One app for all your study abroad needs
If you are planning to pursue your MBA in France, the one question that must wander in your mind is about its return on investment. France has emerged as one of the most popular MBA destinations, with globally ranked business schools and access to the European job market. Studying for an MBA in France involves tuition costs and living expenses that require an equal return on investment within payback periods. In this blog, we will look at the expected MBA ROI in France for international students.
This Blog Includes:
Cost of Pursuing an MBA in France
Understanding the cost of studying for an MBA in France is important before evaluating ROI. While the france offers world-class business education, its investment goes beyond the tuition costs alone. Here, we have mentioned the cost of studying an MBA in France.
| Institution Type | Student Category | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Public Universities | EU / EEA / Swiss students | EUR 254 per year |
| Public Universities | Non-EU students | EUR 3,941 per year |
| Public Engineering / Special Institutions | All students | EUR 628 – EUR 2,613 per year |
| Doctoral Level (Public) | EU & Non-EU students | EUR 397 per year |
| Private Business Schools (MBA) | All students | EUR 6,000 – EUR 18,000 per year |
Source: CampusFrance
Cost of Living for MBA Students in France
Living costs for students who are studying an MBA in France depend on the city and lifestyle that they choose. Here, we have mentioned the cost of living in France for MBA students in the table below:
| Particulars | Average Monthly Cost (EUR) | Average Monthly Cost (INR) |
| Rental for a 1-bedroom apartment | EUR 600 – EUR 800 | INR 63,404 – INR 84,538 |
| Basic Utilities (Electricity, Water, etc.) | EUR 189 | INR 19,972 |
| Monthly Transport Pass | EUR 60 | INR 6,340 |
| Telephone & Internet (Broadband + Mobile) | ~EUR 50 | INR 5,284 |
| Recreation & Leisure | EUR 50 | INR 5,284 |
| Food and Drinks | EUR 150 – EUR 200 | INR 15,851 – INR 21,135 |
| Total Average Monthly Spend | EUR 1,185 | INR 1.25 lakh |
Also Read: Study Abroad ROI 2025: Country & Course Comparison
Salary After MBA in France
Understanding post-MBA salary is important when calculating real return on investment. France offers strong earning opportunities due to high demand and access to the European job market. MBA Graduates can earn around EUR 60,000 to EUR 90,000 annually in the top industries such as Finance, consulting and tech. Here, you can look at the average salary that is expected after completing the MBA in France.
| Industry | Average Salary (EUR per year) |
| Energy & Sustainability | EUR 96,996 |
| Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare | EUR 69,240 |
| Consulting | EUR 55,600 |
| Finance & Banking | EUR 55,000 |
| Technology & Innovation | EUR 51,100 |
MBA Employment Opportunities in France
France offers numerous employment opportunities to its MBA graduates. Some of the top French business schools report 75% placement rates, where most of the graduates secure jobs within the 3 months of graduation. Internships also turn into full-time job roles at some organisations due to the extraordinary performance of the interns. Also, alumni networks play a major role in consulting and corporate hiring
Post-Study Work Rights in France and Their Impact on ROI
Post-study work options play a crucial role in determining how quickly international students can recover their MBA investment in France. While France does not offer a long open work visa, its system still supports employability through structured pathways. There are many post-study work visas in France for an MBA graduate, as mentioned below:
- APS / Temporary Residence Permit: APS is known as APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour), which is valid for up to 12 months. These permits are available to graduates of recognised French institutions and allow a search of full time employment.
- Employer-sponsored work permits: To apply for the employer-sponsored work permits, students must secure a qualifying job offer. Some of the common permits include the Talent Passport and salaried employee permits. However, minimum salary thresholds apply depending on permit type.
How Post-Study Work Rights Affect ROI
Post-study work rights directly influence how fast you can recover your MBA investment. Some of the important points to consider on how the ROI impacts the post-study work rights in France are listed below:
- Shorter work windows increase job-search pressure
- Faster employment improves payback timelines
- Employer sponsorship becomes critical for a long-term stay
MBA ROI Payback Period in France
The payback period depends on school ranking, salary level, and speed of employment. There are basically three types of scenarios in which the payback period can slightly vary with the ROI. These typical ROI scenarios are mentioned below:
| Scenario | Avg Salary (EUR ) | Payback Period (Years) |
| Best-case | 95,000–110,000 | 1.5–2 |
| Average | 70,000–85,000 | 2.5–3.5 |
| Conservative | 55,000–65,000 | 4–5 |
Also Read: STEM MBA: Best Universities Abroad, Eligibility and More
Who Gets the Best ROI from an MBA in France?
Many students who pursue an MBA in France expect a good ROI. However, many candidates can get an upper hand and can get a better ROI from an MBA in France than others. Here we have listed the profiles that can get the strongest ROI:
- Candidates with 4–8 years of prior work experience
- Consulting-focused profiles targeting European firms
- Students aiming for Europe-based careers
- Multilingual candidates (English + French or another EU language)
Is an MBA in France Worth It?
An MBA in France can deliver a strong ROI to its graduates, but it is not a one-size-fits-all option. An MBA in France is worth it for candidates who plan strategically, act early on their job search, and view France as a career ecosystem, not just a study destination.
However, certain students have a strong profile to get the high ROI, while others need to reconsider their choice. Some of the High and Average ROI candidates are given below:
High ROI candidates
- Graduated from top schools
- Strong professional background
- Clear industry targeting and networking strategy
Moderate ROI candidates
- Mid-tier schools with solid placements
- Willingness to learn French
- Flexible career goals within Europe
Students who should reconsider this option
- Candidates seeking long, unrestricted post-study work visas
- Students relying solely on MBA-to-PR pathways
- Those without relevant prior experience
FAQs
Yes, an MBA in France can be worth it for candidates targeting consulting, luxury, or European roles, especially with prior experience, strong networking, and realistic salary expectations.
INSEAD consistently offers one of the highest MBA ROIs globally due to its short one-year format, strong placements, high salaries, and rapid payback period.
MBA graduates in France earn an average salary of EUR 55,000–EUR 90,000 annually, depending on business school, industry, role, prior experience, and language proficiency.
An MBA offers good ROI if it leads to career acceleration, higher salaries, leadership roles, or international mobility. ROI depends heavily on school ranking, costs, and career outcomes.
Earnings vary by role and region. MBAs often earn more overall due to leadership roles, while CFAs can earn highly competitive salaries in finance-specific positions.
Related Reads:
So, this was all about the MBA ROI in France. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
60,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!