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ISB vs Wharton


When it comes to pursuing an MBA, the choice of the right business school can make all the difference. In this blog, we will compare two top business schools based on their FT Ranking 2022 and previous placement reports - Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Indian School of Business (ISB).


ISB vs Wharton


1. FT Ranking 2022 for ISB vs Wharton:


Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has been consistently ranked as the number one business school by the Financial Times for the past several years, while the Indian School of Business has been ranked at 32nd place. However, it is worth noting that the Indian School of Business has been steadily improving its ranking over the years, moving from 28th in 2020 to 23rd in 2021. Wharton has consistently been a top-ranking business school globally, and its MBA program is renowned for its academic excellence, faculty, and resources. ISB, on the other hand, is a relatively new business school, established in 2001. However, it has quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading business schools in Asia.


2. Salary percentage increase for ISB vs Wharton:


When it comes to the salary percentage increase after graduation, ISB fares much better than Wharton. According to the FT Ranking 2022, the average salary increase for ISB graduates is 184%, while it is 115% for Wharton graduates.



3. Salary today for ISB vs Wharton:


The weighted salary of Wharton graduates is higher than ISB graduates, with a salary today of $237,530 as compared to $158,749 for ISB graduates.

Duration of course: The Wharton School's MBA program lasts for 20 months, while the Indian School of Business's program is only 12 months long. This difference may impact the depth and breadth of the curriculum, the intensity of the program, and the amount of time students have to gain practical experience.


4. Location for ISB vs Wharton:


Wharton School is based in the US, while the Indian School of Business is located in India. This difference in location may influence the kind of industries and companies that students can interact with and the level of exposure they get to different business environments.


5. Class size for ISB vs Wharton:


Wharton School has a much larger class size than ISB, with 877 students as compared to 843 students. However, both schools have a high percentage of female students, with Wharton at 50% and ISB at 37%.


6. Top industries and functions for ISB vs Wharton:


When it comes to the top industries and functions that graduates go into, consulting and finance are the most popular choices for both schools.

However, there are some differences in the specific industries and functions that graduates go into. For instance, Wharton graduates tend to go into financial services and consulting, while ISB graduates tend to go into consulting and IT/ITeS.


7. Fees for ISB vs Wharton:


The fees for Wharton School's MBA program are higher than ISB's, with $118,568 for the first year and $116,568 for the second year as compared to Rs. 32,77,980 for shared accommodation and Rs. 35,45,840 for studio accommodation for ISB.


8. Salary and Employment Opportunities for ISB vs Wharton:


In terms of salary percentage increase, ISB ranks higher than Wharton, with an increase of 184% compared to Wharton's 115%. The average salary of ISB graduates is $160,951, while Wharton graduates earn an average salary of $238,741. Both schools have excellent career services, with 97% of Wharton graduates and 100% of ISB graduates being employed within three months of graduation. However, Wharton's career services rank higher at 19th, while ISB is ranked 43rd.



9. Student Diversity for ISB vs Wharton:


Wharton has a more diverse student body, with 50% female students and 51% international students. ISB has 38% female students and only 1% international students. The faculty diversity at Wharton is also higher, with 29% female faculty and 38% international faculty, while ISB has 13% female faculty and 13% international faculty.


10. Function and Industry Placements for ISB vs Wharton:


Wharton graduates tend to get placed in consulting, private equity/venture capital, and investment banking, with consulting being the top function and financial services being the top industry. ISB graduates, on the other hand, tend to get placed in consulting, marketing/sales, and product management, with consulting being the top function and consulting being the top industry.


Wharton School has a strong track record of placement success, with 97% of its graduates employed within three months of graduation, according to the FT Ranking 2022. The average salary package of Wharton's graduates is $238,741, with a salary percentage increase of 115%. The top sectors for Wharton graduates are consulting/strategy, private equity/venture capital-investor, and investment banking, with 34.1%, 12.2%, and 11.1% of graduates employed in each sector, respectively. The top industries for Wharton graduates are financial services, consulting, and technology, with 35.1%, 27.2%, and 18.6% of graduates employed in each industry, respectively.


ISB, on the other hand, has a higher placement success rate than Wharton, with 100% of its graduates employed within three months of graduation, according to the FT Ranking 2022. The average salary package of ISB's graduates is $160,951, with a salary percentage increase of 184%.


The top sectors for ISB graduates are consulting, marketing/sales, and product management, with 37%, 18%, and 12% of graduates employed in each sector, respectively. The top industries for ISB graduates are consulting, IT/ITeS, and financial services, with 37%, 12%, and 12% of graduates employed in each industry, respectively.


It is worth noting that the programs at Wharton and ISB have different durations, with Wharton's MBA program being a 20-month course while ISB's program is a 12-month course. The duration of the program may affect the placement opportunities available to graduates, as longer programs may provide more opportunities for internships and networking events.



In conclusion, both Wharton and ISB are excellent business schools, but they offer different advantages and disadvantages depending on what a student is looking for. Wharton is a more established and higher-ranked school, located in the US, with a longer program and higher fees, but with higher average salaries and a more diverse student and faculty body. ISB is a newer school, located in India, with a shorter program and lower fees, but with a higher salary percentage increase and a more focused program on consulting and marketing/sales. Ultimately, students should choose the school that aligns best with their goals, preferences, and aspirations.


While Wharton is consistently ranked higher in the FT Rankings, ISB is quickly improving its position and offers a shorter program with a higher salary increase. Ultimately, the choice of the business school should depend on individual needs, preferences, and career goals.


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