The Best MBA Programs in France (2025)
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Looking for the best full-time MBA programs in France? Here’s your ultimate guide! Read on to compare the country’s best MBA programs head-to-head and get the inside scoop from Admissions Directors and alumni of France’s best MBA programs.
last updated March 2025
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Why France for Your MBA?
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Snapshot of Top MBA Programs in France
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Top Full-time MBA Programs in France
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Honorable Mentions
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In-Depth Podcast Interviews with MBA Admissions Directors from France’s Top Business Schools
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MBA Students & Alumni Share What’s It Really Like at Top French MBA Programs
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Post-MBA Career Opportunities in France – Visas, Industries, and More
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INSEAD MBA vs. HEC PARIS MBA vs. ESCP MBA vs. EDHEC MBA vs. EMLYON MBA vs. ESSEC MBA – In-Depth Head-to-Head Comparison
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Get Help Finding Your Best-Fit MBA Program in France
Why France for Your Full-time MBA?
3 Reasons to Get Your MBA in France
1. France is more than just the globe’s top tourist destination – the country boasts the seventh largest economy in the world and is home to diverse industries, including niché ones such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals and luxury goods. The country’s capital and largest city, Paris, is a top 5 financial center in Europe, and France has the third largest concentration of Fortune Global 500 companies in the world.
2. French MBA programs maintain strong footings in international rankings, yet also tend to be more affordable compared to their American and British counterparts. Many programs also offer generous scholarships and discounts. If you’re hoping for financial assistance, apply early and do your research on school-specific opportunities.
3. French MBA programs consistently rank high for the international mobility of their graduates; six of the programs mentioned below rank top 25 in the world for international mobility. With their campuses in multiple countries, emphasis on international business culture, and high percentage of international students, this is no surprise.
Snapshot of Top MBA Programs in France
| MBA Program (Location) | Length | Class Size | Tuition | Starting Salary | Salary after 3 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INSEAD MBA (Fountainbleu) | 10 months | 1,000 | €103,500 - €107,600 | $117,242 | $209,992 |
| HEC PARIS MBA (Paris) | 12 or 16 months | 250-300 | €99,000 - €102,000 | $109,847 | $191,828 |
| ESCP MBA (Paris) | 10 months | 80-90 | €60,500 | not available | $151,045 |
| ESSEC MBA (Cergy) | 12 months | 50-60 | €50,000 | $111,623 | $127,104 |
| EDHEC MBA (Nice) | 10 months | 50-60 | €52,500 | $104,373 | $124,597 |
| EMLYON MBA (Lyon) | 11 or 16 months | 40-50 | €43,500 | not available | $138,442 |
Top Full-Time MBA Programs in France
Insead, HEC Paris, ESCP, EDHEC, EMLYON and ESSEC are the top-ranked MBA programs in France, consistently placing in the top 60 in the Financial Times Global MBA ranking. Grenoble Ecole de Management and Audencia also placed 89th and 90th this year, giving France 8 programs in the Financial Times top 100 programs in 2025.
Even our honorable mention programs – Grenoble Ecole de Management, Audencia and IESEG – are triple accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA, putting them in the top 1% of business schools.
Click on school name to get a full writeup and in-depth podcast interview exploring what makes each program unique.
INSEAD MBA (INSEAD)
- INSEAD regularly sits at the top of global MBA rankings. It was ranked #4 globally by Financial Times in 2025 and #5 in Europe by Bloomberg Businessweek in 2024-25.
- INSEAD dubs itself ‘the Business School for the World,’ with two main campuses in Fontainebleau, France and Singapore, and two satellite campuses in Abu Dhabi and San Francisco. On average, 70% of students transfer among campuses during their MBA studies. INSEAD also has exchange partnerships with Wharton (U.S.), Kellogg (U.S.), and CEIBS (China).
- The MBA program offers two intakes – one in January and one in September. Both offer 10 months of in-class instruction, though the January intake gives students a two-month break during the summer for internships.
- INSEAD regularly sends more than 40% of its graduates into consulting and is known as a top feeder school for the world’s leading management consulting firms.
