INSEAD Business School
INSEAD is a top-tier private business school with locations in Fontainebleau (France), Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and a campus in San Francisco. It's a graduate school that delivers MBA, EMBA, MiM, MFin, and PhD degrees. It has an enrollment of approximately 1,000 MBA students and around 1,540 total students across programs. The INSEAD MBA is very competitive with a typical acceptance rate of 20–30%. Popular concentrations or areas of strength are general management, finance, strategy, entrepreneurship, with excellent performance in consulting and leadership. 80–90% of graduating students find jobs in three months, and INSEAD MBA graduates go on to command an average starting salary of approximately €113,400 (approx. Rs. 10,244,000).
Harvard University
Harvard University's graduate business school, Harvard Business School (HBS), is a world-class private school in Allston, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. HBS MBA program admits approximately 1,015 students annually. The program is highly competitive, and the acceptance rate is roughly 11–15%. The most sought-after fields of study are consulting, private equity, technology, general management, and finance. Approximately 86% of graduates are offered a job within three months. Harvard MBA graduates have a median base salary of approximately $175,000 (approx. Rs. 14,480,000), with signing and performance bonuses being regularly offered.
| INSEAD Business School | Harvard University | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 4 Financial Times 2025 # 880 US News 2024 # 799 US News 2023 | # 5 QS World University 2026 # 5 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Programs | PG Programs -5 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -40 PG Programs -53 Doctorate Programs -9 |
| Acceptance Rate | 32.0 % | 3.0 % |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 102960 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 68266 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 71030 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32724 Per Year |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | Harvard Law School Harvard Extension School Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Business School |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | INSEAD Business School | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | College | University |
| Established | 1957 | 1636 |
Comparison of INSEAD Business School and Harvard University
Subject Strength
Both INSEAD and Harvard Business School (HBS) are highly acclaimed for their top-quality MBA programs, especially in consulting, finance, and entrepreneurship. INSEAD excels due to its international outlook and experience in Asian markets, supported by its Singapore campus and multicultural cohort. Harvard specializes in case teaching and has a wider variety of dual-degree options with its law, medical, and government schools. For students seeking U.S.-focused careers, the prestige of Harvard and its case method offer a competitive advantage, and for those focused on international or European markets, INSEAD is best suited.
General Information
INSEAD is a private, not-for-profit business school with a global presence on four campuses, developing a very diverse student population with 71% international MBA candidates. Harvard University, which includes HBS, is a private Ivy League school with a heavy U.S. emphasis, although 35% of its Class of 2026 are international students. INSEAD's alumni network of 57,000 represents 175 countries, whereas Harvard's 90,000+ HBS alumni represent 173 countries, providing unmatched connections within U.S. industries.
Acceptance Rate
INSEAD's MBA acceptance rate is about 31%, far higher than that of Harvard Business School at 13.2%. This places INSEAD comparatively more within reach of international candidates, although both institutions demand high GMAT/GRE scores (INSEAD: ~710 GMAT average; Harvard: 97th percentile GMAT). Harvard's lower acceptance rate is due to its highly competitive and U.S.-biased applicant pool.
Location Facts
INSEAD's multiple campuses in France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco offer a dynamic, multicultural atmosphere, with Fontainebleau featuring an historic European environment and Singapore offering proximity to the dynamic markets of Asia. Harvard's Boston-area campus is advantaged by location near a global center of finance, technology, and learning, with a vibrant student population and access to cultural and professional endeavors in Cambridge and Boston.
Hostel Fees
INSEAD's 10-12 month MBA does not usually feature on-campus accommodation, where students may rent individual apartments (approximately €800-€1,500/month in Fontainebleau or Singapore). Harvard Business School does provide on-campus accommodation, with graduate students paying about $2,000-$3,000/month, although financial aid and scholarship awards (supporting ~50% of HBS students) can help defray costs. Harvard's more extended two-year course makes total living expenses greater compared to INSEAD's shorter program.
Salary Package and Recruitment Process
INSEAD states 94% of MBA graduates finding employment within three months, at a median salary of €113,400 (approx. Rs. 10,244,000) and a €21,900 sign-on bonus, with particular strength in consulting (most sought-after industry) and financial services. Harvard's MBA Class of 2024 placed 85% of graduating job hunters into posts, at a median salary of $175,000 and a $30,000 sign-on bonus, with particular strength in finance (38%) and consulting (18%). Harvard's reputation brings in the best U.S. recruiters, while INSEAD's worldwide contacts attract multinational companies.
Infrastructure
INSEAD has contemporary campuses that are designed specifically for business learning, with leading-edge facilities at Fontainebleau and Singapore that incorporate extensive digital learning materials and global research centers. Harvard Business School's campus boasts emblematic libraries, including the Baker Library, with grand collections and state-of-the-art research facilities. HBS's campus is supported by Harvard University's overall resources, including cross-disciplinary cooperation with other graduate schools.
