ISB vs Cambridge Judge MBA: A Comprehensive Comparison
For MBA aspirants choosing between the Indian School of Business - ISB and Cambridge Judge Business School, understanding the unique advantages each program offers is critical. This detailed comparison, drawn from the Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 and explores key areas like curriculum, diversity, career outcomes, and sustainability initiatives.
1. ISB vs Cambridge Program Overview
Indian School of Business (ISB): ISB offers a 1-year full-time residential Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Management, designed for professionals with 2-24 years of experience. The program emphasizes:
Career pivots across industries or geographies.
Leadership and resilience in dynamic business landscapes.
A robust global curriculum tailored to Indian and Asian market contexts.
Global Rank: 31 (FT MBA Rankings 2024).
Cambridge Judge Business School: The Cambridge MBA is also a 1-year full-time program, blending academic rigor with experiential learning. Key features include:
A small class size of ~244 students, fostering close collaboration and personalized attention.
Strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and global exposure.
Global Rank: 29 (FT MBA Rankings 2024).
2. ISB vs Cambridge Cost and Scholarships
ISB:
Tuition Fee: INR 4,000,000 ($48,000).
Scholarships: Approximately 25% of students receive scholarships. Categories include:
Merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Diversity and social impact scholarships for public-sector returnees.
ISB’s affordable cost structure, coupled with its 1st global rank in salary percentage increase, ensures high ROI.
Cambridge Judge:
Tuition Fee: £74,000 (~$92,000).
Scholarships: Cambridge offers multiple options, such as:
Grants for sustainability and women’s leadership.
Access to external funding opportunities.
While more expensive upfront, Cambridge Judge justifies the cost with its global brand recognition and access to the Cambridge Cluster.
3. ISB vs Cambridge Career Outcomes
Salary Percentage Increase: 229% (Ranked 1 globally for this metric by FT).
Average Post-MBA Salary: ₹35 LPA (~$42,000).
Employment at 3 Months: 100%—a testament to ISB’s strong placement ecosystem.
Top Industries: Consulting (17%), technology (14%), and product management (13%).
Alumni Base: Over 16,000 globally, with 78% concentrated in India.
Salary Percentage Increase: 99%.
Average Post-MBA Salary: £91,083 (~$115,000).
Employment at 3 Months: 94%.
Top Industries: Consulting (27%), finance (24%), and technology (28%).
Alumni Network: Embedded in Cambridge’s global ecosystem, the network spans over 31 countries.
4. ISB vs Cambridge Diversity and Inclusivity
ISB:
Class Size: ~816 (2024 cohort).
Gender Diversity: 40% female students, with a 7% increase from the previous year.
International Exposure: While primarily focused on the Indian and Asian markets, ISB’s dual campuses (Hyderabad and Mohali) create a dynamic and inclusive environment.
Cambridge Judge:
Class Size: ~244.
Gender Diversity: 47% female students.
International Student Ratio: 98%, with representation from 49 nationalities.
Cambridge benefits from being part of the University of Cambridge’s collegiate system, providing students access to a broad academic and cultural network.
5. ISB vs Cambridge Curriculum and Learning Approach
ISB:
A mix of core courses (e.g., leadership, analytics, strategy) and 200+ electives across sectors.
Experiential Learning:
Case competitions, practicums, and real-world problem-solving.
Leadership coaching and personalized career mentoring.
Focus on Asian markets and data-driven decision-making, complemented by global faculty collaboration.
Cambridge Judge:
A blend of core courses, electives, and nine concentrations, including Sustainability, Digital Transformation, and Energy.
Signature Projects:
Cambridge Venture Project: Focused on startups within the Cambridge Cluster.
Global Consulting Project (GCP): Opportunities to consult for multinational corporations like Amazon and Deloitte.
Innovative pathways like the Sustainability Pathway emphasize environmental and social governance (ESG).
6. Sustainability and Innovation
ISB:
LEED Platinum-certified campuses demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.
Initiatives like the Bharti Institute of Public Policy and the Max Institute for Healthcare Management foster innovation in critical societal domains.
Focused programs for entrepreneurial leadership and impact-driven businesses.
Cambridge Judge:
Sustainability is a central theme, with specialized electives such as Sustainable Finance and Net Zero Entrepreneurship.
Access to the Cambridge Cluster, Europe’s largest tech hub, offers unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with 5,000+ startups.
7. Alumni Networks
ISB:
Over 16,000 alumni globally, with a strong presence in India and Asia.
Prominent entrepreneurial focus, with 750+ alumni founders and 13+ unicorns.
Cambridge Judge:
A smaller yet highly influential alumni network, embedded within Cambridge’s vast academic ecosystem.
Alumni benefit from the Cambridge Cluster, known for attracting five times the investment per capita as London.
Program Structure
ISB PGP: A 1-year full-time residential program with terms spanning over approximately 12 months, divided into 7 terms. The program is tailored for professionals with 2-24 years of work experience, focusing on functional, cross-functional, and niche expertise with a strong emphasis on leadership and analytical skills.
Cambridge MBA: Also a 1-year program but structured into 4 terms with extensive project-based learning, including team projects like the Cambridge Venture Project and Global Consulting Project. It offers flexibility through electives and concentrations.
9. Class Profile
ISB PGP:
Average Age: 26 years
Work Experience: 2-22 years, averaging 4.1 years
Gender Ratio: 53% male, 47% female
Class Size: 816 students
Cambridge MBA:
Average Age: 29 years
Work Experience: 6 years average
Gender Ratio: 53% male, 47% female
Class Size: 244 students from 49 nationalities
10. Curriculum and Learning Approach
ISB PGP: Focuses on a robust foundational curriculum with flexibility for electives and real-world problem-solving. Leadership coaching, career mentoring, and a high emphasis on data-informed decision-making are integrated.