- INSEAD sent ~1,000 MBA graduates last year to work in 54 countries, affirming INSEAD’s claim as the most global of all business schools.
HEC Paris MBA (HEC Paris)
- HEC Paris was founded in 1881 as a standalone business school and is arguably the most prestigious French business school on this list. The Financial Times ranked it #9 worldwide in 2025.
- The school prides itself on its high-profile alumni network – it is the top business school in Europe for educating CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Notable alumni include a former French President, Chairman of L’Oreal, and CEO of Kering.
- The HEC Paris MBA is an ideal option for students looking to tailor their experiences with either a 12 or 16-month length, January or September start, 7 specializations (Entrepreneurship, Finance, Advanced Management, Strategic Marketing, Strategy, Data & AI for Business Transformation, Sustainable and Disruptive Innovation), and exchanges with 40 partner universities.
ESCP Business School MBA in International Management (ESCP)
- ESCP was ranked #3 worldwide for Return on Investment – the highest of all French MBA programs. Its tuition is nearly half that of Insead and HEC Paris.
- ESCP remains the only pan-European school, with six campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw. Students experience up to 3 European campuses, depending on their plan of study.
- Students can specialize in Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Luxury and Fintech & Innovation.
- ESCP is the oldest French business school, founded in 1819. Its Master in Management programs and EMBA program are also well-regarded and top-ranked in Europe.
EDHEC Business School Global MBA (EDHEC)
- EDHEC was ranked #3 worldwide for sustainability by the Financial Times in 2025. It includes topics of sustainability in every course, and its curriculum includes a 5-month sustainability challenge.
- Located in Nice, a picturesque coastal town on the French Riviera, and 20km from Sophia Antipolis, Europe’s largest technology park with over 2,500 companies, EDHEC students can live the Mediterranean lifestyle while still being close to a major innovation hub.
- EDHEC offers 2 global business trips and 4 specialization tracks: International Finance, Global Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation.
- EDHEC customizable 10-month program has high ROI (ranked 18th worldwide by the Financial Times); on average, it takes EDHEC Global MBA graduates 20 months to fully pay back the program.
EMLYON Business School International MBA (EMLYON)
- Founded in 1872, EMLYON is ranked #2 for international mobility and #9 for ROI worldwide by the Financial Times, and offers a 11-month and 16-month options for its International MBA program. The 16-month option gives students additional time for exchange, additional certifications and language consolidation.
- EMLYON is located in Lyon, France, a mid-sized city located in the heart of the French Alps. It’s about 4.5 hours southeast of Paris and only 2 hours southwest of Geneva, Switzerland.
- EMLYON’s teaching style emphasizes experience, experimentation and an entrepreneurial ethos. All MBAs must complete a 6-month entrepreneurial consultancy project aligned with their career objectives.
- 94.7% of the Class of 2023 accepted jobs within 3 months of graduation.
ESSEC Business School Global MBA (ESSEC)
- Though ESSEC Business School is over 100 years old, its MBA program only began in 2011. Nevertheless, the MBA program has steadily climbed the rankings and was recently ranked 47th in the world by the Financial Times in 2025.
- ESSEC MBA students can study at its flagship campus in Paris (La Defense) or its Singapore campus, which opened in 2015. More than 500 companies and 180,000 people work in the La Defense district of Paris, one of the world’s largest business districts.
- ESSEC’s personalized curriculum focuses on sustainability, digital leadership, and innovation & entrepreneurship, along with “career learning labs” in luxury, finance, consulting, or product management.
Honorable Mentions
- Grenoble Ecole de Management Global MBA (GEM) – Both GEM and the city it calls home – Grenoble – are known for their strengths in technology and innovation. This is partially due to the significant resources the French government has poured into Grenoble since the 1960s to build up its research centers and resources for startups. GEM was the first French business school to include geopolitics as a core part of its programs. Tuition for GEM’s MBA (€36,000) is particularly inexpensive when compared to others around the world.
