GradROI
ROI Comparison · 2026

SDA Bocconi vs HEC Paris

SDA Bocconi (Milan) and HEC Paris are continental-Europe MBAs with strong EU-domestic placement. Bocconi is 12 months, luxury + fashion-tilted. HEC is 16 months, general-management + luxury/energy-tilted. Both are EU residency-friendly for non-EU applicants.

Head-to-Head: Key Metrics

MetricSDA BocconiHEC Paris
Tuition (per year)$83,000Better$105,000
Median Starting Salary$90,000$110,000Better
10-Year Net ROI (est.)——
Acceptance Rate—28.0%
Duration1 yearBetter1.3 years

Green highlight = better on that metric. Tuition: lower is better. Salary/ROI: higher is better. Acceptance: higher = easier to get in. Duration: shorter = less opportunity cost.

Who Should Choose Which?

Luxury + fashion industry (LVMH, Kering, Ferragamo)

→ SDA Bocconi: SDA Bocconi's alumni network in Italian luxury is unmatched — the literal hometown of Armani, Prada, Versace.

French-market consulting + M&A

→ HEC Paris: HEC Paris is the default French MBA; French language + alumni network open CAC 40 doors.

General EU-mobility MBA

→ HEC Paris: HEC's brand recognition is stronger outside Italy than Bocconi's outside France.

Strengths & Trade-offs

SDA Bocconi

Milan-based 12-month MBA with strongest luxury + fashion + Italian industry alumni; EU residency track.

Strengths

  • Luxury + fashion industry alumni network unmatched globally
  • EU-residency option — appeal to non-EU applicants
  • Milan location = Italian finance + industry hub

Trade-offs

  • Post-MBA salaries lag London/Paris peers
  • English-only students miss Italian industry recruiting
  • Smaller brand outside luxury + Italy
HEC Paris

Jouy-en-Josas 16-month MBA with deepest French + continental Europe alumni and luxury + energy industry tilt.

Strengths

  • Top French MBA — strongest alumni network in continental EU
  • Luxury + energy industry pipelines (LVMH, Total, etc.)
  • Paris proximity — European HQ recruiting

Trade-offs

  • Campus is 17 km from Paris — commute adds friction
  • Post-MBA base lags London peers
  • French language helps but not required

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition comparison?

SDA Bocconi: ~EUR 75,000 (~USD 83k). HEC Paris: ~EUR 94,000 (~USD 105k). HEC is ~25% more expensive.

Starting salary?

Bocconi: ~USD 90k. HEC: ~USD 110k. HEC pays higher, driven by stronger Paris + Brussels recruiting.

Program duration?

Bocconi: 12 months. HEC: 16 months. Bocconi's shorter format is cheaper in opportunity-cost terms.

Which is more selective?

HEC: ~28% acceptance. Bocconi: ~40% (estimates). HEC is more competitive.

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