Which would be the best choice for an MBA, INSEAD or Harvard?

Everyone whose desire is to pursue a management degree abroad will come to this point in their life where they will have to choose one of the two most prestigious universities in the world – INSEAD or HBS.

The best way to compare any two universities is to look at the following features.

1. Reputation:

INSEAD: Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires is a world-class private university with locations in France (Europe), Singapore (Asia), Abu Dhabi (Middle East), and San Fransico (US). INSEAD’s Global MBA has been ranked no. 1 by the Financial Times in 2021, 2017, and 2016. Several other programs of INSEAD are repeatedly ranking among the top 10 in recent years.

HBS: Harvard Business School is a part of the prestigious Harvard University located in Boston, Massachusetts. It has been ranked the best business school by the QS World University Rankings in 2021. Due to the pandemic, several university data have not been collected or included by the Financial Times. So, Harvard is not listed by the Financial Times this year. In 2020, the Global MBA of Harvard Business School ranked no.1 by the Financial Times.

On considering the reputation of these two universities, HBS undoubtedly is the option to choose. Harvard has consistently stood tall for several years than any other university, and the league tag takes it all.

2. Course Features:

INSEAD: It offers several certificates, masters, executive and doctoral programs both offline and online. They have a short-duration course (10 months) to get quickly into the occupation, which costs around $100,000. Scholarships based on financial needs, background, merit, professions, and gender are available.

HBS: It offers a 2-year full-time MBA program which costs around $150,000. Need-based scholarships for which around half of the students are eligible are available. They also provide several additional fundings, fellowships, and student loans based on financial needs and merit.

While getting into course curriculum, duration and expenses, INSEAD seems to be a better choice than HBS. Both offer almost similar curriculum, so if you are looking for an economical short-term course, INSEAD is the one to choose.

3. Career Opportunities:

INSEAD: A summer internship with a salary is available with the course. More than 300 organizations and industries recruit students every year with an average salary of around $100,000.

HBS: A summer internship with a stipend is available with the course. Over 600 recruiters with supremely based on US industries, organizations, and institutes recruit students every year with an average salary of around $150,000.

With the career support given by both the universities, the best option to choose salary-wise is HBS if you wish to stay in the US for the rest of your life. If not, go with INSEAD, where you get placed somewhere in the rest of the world, and chances are to get placed in the US, as well, by the top US-based recruiters.

4. Exposure:

INSEAD: Its campuses are located in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US attracting students from different cultural backgrounds. Also, alumni are present across the globe, which makes INSEAD a multicultural university with a global network.

HBS: With the campus only in Massachusetts, a large number of the seat are occupied by Americans leaving very few seats for international students. The majority of recruiters are also from America so, most of the alumni are also in the US.

Go with INSEAD if you need a global exposure and multicultural network and HBS if you are job-oriented and looking for lifetime settlement in the US.

Overall, both universities are almost similar other than the brand names and geographic locality. In the end, all that matters is your satisfaction and happiness, which will take you to heights. While you read this content, you might have heard a small voice poping over your mind suggesting you to choose that university. If not, just pause yourself a moment, take a deep breath, and allow your gut instinct to reveal your decision.