- Audencia International MBA (Audencia) – Ranked a top 30 MBA program in Europe by QS, this 12-month, boutique International MBA offers students the option to concentrate in Corporate Finance, Entrepreneurship & Transformation, Strategic CSR or Innovation & New Product Development. Class size is typically 35 students. This triple accredited business school has the lowest tuition (€31,500) of the top-ranked French MBA programs.
- IESEG Global MBA (IESEG) – the triple accredited business school offers a 12-month MBA oriented around change and transformation offers a strategic partnership with Euratechnologies, Europe’s largest startup incubator and Le Wagon, a renowned tech school. Although 93% of the class comes from outside Europe (most notably 57% from Asia), 75% of the class starts their post-MBA career in Europe.
In-Depth Podcast Interviews with French MBA Admissions Directors
Listen to our in-depth interviews about what makes each MBA program unique and what you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting in:
Alumni & Students Share What’s It Really Like at Top French MBA Programs
MBA students and alumni share their experience on the Touch MBA Podcast:
Post-MBA Career Opportunities in France – Visas, Taxes, Industries and More
- Student Visa – If you are an EU citizen or from the European Economic Area, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland, or Norway, you don’t need a visa to study in France. Otherwise, if your program is longer than six months, you’ll need a long-stay visa, equivalent to a residence permit.
- Work Visa – Upon completion of your MBA, France has a range of visa options that sometimes require employer sponsorship. Non-European Students can apply for an APS temporary resident permit valid for 12 months as they look for jobs in France. The government launched the French Tech Visa in January 2017, making the country even more attractive to foreign entrepreneurs and investors.
- Taxes – Income tax rates are progressive from 0 to 45 percent for the country’s highest earners. Expats benefit from a partial tax exemption on their salaries that can reach 30% for up to 8 years.
- Geography – Situated at the heart of Western Europe, France is ideally located for those looking to travel throughout the region. Each day, Paris hosts ~280 direct flights to 114 countries, and high-speed trains to Brussels, Munich, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and London.
- Language – Many top MBA programs strongly encourage students to learn French during their studies and offer language instruction as well. Unlike some neighboring countries, learning the native language can be critical to get by.
- Industry – Accounting for 16% of the European Union’s GDP, France is Europe’s third largest economy. While services dominate the French economy (~70%), industry remains crucial, representing nearly 20% of GDP. Top industries include aerospace, automotive, luxury goods, food & beverage and chemicals/pharmaceuticals. France is also the EU’s top agricultural power, accounting for almost one-fourth of the EU’s total agricultural production.
- Return on Investment – French MBA programs offer tremendous value for money. In 2025, Financial Times ranked French MBA programs as follows for value for money: ESCP, #3; EMLYON, #9; EDHEC, #18; ESSEC, #24; INSEAD, #30; HEC PARIS, #50.
What’s Next?
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Head to Head
Want a comprehensive picture of France’s leading MBA programs? Read below for a head-to-head comparison of schools with detailed info on admissions, curriculum, job placements and more.
