insead vs kellogg

INSEAD vs Kellogg School of Management

Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

INSEAD, which has headquarters in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi, has consistently ranked among the top 10 business schools globally. INSEAD is ranked 2nd in the world by the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 and 3rd by the Financial Times Global MBA 2025, which highlights its high international orientation. Kellogg, which belongs to Northwestern University in Illinois, USA, also ranks regularly in the top 10 of the world, particularly for marketing, management, and consulting. Kellogg is ranked 6th in QS 2025 and around 7th in the FT Global MBA 2025. Both are premium institutions, but INSEAD enjoys strength through global reach, whereas Kellogg's strength is based on the U.S. and North America.

General Information

INSEAD was established in 1957 and stands out for having an accelerated one-year MBA, drawing a very international student population—more than 90+ different nationalities represented annually. It has campus locations in Fontainebleau (France), Singapore, and Abu Dhabi, positioning it at the forefront of international mobility. Kellogg, established in 1908, provides a more conventional two-year MBA program, just outside of Chicago. It has approximately 1,300 MBA students, whereas INSEAD accommodates approximately 1,000 MBA students annually. INSEAD is the "Business School for the World", whereas Kellogg is known to be a forerunner in team-based leadership and marketing education.

Acceptance Rate & Admission

INSEAD has an acceptance rate of approximately 31%, which is very competitive, with the average accepted students having 710–730 GMAT scores and significant international experience. Kellogg is a bit more selective, accepting approximately 20% with 730+ GMAT scores, GPA of 3.6–3.7, and leadership professional backgrounds. Global experience is important to both schools, but INSEAD places great importance on international exposure and cultural proficiency, whereas Kellogg places importance on leadership, teamwork, and innovation.

Research Impact & Facilities

INSEAD is a research thought leader in strategy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior, backed by research centers such as the Blue Ocean Strategy Institute and the Global Private Equity Initiative. Kellogg is similarly well-known in marketing, operations, management, and analytics, with powerful centers such as the Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative and Global Hub facilities in Evanston. Whereas INSEAD's research emphasis is more global and comparative, Kellogg's research has strong U.S. business and corporate practice roots.

Cost & Financial Aid

INSEAD's one-year MBA is roughly €98,000 (? $106,000), roughly cheaper than U.S. two-year programs. Kellogg's two-year MBA itself is roughly $81,000 per year (? $162,000 total), not including the cost of living. INSEAD's brief program length lowers overall opportunity cost, and Kellogg provides more need-based and merit-based fellowships. Both institutions also have high corporate sponsorship potential for students returning to international firms.

Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes

INSEAD alumni are extremely employable for consulting, finance, and international management, with average salary ranges of $113,000–$120,000 (INR 94–100 lakh) after MBA. Its alumni presence is in more than 170 nations worldwide, indicative of its global character. Kellogg alumni are top performers in consulting, marketing, finance, and technology leadership, with average salaries after MBA being $160,000+ (INR 1.33 crore), which is indicative of U.S. corporate compensation scales. INSEAD graduates tend to take on jobs in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, whereas Kellogg graduates take over in North America, particularly in consulting companies such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, and high-tier corporations such as Google, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs.