HEC Paris is a highly regarded business school located in Jouy-en-Josas, France, which is just outside Paris. It is a medium-sized institution that enrolls approximately 4,500 students in various degree programs. The admissions process is very selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 18%. Among its most popular programs are the Grande Ecole Master in Management, the MBA, and a recently introduced Bachelor's degree in Data, Society & Organizations. About 91 to 93% of graduates find employment within three months of graduation, and they typically receive an average salary package of around INR 96 lakh, with the median salary being approximately INR 92 lakh.
INSEAD, known as "The Business School for the World," is a prestigious graduate business school with campuses in Fontainebleau (France), Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco. It is a relatively small school with around 1,540 students enrolled in MBA, Executive MBA, and other master's programs. The admissions process is competitive, with an acceptance rate of about 22 to 25%. The most sought-after programs include the one-year MBA, Master in Management, and Executive programs. Approximately 83% of graduates are employed within three months of completing their studies, and they typically earn an average salary package of nearly INR 95 lakh, with the median salary being roughly INR 93 lakh.
| HEC Paris | INSEAD | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 9 Financial Times 2025 # 334 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 252 Center for World University Rankings 2022 | # 122 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 119 Center for World University Rankings 2022 # 1 Financial Times 2021 |
| Programs | PG Programs -9 Doctorate Programs -3 | PG Programs -6 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8.0 % | 32.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-700 IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-90 | GMAT-680 IELTS-7.5 TOEFL-105 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 36480 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 670 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 137500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16508 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Almost 100% of the students ind employment after graduation. The average salary of Masters in International finance is around $78,000 and is $165,000 after three years on an average. The MBA program students have an average salary of around $128,628 and the joining bonus is around $18,000 on an average. | Annual Mean salary: $113,700; Annual Median salary: $110,100; Average sign on bonus: $26,900 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit recommendation letters Submit entrance exam scores Submit english langugae proficiency scores | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit exam scores Submit resume Submit essays Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 5 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 12 for Business by Financial Times 2024 | # 8 for Business by QS World University 2026 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 135/160GMAT - 690/800IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 72/90TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 72/90TOEFL - 105/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 2, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Dec 16, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Feb 19, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Apr 9, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) May 28, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) | Sep 16, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Nov 4, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Nov 21, 2025 (Round 1 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) Jan 16, 2026 (Round 2 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) Jan 20, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Mar 10, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Mar 20, 2026 (Round 3 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) May 8, 2026 (Round 4 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | HEC Paris | INSEAD |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | School | School |
| Established | 1881 | 1957 |
| Location Facts | HEC is located on a 110-hectare woodland campus in Jouy-en-Josas, 16 km. (10 miles) southwest of central Paris, close to Versailles. | INSEAD Asia Campus is situated at the corner of the Ayer Rajah Avenue and North Buona Vista Road in the Knowledge Hub district of Singapore. The school’s convenient location is 15 minutes from the financial district and 30 minutes from Changi Airport. |
| Library | The HEC library (Learning Center) is packed full of +60 000 books, articles, databases, videos and other learning tools, many of which are fully accessible online. Nevertheless, it stays open 7 days a week from 9am top 6pm, providing a positive study space for single and group work. The library is located in Building U, above the Hall of Honor. It is accessible only for HEC Students, professors and staff members. | The INSEAD Research & learning Hubs’ print and online collections support teaching and research in the fields of business and management. |
| Campus Life | There are around 130 clubs or "associations" on campus. The HEC Student Council (Bureau des Élèves in French, or BDE) is in charge of the social entertainment on campus. It is also in charge of coordinating all club activities and representing the students in front of the campus administration. The BDE organizes weekly events such as POWs ("Parties of the Week"), lunches and dinners, speakers, and sports events. HEC parties, which usually are organised every Thursday, are some of the most recognized ones among all French schools and universities. The BDE is composed of a 40-student team that is elected each year in April and for which the competition among students creates the well-known Student Office Campaign. The HEC MBA Council is in charge of all social activities related to the MBA student body. It manages the MBA students' Piano Bar in the Expansiel Building (Building A), coordinates and sometimes funds all MBA club activities (speaker events, sports events, dinners, etc.), works to expand the HEC MBA brand, develops campus and alumni relations, sets up the new MBA students' integration week, and generally relays student concerns and needs to the administration. Elections for the MBA Council are bi-annual to accommodate both January and September MBA intakes | INSEAD’s student life is diverse and transformational. A cultural melting pot of experiences that triggers students to re-shape their perceived reality beyond the classroom; from sports activities to unforgettable travel experiences, or from cheerful parties to intimate heartfelt dinners. INSEAD Student clubs are run by students and supported by the school. They play a vital role in the student experience. The clubs cover a broad range of topics from Professional, Social to Sports. A large proportion of the student population are honing their leadership skills by being the management team of clubs. There are 40+ clubs at INSEAD. |
| Hostel | #Residence Room - $670 | #On campus - $12980 |
| Famous Alumni | Francisco Madero, President of Mexico Georges Schwob d'Héricourt (class of 1882), President of the SFCO | Meera Sanyal, MBA, Former CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland, India |
| City Life | Located in the heart of the Upper Bièvre Valley and in the southeast of the Versailles Grand Parc agglomeration community, Jouy-en-Josas has the privilege of being close to Paris (15 km) and Versailles (5 km). The city is fortunate to have a town with a remarkable natural, historical and cultural heritage. The Bièvre, a river that rises in Guyancourt and flows into the Seine in Paris, the forests and the rolling hillsides that adorns the city are a rich natural heritage, just like the Upper Bièvre Valley. | For some, relocating to Singapore is a welcome opportunity for luxury. The nation offers amazing cultural opportunities, from incredible dining experiences to world-class golf courses and more. For others, Singapore is primarily an opportunity to climb the career ladder. They might be more interested in cultivating relationships through endless dinners and building their professional knowledge in the process |
HEC Paris vs INSEAD - The Business School for the World
Global & Regional Rankings
In the 2025 Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking, INSEAD is ranked number one, surpassing HEC Paris.
INSEAD’s MBA program is among the top five worldwide, while HEC Paris is ranked ninth globally, still regarded as one of Europe’s top business schools.
Program Structure & International Exposure
INSEAD offers a 10-month accelerated MBA program held across multiple campuses in France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco. The student population is very international, with about 96% of students coming from outside the country where the campus is located. HEC Paris provides a 16 to18 month MBA program that allows students to complete summer internships and choose from more than 20 specializations. The program offers greater opportunities for specialization, enhanced leadership development, and more personalized learning experiences.
Cost, Financial Aid & ROI
Both programs have similar tuition fees, ranging from €99,000 to €107,600. INSEAD’s shorter duration results in lower opportunity costs and a faster return on investment.
In contrast, HEC Paris’s longer program offers additional value through internships, career immersion, and more in-depth specialization options.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Reach
INSEAD graduates secure employment in around 94% of cases within three months after graduation, with a median starting salary of approximately €111,400. The school has over 62,000 alumni in more than 170 countries, forming a robust global network. HEC Paris reports an 83% employment rate, with average starting salaries close to €110,000. Its network of over 68,000 professionals is particularly strong in Europe, especially in the fields of finance, consulting, and luxury industries.
Executive Education & Specializations
INSEAD is the world leader in customized executive education programs, while HEC Paris is a major provider of open-enrollment executive education. HEC Paris has a strong presence in areas like luxury brand management, finance, and sustainability. INSEAD, on the other hand, specializes in entrepreneurship, global strategy, and consulting.