INSEAD MBA VS. HEC PARIS MBA VS. ESCP MBA
EDHEC MBA VS. EMLYON MBA VS. ESSEC MBA
Comparison table best viewed on bigger screen. Last updated March 2025
INSEAD MBA vs. HEC PARIS MBA vs. ESCP MBA
| INSEAD MBA | HEC PARIS MBA | ESCP MBA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degrees Offered | MBA | MBA Double Degree Programs with 9 Schools around the World, | MBA in International Management |
| Class Size | 1,000 | 250-300 | 80-90 |
| GMAT (avg) | not available, likely ~710 range | 690 GMAT 630 GMAT Focus | not available |
| Age (avg) | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Work Exp (avg) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| No. Nationalities | 110 | 50 | 22 |
| Start Date | January, September | January, September | September |
| Length | 10 months | 12 or 16 months | 10 months |
| RANKINGS | |||
| Financial Times 2025 (2024, 2023) | 4 (2, 2) | 9 (12, 17) | 28 (25, 27) |
| QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 | #6 in Europe | #2 in Europe | #13 in Europe |
| Notable Rankings | Consistently ranked a top 5 MBA worldwide by Financial Times | HEC Paris cracked the Financial Times Top 10 ranking for the first time in 2025 | #3 value for money worldwide by Financial Times in 2025 #1 EMBA in Europe by Financial Times 2024 |
| ADMISSIONS | |||
| Requirements | Bachelor's degree 2+ years of work experience GMAT Focus Score - candidates encouraged to target minimum 60 percentile for verbal (80) and 66 percentile fro quant (80) and data insights (77) GMAT/GRE score - candidates encouraged to target minimum 70 percentile for Quant and Verbal sections, 6 for Integrated Reasoning Section English language fluency; intermediate level of second language. | Bachelor's degree (waived under specific circumstances) 2-10 years of work experience GMAT takers strongly encouraged to score above 60% for the quantitative and verbal sections. On GMAT Focus, this equates to a performance in the 83% under each format GMAT takers strongly encouraged to score above 60% for the quantitative and verbal sections. On GMAT Focus, this equates to a performance in the 83% under each format EA takers encouraged to submit an EA score upwards of 150 English language fluency | Bachelor's degree or equivalent 3+ years of work experience GMAT/GRE score English language fluency |
| Deadlines | January 2026 intake: - 4 deadlines from March to August September 2025 intake: - 4 deadlines from September to March | September 2025 intake: - 7 deadlines from January to July January 2026 intake: - 10 deadlines from January to November | 12 deadlines from October to June |
| Application Fee | €250 | €200 | €180 |
| Tuition | €103,500 - €107,600 | €99,000 - €102,000 | €57,900 - €60,500 |
| Est Living Costs (taken from school websites) | €30,000 - €32,000 | €24,825 | €20,000 - €28,750 |
| Application Materials | Online application TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, or Cambridge score GMAT/GRE score 4 essays 2 references 4 video interview questions | Online application TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, Cambridge or PTE score GMAT/GRE score 5 essay questions 2 recommendations Resume/CV Copy of passport or birth certificate Official undergraduate degree transcript (waived under specific circumstances) Photo 2 interviews with HEC Paris alumni | Online application IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, or TOEIC score GMAT/GRE/Test Mage score 2 essays 1 letter of recommendation CV/Resume Bachelor's degree/diploma & transcript Copy of ID or passport |
| International Opportunities | Can study at INSEAD France or Singapore campuses. Exchanges with Wharton (U.S.), Kellogg (U.S.), and CEIBS (China) | International exchanges with more than 40 partner universities worldwide. Double degree programs with universities in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. | Students have option to study on 6 campuses in Europe (Paris & Berlin, London, Madrid, Turin, Warsaw) |
| Scholarships | 36% of class receives awards averaging €21,100 | More than €1,000,000 available annually to MBA candidates. Scholarships are granted up to 50% of tuition. 60% of class receives awards averaging €15,000 | Maximum funding limit is €15,000 Applicants are automatically considered for grants that can reduce tuition fees. Admitted applicants can also apply for 3 available scholarships: Women in Leadership, NGO/Non-Profit and Entrepreneurial |
