) and prestigious universities in the world.
Cambridge has become Europe’s innovation and tech hub with the Silicon Fen or the Cambridge Cluster having around 5,000 firms generating an annual turnover of more than £18bn.
Its proximity to London allows you to explore the various job opportunities the capital city has to offer, while also being able to enjoy the charm of this small picturesque student city.
The MBA class has a diverse international mix of 245 students representing 50 nationalities with 6 years average work and from varied industry backgrounds.
27% of the MBA class found jobs in consulting, 24% in finance and 13% in technology. 87% of the MBA class switched sectors, 75% switched job functions, 61% switched countries.
97% of MBA grads switched either country, function or industry and 43% achieved the post-MBA triple jump.
The average post-MBA base salary was £73,985, while the average package was £91,083.
7. HEC Paris
This 16-month MBA is offered on the sprawling 340-acre campus, 10 miles outside of Paris in the town of Jouy-en-Josasby. Currently at 12th position in the FT global MBA rankings 2024, HEC Paris continues to figure among the top 20 global B schools over the years.
The MBA program has 2 intakes – in January and September. With 300 students from 60+ countries worldwide (95% international) and faculty coming in from 25 different nationalities, you can expect a truly enriching multicultural experience. The average work experience of the class is 6 years.
Due to its slightly longer duration than most other UK and Europe-based programs, students get a better chance to take up 1-2 internships, which can be useful in facilitating career transitions. Each year, there are around 1000 alumni-organized events.
Let’s take a look at the employment statistics for the MBA class. 37% of the class found jobs in consulting, 20% in technology, 17% in financial services.
67% switched sectors, 64% changed function, 61% changed location, 69% changed two of the three, while 34% changed all three. 68% found jobs outside their home countries.
Compensation by industry
| Industry | Mean salary | Mean sign-on bonus |
|---|---|---|
| All industries (overall) | $123,911 | $24,321 |
| Consulting | $133,597 | $24,803 |
| Finance | $141,398 | $30,262 |
| Technology | $116,468 | $23,847 |
Also read: Salary increase after MBA: Here’s how much you can get across industries
8 Oxford – Said
Oxford is another historic university, the second oldest in the world (more than 900 years old) that offers a one-year intense MBA in this small, culturally diverse student city located close to London. The MBA program has a strong focus on impact-driven careers.
The MBA program begins in September with the most recent class having 348 students from 59 nationalities with 6 years average experience.
The MBA class saw 88% switch sector, location or function. 10% began a new venture. 127 companies hired MBA grads across 51 cities.
Here’s the post-MBA industry wise distribution: 32.3% got jobs in finance, 27.2% into consulting, while 11.4% got into technology.
Compensation by industry
| Industry | Average salary |
|---|---|
| All industries (overall) | £91,198 |
| Consulting | £94,520 |
| Financial services | £88,749 |
| Technology | £89,973 |
9 IE Business School
The IE program with its campus in the heart of Spain’s capital – Madrid is another good option to consider. The program’s objective is ‘helping students define, refine and align their purpose with their career’.
The international MBA has 2 intakes – September and January. As the name suggests, the program has 92% international students from 48+ nationalities with an average of 6 years of work experience.
Based on career goals and the time needed to explore new career options, students can choose to complete the MBA program in 11 or 15 months or 19 months (for those opting for dual degree).
The school has published alumni data from 2020-2022 intake. 27% got into consulting, 20% into financial services, 17% into consumer, luxury & retail, 15% into consulting. 8% started their own business.
65% changed geography after the program, 54% changed sectors while 60% changed functions.
Compensation by industry
| Industry | Average compensation (PPP adjusted) |
|---|---|
| All industries (overall) | $113,770 |
| Consulting | $126,357 |
| Financial services | $125,111 |
| Technology | $108.514 |
| Consumer, Luxury & Retail | $119,341 |
10. International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
IMD was leading at no. 1 position in the European B-school rankings (2024-25) by Bloomberg. It was also ranked no. 1 by Forbes in the Best International MBA – one year programs category.
Situated along the shores of Lake Geneva, in the scenic city of Lausanne, Switzerland, students commence their one-year journey in January with an intimate class size of 100-120 from 40+ nationalities and 6 years average experience.
The small class size and 2:1 student-faculty ratio enables the faculty to offer personalized attention and get to know each participant individually.
With its focus on leadership development while incorporating the latest AI technology into its curriculum, the program aims at preparing its students to make a positive impact.
The weighted salary of the MBA class was $172,000. The class saw a 71% average salary increase.
Connect with us if you need professional guidance from experienced admission consultants from MBA Crystal Ball to get into these business schools: info@mbacrystalball.com
Also read:
– Highest salary increase after MBA: And the winner is…not Harvard, Stanford or Wharton
– Top countries for highest MBA salaries: Guess which industry & company ranks at the top
– Why are Consulting salaries so high?
– Highest MBA salaries at the top US business schools
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