The order remains immutable. Once again, HEC, Essec and ESCP remain the three best business schools in France, according to the 2023 rankings produced by The Student, in partnership with L’Express. You have to reach fourth place to note a first (small) since Edhec shares it this year with emlyon, the latter thus regaining a rank it has long occupied.
Audencia enters the Top 10
The rest of the ranking holds more surprises with notable changes, which are partly the result of the new methodology we have adopted.. This year, new criteria have indeed been taken into account such as openness to new student profiles, general satisfaction of graduates or academic criteria, such as French double degrees, where HEC and EM excel in particular. Strasbourg. These partnerships with French universities or engineering schools allow students to complete their profile and improve their employability. Similarly, a bonus point was granted to establishments whose commitment to sustainable development has been validated by obtaining the DD & RS label. Six of them stand out in this labeling process: emlyon, TBS Education, Montpellier BS, Grenoble EM, Kedge and Inseec.
These developments partly underline the dynamic initiated by some in terms of social openness. Nantes-based Audencia thus rose to 9th place and joined the Top 10, as did TBS Education. EM Strasbourg (18th) is also progressing and joins the Top 20 this year. This is also good news for two other establishments which are continuing a positive dynamic: Montpellier BS (11th tied) and La Rochelaise Excelia BS (14th). Progress also for Iéseg, the first post-baccalaureate school in our ranking, which is in 7th position, just ahead of Neoma (8th). On the other hand, these changes in criteria disadvantage Skema (6th), Neoma (8th), Kedge (11th tied) and EMLV (19th), who each give up a rank. Grenoble EM (11th tied) and EM Normandie (20th) see two places escape them. For its part, Rennes SB (17th) fell three positions, victim of the poor mark awarded by its graduates, just like Brest BS (35th).
3732 CT Grandes Ecoles Overall ranking
© / The Express
Social diversity index: EM Strasbourg stands out
The 2023 awards also include a social diversity index, based in particular on the share of work-study students, the percentage of scholarship holders and tuition fees. An indicator that benefits middle-of-the-table establishments such as IMT-BS, ISC, PSB, EDC and ESC Clermont, which welcome a significant proportion of students from modest backgrounds and charge less students. In fact, students’ perception of the quality of inclusion offered to them differs from one institution to another. On this point, IMT-BS, Montpellier BS, EMLV and EM Strasbourg get the best marks.
More than ever, schools want their students to be able to open up to the international world, whether to welcome foreign professors and students, to study on a campus delocalized from their establishment or to benefit from academic exchanges with other countries. Fields where Essec, ESCP, emlyon BS, Skema as well as ISC Paris and EDC stand out.
3732 CT Grandes Ecoles Palmares Post Bac
© / The Express
Employment: Edhec pulls out of the game
Parents can be reassured: graduates always integrate just as quickly into the job market. This does not prevent them from being demanding about the support that their school’s career service can provide them. On this criterion, Edhec is doing well, as well as emlyon BS and EDC.
3732 CT Grandes Ecoles Palmares Post Prepas
© / The Express
Be that as it may, positions taken right out of school remain well paid. The figures, taken from a questionnaire sent to alumni, are certainly to be considered with caution. Nevertheless: the average is still 41,450 euros per year. And, unsurprisingly, HEC prances in the lead with more than 59,000 euros.
Our methodology
This 2023 ranking of major business schools concerns 37 establishments delivering the master’s degree. The latter responded during the summer of 2022 to a questionnaire sent by L’Etudiant, relating to the year 2021-2022. Until the end of November, the data communicated was verified by a dedicated team. At the same time, a survey was sent to 2018 and 2021 graduates from each school to determine their salary, professional integration and level of satisfaction. Academic excellence, internationality and proximity to businesses are among the 15 criteria that also come into play for the final grade.
This year, new criteria are added such as social openness, double graduates with a French establishment and the general satisfaction of graduates. Schools with the DD & RS label get a bonus point.