| Location | Fontainebleau, France The city is home to the “Fontainebleau forest,” which is a French national park great for hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. Singapore | Jouy-en-Josas, France HEC Paris is located on a sprawling, historic campus that neighbors the Palace of Versailles, one hour from Paris’s city center. | Paris & Berlin, London, Madrid, Turin, Warsaw, Online Core courses taught in Paris and Berlin or London; Elective courses taught in Madrid and Turin |
| PROGRAM | |||
| Core Curriculum | 14 required courses: Financial Accounting Financial Markets & Valuation Organisational Behaviour I Prices & Markets Uncertainty, Data & Judgement Introduction to Strategy Corporate Financial Policy Managing Customer Value Organisational Behaviour II Managerial Accounting Process & Operations Management Leadership Communication Foundations Macroeconomics in the Global Economy Business in Society Students must be fluent in English and have a “practical knowledge” of a second language upon admission; upon graduation, candidates must have a “basic knowledge” of a third. | 13 core courses: Term 1: NegoSim Business Simulation Problem Solving & Communications FInancial Accounting & Reporting BACH Business Game Financial Markets & Investments Managerial Economics Leadership Communication Managing Customer Value through Marketing Statistics & Business Analytics Term 2: Corporate Finance Ethics & Sustainability Management Accounting & Control Leadership: Influence & Decision Making Operations Management Organizational Behavior Strategic Management The CARS Challenge French language courses are mandatory for students not fluent for two terms; French-English bilingual students must study a third language for two terms. | 9 core modules: Finance Strategy & Organization Sustainability & Entrepreneurship Data & Business Economics Financial and Managerial Economics Leadership & Team Building Marketing Operations Management Optional Languages (French, German, Spanish) |
| Electives | 11 elective courses required, 75+ options | 70+ specialization and elective courses offered | Explore electives in 4 concentrations below, along with a company consulting project |
| Concentrations | none | Entrepreneurship Finance Advanced Management Strategic Marketing Strategy Data & AI for Business Transformation Sustainable & Disruptive Innovation | Consulting Entrepreneurship Luxury Fintech & Innovation |
| CAREERS | Class of 2024 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2024 |
| Placement w/in 3 months | 80% | 83% | not available |
| Average Salary (Sign-On Bonus) | €108,400 (€27,600) | $109,487 ($25,301) | not available |
| Salary Increase (Financial Times) | 117% | 136% | 90% |
| Top Geographies | 40% Europe 24% Asia Pacific 23% Africa/Middle East 5% North America 9% Latin America | 29% Western Europe (excluding France) 26% France 16% Asia (including Australia) 11% Africa & Middle East 8% North America | not available |
| Top Industries | 55% Management Consulting 21% Corporate Sectors 13% Financial Services, 11% Technology, Media & Telecommunications | 25% Consulting 22% Financial Services 16% Technology 10% Manufacturing 5% Healthcare 4% Energy & Utilities 4% Gov't & NGO 3% Consumer Packaged Goods | not available |
| Top Functions | not available | 31% Consulting 21% Financial Services 13% Marketing & Sales 12% General Management 5% Operations & Logistics 3% Information Technology | not available |
| Alumni | 60,000+ alumni in 175+ countries | 56,000 alumni in 132 countries | 85,000 alumni worldwide in 200 countries |
EDHEC MBA vs. EMLYON MBA vs. ESSEC MBA
| EDHEC MBA | EMLYON MBA | ESSEC MBA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degrees Offered | Global MBA | International MBA | Global MBA |
| Class Size | 60 | 40 | 110 |
| GMAT (avg) | not available | 640 | ??? |
| Age (avg) | 33 | 31 | 30 |
| Work Exp (avg) | 8 | 7.5 | 6 |
| No. Nationalities | 25 | 20 | 20 |
| Start Date | September | September | September |
| Length | 10 months | 11 or 16 months | 12 months |
| RANKINGS | |||
| Financial Times 2025 (2024, 2023) | 64 (57, 47) | 44 (57, 76) | 47 (54, 70) |
| QS Global Rankings 2025 | 17th in Europe | 20th in Europe | not ranked |
| Notable Rankings | #3 ESG & Net Zero Teaching worldwide by Financial Times in 2025 | #9 Value for Money worldwide by Financial Times in 2025 | #7 for International Mobility worldwide by Financial Times in 2025 |
| ADMISSIONS | |||
| Requirements | Bachelor's degree or equivalent 3+ years of work experience GMAT Focus, GRE, EA or Test Mage score English language fluency | Bachelor's degree 3+ years of work experience GMAT, GRE or TAGE MAGE English language fluency; fluent in 2+ languages | Bachelor's degree 3 years of work experience GMAT Focus/GRE/EA/TageMage score English language fluency |
| Deadlines | End of May for International students End of June for EU or EEA nationals | Monthly deadlines from October to July | 7 deadlines from August to July |
