EDHEC vs ESSEC vs HEC MiM — which one has better brand value, ROI, and career outcomes?

Question

T Mehta · Accepted Answer

When it comes to brand value, ROI, and career outcomes, HEC Paris leads the pack, followed by ESSEC, then EDHEC ,  but each has its own edge depending on what you're looking for.
HEC Paris MiM has the strongest international brand, especially for MBB consulting, investment banking, and top-tier corporate roles across Europe and beyond. It ranks #1 globally for MiM and sees average salaries around &euro;65,000&ndash;70,000 post-graduation, with many grads landing in London or Dubai.
ESSEC offers great ROI if you're targeting finance or luxury management, and its multi-campus model gives access to Asia through the Singapore campus. Its grads land solid roles in France, with average salaries in the &euro;55,000&ndash;60,000 range.
EDHEC is strong for finance, particularly in asset management and risk. While the average salary is lower (~&euro;50,000), the tuition is also significantly less, so ROI stays competitive &mdash; especially if you&rsquo;re self-funding and targeting roles in France or Luxembourg

Isha B · Answer

If the goal is cracking top jobs in Europe, all three schools can help,  but they don&rsquo;t open the same doors, and the difference shows once you look at outcomes closely.

HEC has the strongest alumni pull at MBB, top PE/VC firms, and global banks. It&rsquo;s often a target school for London placements.
ESSEC stands out in France and Asia. Its brand is solid in luxury, audit, and French corporates, but less visible in London unless backed by strong experience.
EDHEC shines in finance-specific roles &mdash; particularly AM, audit, and risk jobs in Paris or Luxembourg. Recruiters like Amundi, BlackRock, and EY regularly hire from there.
ROI-wise, EDHEC can outperform if you&rsquo;re cost-sensitive. Tuition is lower (~&euro;26K vs HEC&rsquo;s ~&euro;40K), and placements in mid-tier roles are realistic.
HEC gives the best long-term return, but you&rsquo;ll compete with elite global candidates, and admission is highly selective.

The choice depends on budget, career goals, and how much global exposure you&rsquo;re aiming for.

Jayant M · Answer

Among HEC, ESSEC, and EDHEC, HEC Paris clearly has the strongest brand value, highest ROI, and best career outcomes&mdash;especially if you're targeting MBB consulting or top finance roles across Europe.
HEC MiM grads report average salaries of &euro;65,000&ndash;70,000, with top placements at McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon. The alumni network is global, and the school is ranked #1 or #2 in most MiM rankings every year. The program offers a large range of specializations, dual degrees, and access to top recruiters across Paris, London, and even Asia.
ESSEC is next in line. It&rsquo;s very strong in consulting and luxury management. Average salary is around &euro;55,000&ndash;60,000, and placement is excellent in France and parts of Europe. It also has a more flexible, modular curriculum than HEC.
EDHEC is best for finance, especially risk and asset management, but the brand is regional. Average salary is around &euro;48,000&ndash;52,000, and placements are solid but less global.

Preet J · Answer

All three schools are good&mdash;but the gap widens fast when you look at reputation outside France.
&bull; HEC is tier-1 globally. Its MiM is a target for MBB and top finance roles across Europe and the Middle East. If the goal is high-paying strategy roles or a shot at private equity/IB in London, HEC gives you the best chance. &bull; ESSEC is more flexible&mdash;you can do multiple internships, customize your pace, and access campuses in France, Singapore, and Morocco. It&rsquo;s especially strong in luxury, consulting, and strategy. &bull; EDHEC is underrated but niche. If you're targeting finance roles like risk, credit, or asset management, it&rsquo;s very focused and respected in that domain&mdash;especially in Paris and Geneva. &bull; ROI-wise: HEC is the most expensive (~&euro;45&ndash;50K total cost) but also the fastest payoff (avg salary &euro;70K). ESSEC and EDHEC cost less (&euro;35&ndash;42K) and pay ~&euro;55K and &euro;50K respectively.
If international reach and network matter most, go HEC. If flexibility and Asia exposure appeal, go ESSEC. For finance-focused roles and lower cost, EDHEC makes sense.

K S Saini · Answer

When it comes to brand value and career outcomes, HEC Paris clearly leads, followed by ESSEC, then EDHEC. HEC has a global reputation that stretches beyond Europe&mdash;it&rsquo;s the school most recognized by consulting firms, investment banks, and Fortune 500 recruiters. ESSEC also holds strong ground, especially in consulting and luxury management, but its global pull is slightly narrower.
In terms of ROI, ESSEC often offers better scholarships and lower tuition than HEC, making it a solid middle ground for value and brand. EDHEC provides excellent finance-focused training and quicker ROI due to lower costs, but it doesn&rsquo;t command the same prestige internationally.
If the goal is to land high-paying roles in consulting or finance across Europe or Asia, HEC&rsquo;s brand premium usually pays off. But for those balancing cost and career growth, ESSEC gives nearly 80% of the value for a smaller investment.