“I took out a loan of 50,000 euros to pay for my studies and my accommodation.
»Originally from Brittany, Mathilde is entering her third year at Essec Business School in Cergy (Val-d'Oise).
Engaged in a four-year course, she opted for a two-year work-study program, so that her boss finances half of her training.
“I would like to do a master's degree afterwards, but I'm sure I won't do it here because it costs too much.
"
Like many students of her age, Mathilde has made the choice to go into debt to join the school she covets.
Recognized on the international scene, Essec guarantees it a professional network made up of alumni and a good reputation on the job market.
Annual tuition fees of 17,000 to 18,000 euros
In all the rankings of French business schools for the year 2020, HEC (Jouy-en-Josas, Yvelines), Essec and ESCP (Paris XIe) are in pole position.
They are managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Paris Ile-de-France.
But they are also significantly more expensive than their competitors.
On average, it takes between 17,000 and 18,000 euros a year to enroll in one of these three schools.
When EM Lyon, EDHEC, or even Skema Business School, classified in the following ranks, cost between 14,000 and 15,000 euros per year.
The difference may seem reasonable.
“Frankly, we don't find Essec to be much more expensive than other business schools,” say Tarang, Kashish and Mouyiz, Indian first-year students.
It is even rather average when we see the prices in the United States or elsewhere.
"
Since 2007, an increase of 70%
But for the Regional Chamber of Accounts (CRC) of Ile-de-France, these high tuition fees pose a concern for equal opportunities to integrate these schools.
In a report published at the end of September, the body called on CCI Paris to "ensure that the development of scholarship, loan or apprenticeship systems mitigates the unfavorable impact of tuition fees on the social diversity of students".
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It is based in particular on a comparison: since 2007, the costs of French business schools have increased by 7% to 20% on average.
However, over this same period, tuition fees jumped by more than 70% for HEC and Essec, and by 50% for ESCP.
At issue: heavy investments and ... a decrease in state allocations
To explain this development, the Ile-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry mentions “extremely heavy investment needs in digital, production and research”.
In order to remain competitive in the global market, you have to be at the cutting edge of technology, attract the best teachers and offer ever more international courses.
She also mentions the reductions in state allocations.
“Since 2013, we have lost 70% of funding resources,” explains Jean-Luc Neyraut, director of education at CCI Paris.
We have signed a target and performance contract which indicates that by the end of 2021, there will be no more public funding for these schools.
"
But for Bercy, this shortcut between decreases in endowments and increases in tuition fees is too fast.
“The choice is sovereign in each of the administrations of these schools to compensate for these subsidies, we are told in the cabinet of Alain Griset, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy.
Private higher education schools are intended to find their own funding.
Some do this very well without having an impact on tuition fees.
"
An active policy in favor of social diversity
In any event, the Ile-de-France CCI has been developing solutions for years to attract students from all social classes.
Asked by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2019 on this issue of equal opportunities, it is working hard on the recruitment of students in preparatory class.
"Our job is to give everyone the potential to join a preparatory class," resumes Jean-Luc Neyraut.
There is a lot of self-censorship on the part of young people who are not in an elitist high school.
"
Once admitted to preparatory class, the director of education at CCI Paris ensures that regardless of the student's economic situation, he will have no difficulty in financing his course.
Because admission to this class allows him to take the exams for free.
If he is a scholarship holder, he will pay nothing for his tuition.
If it is not, he can apply for a zero rate loan from a partner bank of the CCI Paris.
“There are also apprenticeship or internship programs for the expense of daily living.
"
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This year, HEC welcomes around 18% of scholarship students in its workforce, Essec 22%.
Within three years, CCI Paris is committed to achieving rates of 25% and 27% respectively in each of these schools.
