2021 QS Ranking: ESSEC among the best higher education institutions

On Wednesday, September 23rd, QS published its 2021 international ranking for Business Masters. It honored the Master in Strategy and Management of International Business (Master SMIB), the Master in Data Sciences & Business Analytics, the Master in Finance, and the Global MBA, which are now ranked as some of the best programs in the world. 

• Master in Strategy and Management of International Business tied for 3rd in the world in the Master’s in Management category

• Master in Data Sciences & Business Analytics, a partnership with CentraleSupélec, tied for 3rd in the world for Master’s in Business Analytics and the 1st in Europe 

• Master in Finance ranked 7 (-1) in the world, 5th in Europe

• Global MBA ranked 27th (+3) in the world, 13th in Europe

The ranking is based on various criteria, with different weighting depending on the program. The main criteria are employability, thought leadership, entrepreneurship, the impact and future of alumni, diversity, and the ROI. 

The Master SMIB, in both pre-experience and post-experience, is ranked 3rd of 148 Master’s in Management. The program’s continued 3rd place ranking is proof of its performance, in particular considering the ROI and the future of alumni, which received maximum scores of 100 and 98.9 out of 100 respectively. QS also recognized that 100% of graduates were employed after six months and the program’s academic quality. 

The Master in Data Sciences & Business Analytics, a partnership with CentraleSupélec, also held onto its 3rd place spot out of 97 programs from all over the world, reaching the 1st place in Europe. The program especially stood out when considering the future of alumni, its reputation with French and international employers, and the diversity of the class (20 nationalities and 42 % female students, compared to an average of about 38% for the latter). 

QS ranked ESSEC’s Master in Finance in 7th Place of the Master’s in Finance programs, one spot lower than last year. The ranking nonetheless highlighted the program’s ROI, which permitted students to recoup their tuition and living costs during the program after 14 months. Additionally, we have noted that alumni are found in senior positions in the top 500 companies in the world. 

Last but not least, the Global MBA is ranked in 27th place in the Global MBA category, advancing three places in the 258 programs included in the ranking. The ranking is reflective of the high proportion of female participants, the ability to train entrepreneurs, and a return on investment in 10 years.