Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

Is A Master In Management Worth It?

The MiM is a popular pre-experience business degree for future leaders—but is a Master in Management worth it?

Fri Feb 3 2023

BusinessBecause
If you want to build the skills and connections needed to kick-start a managerial career, studying a Master in Management (MiM) is a popular option. 

This one-to-two year program is aimed at recent graduates, covering the fundamentals of business while helping you connect with future employers and build the basis of a strong professional network. 

But enrolling in a Master in Management can be a significant investment. Top programs like the HEC Paris MiM will set you back around $50k in tuition fees, and you also have to consider that you'll be delaying starting your career whilst studying. 

With such a big investment of time, effort, and money on the line, is a Master in Management worth it?


Master in Management tuition

Typically, you can expect to pay between $30,000 and $50,000 for a highly ranked MiM program.

85% of Master in Management programs are based in Europe—at schools like HEC Paris, the University of St Gallen, and London Business School—but good quality Master in Management programs can be found all over the world. 

The most expensive European MiMs include HEC Paris at $52,300, INSEAD which will set you back $53k, and IESE Business School which costs $47,200. 

However, there are also more affordable programs too. The University of St Gallen Master in Management is ranked first in the Financial Times Master in Management ranking 2022, and offers one of the most affordable MiMs costing $4,600 for domestic students and $10,800 for international students. 

You could also study your Master in Management in the US, at institutions like Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and Michigan Ross School of Business. Although, expect to pay more. 

At Michigan Ross, MiM tuition costs $55,000, while Fuqua's program costs $59,300.

Meanwhile, programs in Asia tend to be more affordable. Tsinghua University's MiM, ranked by the Financial Times as the best program in Asia, costs $13,300 for international students.

Wherever you choose to study, it's important to bear in mind that most schools offer scholarship opportunities that can dramatically reduce your tuition fees. For instance, London Business School offers MiM scholarships for women in business, future leaders, and students who've demonstrated academic merit.


Master in Management salaries

As well as a broad range of career options, Master in Management grads can also expect to earn large salaries and see a strong return on their financial investment. 

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s (GMAC) 2022 Corporate Recruiters’ Survey, the median salary for MiM graduates currently sits at $95,000.

If you graduate from a top-ranked program, this can be much higher. According to Financial Times data, graduates from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore achieve an average weighted salary of $144,178. That's a 36% increase compared to their pre-MiM salaries. 

In Europe, recent alumni from top programs can also command these six-figure salaries. HEC Paris MiM graduates earn an average of $118,999, while London Business School graduates can expect an average of $103,489.



Master in Management jobs

Because it’s a generalist degree, a MiM can act as a gateway to a wide range of career paths. Some of the most popular industries for MiM graduates include finance, tech, and consulting. 

With a MiM, you’ll also be well-positioned to join some of the world’s leading companies. For example, graduates from the University of St Gallen Master’s in Strategy and International Management (SIM)—ranked as the world’s best MiM by the Financial Times in 2022—go on to join employers like Bain and Company, Google, Deloitte, Credit Suisse, and gsk.

Equally, there are ample opportunities for MiM grads outside of Europe. After completing the MiM program at China’s Tsinghua University, 41.9% of students enter consulting roles, and 32.6%  land jobs in media, tech, and telecommunications. 

In the US, consulting and tech are also popular industries. Among grads from Hult International Business School, which has US campuses in San Francisco and New York, 8% go into consulting, 16% into tech, and 19% into financial services. Other popular industries include consumer goods and entrepreneurship. 


MiM success stories

After graduating from IESE Business School, Alejo Artagaveytia has launched a career with Big Three management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG). 

He says it was the connections he built during the MiM that showed him what career paths were open to him.

“I was surrounded by classmates with big goals, which was such an enriching experience. It was a community of everyone pushing one another and this helped me to see my own potential,” Alejo says.  

Because of its broad curriculum, a Master in Management opens the door to a wide range of careers.

That’s exactly what happened for Zenan He who is now working as a project manager at Dior in Paris after studying the MiM at ESCP Business School.

The two-year degree gave Zenan a wealth of international experience and helped developed her business acumen so she was ready to take on this role. 

“I felt like I started to fall in love with what I was learning there, and that’s why I decided to pursue a career in business,” she says. 

Andrea Mannori studied the Master in International Management and Strategy at Vlerick Business School. Whilst studying, he gained global experiences travelling to Germany and the US to work with big companies such as DHL, Microsoft, and PwC. 

He's now launched a global career with fashion company, H&M. 

“There’s always this environment of innovative, stimulating ideas that have interesting results, which is exactly why I wanted to launch a global career after business school,” he says.


9e793c8c584052d82477b672223eec00ef021bc8.png

If you want to build a solid grounding in business that can set you up for long-term success in a variety of industries, a Master in Management is worth the investment. 

Although you’ll have to take a year out of the workforce, you can develop your business acumen, grow a strong international network, receive career advice, and connect with recruiters.

The strong salaries that MiM grads command also mean you’ll be able to recoup your financial investment in a relatively short period—particularly if you make sure to explore the scholarship opportunities open to you before applying. Although the MiM has its roots in Europe, you can also find strong programs around the world.

6e0e5402e704a47aa20730bef5e7ac29c2bdb6b0.png


Student Reviews

Duke University Fuqua School of Business

Student

Verified

31/10/2023

On Campus

Supportive atmosphere

The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.

Maxwell

Verified

30/03/2023

On Campus

Diversity

The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.

Anabelle

Verified

27/02/2023

On Campus

Happy to school

All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.

Monica

Verified

27/02/2023

On Campus

Good schooling

Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.

Aline

Verified

26/11/2022

On Campus

Beautiful School, Nice Classes

DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

Blended

Amazing experience

I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

Blended

whirlwind of growth and change

An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

On Campus

One of the best for Business students

Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.

Student

Verified

16/06/2022

On Campus

The university campus is awesome

I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.

RECAPTHA :

00

4e

a9

06