Cambridge MBA: Combines academic rigor with experiential learning through projects like the Global Consulting Project, International Business Study Trip, and sustainability-focused pathways. It also offers tailored learning with electives and concentrations in areas like entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and sustainability.
11. Career Support and Outcomes
ISB PGP:
Placement rate of nearly 100%, with an average salary of INR 35 LPA (~$42,000).
High salary growth with a 229% increase post-MBA as per FT rankings.
Strong industry connections with top recruiters across consulting, technology, and finance.
Cambridge MBA:
86% employed within 3 months with an average salary of £91,083 (~$115,000).
Strong focus on career switches, with 97% of students changing country, industry, or function, and 43% achieving a triple switch.
Dedicated career development programs tailored to student goals.
12. Entrepreneurship
ISB PGP: Strong focus on entrepreneurship with initiatives like I-Venture@ISB, incubators, and startup resources. ISB alumni have raised $4.5 billion in VC funding and founded 175+ startups globally.
Cambridge MBA: Embedded within the Cambridge ecosystem, leveraging the "Silicon Fen" technology hub. Offers resources through the Entrepreneurship Centre and programs like Accelerate Cambridge.
13. Global Exposure
ISB PGP: Primarily focuses on the Indian market but provides a global curriculum and alumni network in 60 countries.
Cambridge MBA: Offers strong global exposure through its international alumni network, consulting projects, and study trips. It is deeply embedded in the European business ecosystem.
14. Alumni Network
ISB PGP: 16,000 alumni across multiple programs, with 800+ at CXO levels and a strong presence in Asia.
Cambridge MBA: Smaller but highly connected alumni base with significant representation in Europe and access to the broader University of Cambridge alumni network.
Rankings
FT MBA 2024 Rankings: ISB vs. Cambridge Judge
Parameter | Indian School of Business (ISB) | University of Cambridge: Judge |
FT Global Rank 2024 | 31 | 29 |
Alumni Network Rank | 8 | 37 |
Carbon Footprint Rank | 76 | 60 |
Weighted Salary (US$) | $174,421 | $176,786 |
Value for Money Rank | 55 | 15 |
Career Progress Rank | 41 | 19 |
Location | India | UK |
Rank in 2022 | 32 | 22 |
Three-Year Average Rank | 34 | 25 |
Audit Year | 2021 | 2017 |
Rank in 2023 | 39 | 23 |
Salary Percentage Increase | 229% | 99% |
Aims Achieved (%) | 85 | 91 |
Careers Service Rank | 19 | 44 |
International Board (%) | 25 | 45 |
Female Students (%) | 40 | 42 |
Women on Board (%) | 10 | 55 |
International Faculty (%) | 17 | 82 |
International Students (%) | 1 | 98 |
Sector Diversity Rank | 29 | 53 |
Female Faculty (%) | 17 | 25 |
Overall Satisfaction | 9.294 | 9.342 |
ESG and Net Zero Teaching Rank | 91 | 7 |
International Course Experience Rank | 70 | 64 |
International Mobility Rank | 87 | 23 |
Faculty with Doctorates (%) | 100 | 98 |
FT Research Rank | 52 | 63 |
Key Insights from FT Rankings
Salary Metrics:
Cambridge Judge boasts a marginally higher weighted salary of $176,786 compared to ISB's $174,421.
ISB, however, leads significantly in salary percentage increase (229% vs. 99%), reflecting its strong ROI for candidates transitioning careers.
Diversity:
Cambridge surpasses ISB in international diversity, with 98% international students and 82% international faculty compared to ISB's 1% and 17%, respectively.
ISB performs better in gender parity for alumni networks but lags in women on the board (10% vs. 55% for Cambridge).
Value for Money:
Cambridge Judge holds a superior rank (15) in value for money compared to ISB (55), indicating stronger outcomes relative to the investment.
Sustainability and ESG:
Cambridge ranks 7th in ESG and net zero teaching, significantly outperforming ISB (91st).
Career Progression and Support:
ISB demonstrates stronger career service rankings (19 vs. 44) but is behind Cambridge in career progress (41 vs. 19).
Global Exposure:
Cambridge excels with its international course experience (64 vs. ISB’s 70) and mobility rank (23 vs. ISB’s 87), ideal for candidates seeking global careers.
This comparison highlights the nuanced strengths of each program. ISB is highly competitive in terms of ROI and career services, making it an excellent choice for professionals targeting the Indian or Asian markets. Cambridge Judge, on the other hand, is better suited for candidates prioritizing global exposure, sustainability, and a diverse international cohort.
Key Takeaways
Choose ISB if:
You seek a high ROI MBA for career growth in Asia-focused markets.
Entrepreneurship, consulting, or technology are your primary career goals.
You value affordability and global exposure with a strong Indian perspective.
Choose Cambridge Judge if:
You aim for a global MBA with strong international mobility and sustainability focus.
You want to access Europe’s largest tech and innovation hub.
A small, intimate class size and personalized learning appeal to you.
Navigating your MBA journey can be overwhelming, but with GOALisB MBA Admissions Consulting, you’ll have expert guidance every step of the way. Whether you’re applying to ISB, Cambridge Judge, or other top programs, we offer tailored support for applications, interviews, and scholarships. Let’s shape your success story—reach out today!