| Application Fee | €150 | €120 | €130 |
| Tuition | €52,500 | €43,500 | €50,000 |
| Est Living Costs (taken from school websites) | N/A | €10,000 - €12,000 | €21,500 |
| Application Materials | Online application GMAT/GRE/EA/Test Mage score 2 letters of recommendation CV/Resume Bachelor's degree/diploma; transcript from last two years of bachelor's degree Copy of ID or passport | Online application TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, Cambridge or PTE score GMAT/GRE score 2 essays 2 references Digital Test/Video interview | Online application TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL score GMAT/GRE score 1 scholarship essay 2 professional references 1 resume/CV Copy of passport or ID Official transcripts from past degrees/studies Copy of baccalauréat (French candidates only) ID photo |
| International Opportunities | Includes 2 global business trips | International exchanges of 1-4 months, with 15 partner universities in Latin America, Asia, and Europe. | Students can study in Cergy-Pontoise, France or Singapore International field trip |
| Scholarships | 5 types of scholarships available that discount tuition 15-40% Excellence Scholarship (if your GMAT Focus is above 635) Make an Impact Scholarship Women in Leadership Cultural Diversity Scholarship Alumni Scholarship | Awards scholarships for strong GMAT Focus scores: 30% off tuition Integrity/Diversity - acting in an ethical & responsible manner while welcoming change: 20% off tuition Responsibility/Solidarity - conscience of societal actions and their impacts: 20% off tuition Guaranteed 20% scholarship for candidates who enroll in January for next cycle | 12 types of scholarships available |
| Location | Nice, France Though Nice may seem like a quiet, coastal town in the South of France, it boasts a population of more than 1 million and is France’s fifth largest city. | Lyon, France After 50 years in Écully, EMLYON just opened a new 30,000m campus and eco-building in Lyon, near the metro station. | Paris (La Defense), France and Singapore More than 500 companies and 180,000 people work in the La Defense district of Paris, one of the world’s largest business districts. |
| PROGRAM | |||
| Core Curriculum | Core subject areas include: Strategy Innovation & Management Finance Analytics & Risk Personal & Organisational Leadership | Core courses include: Thinking Differently Mastering Business Fundamentals Driving Business Performance Developing Yourself & Others Integrating Perspectives Reaching Beyond Business Strategy Simulation Design Thinking Project Strategy Project New Venture Project Business 360 Integration Project | 12 Core courses include: Leading People & Organizations Negotiations Influence & Presentation Skills Marketing Management Strategic Management Operations Management & Data Science Power BI Tableau Financial Accounting Financial Management Economics for Business Managerial Accounting Macroeconomics Managerial Accounting Managerial communication E-commerce Financial Management Operations Management Entrepreneurship Strategic management |
| Electives | After completing core courses, students complete from 3-5 electives and a concentration track Students also complete a 2-month tailored MBA project | Select from 20+ elective courses focused on 9 concentrations below | Choose 6 electives across sustainability, digital leadership, and innovation & entrepreneurship |
| Concentrations | International Finance Global Leadership Entrepreneurship Digital Innovation | Business Development Consulting Finance Marketing Sales Supply Chain Project Management Entrepreneurship | Career Learning Labs: Luxury Finance Consulting Product Management |
| CAREERS | Class of 2024 | Class of 2023 | Unspecified Class |
| Placement w/in 3 months | 92% | 95% | 91%* *w/in 6 months |
| Average Salary (Sign-On Bonus) | $104,373 (website) $124,597 (Financial Times) | $138,442 (Financial Times) | $111,623 $127,104 (Financial Times) |
| Salary Increase (Financial Times) | 74% | 105% | 104% |
| Top Geographies | not available | 84% Europe 12% Asia 4% Middle East & Africa | 59% Europe 26% Asia 8% Middle East & Africa 7% North & Latin America |
| Top Industries | not available | 28% Industry & Construction 24% Consulting 16% Technology, Information, Communication 4% Finance, Banking 4% Retail, Wholesale | not available |
| Top Functions | not available | not available | not available |
| Alumni | 40,000 alumni worldwide in 125 countries | 37,500+ alumni in 130 countries | 71,000 alumni worldwide in 85 countries |
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