Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe and has been a member of the European Union since 1995. German is the official language and is spoken by the majority of the population; Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovenian are also official local languages in some areas. Austria is a high-income country with a high standard of living.
Austria’s higher education system includes 23 public universities, 21 universities of applied sciences, 17 accredited private universities, and 14 university colleges of teacher education. Public universities are autonomous legal entities under public law and are financed through public funds, with performance agreements concluded with the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research. You can learn more in our guide to Higher education in the country.
Bachelor’s programs generally require at least 180 ECTS credits, Master’s programs usually require 120 ECTS credits, and doctoral or Ph.D. programs usually last at least three years.
Listed below are some of the top business schools and business-focused universities in Austria.
Top Business Schools in Austria
1. Vienna University of Economics and Business
The Vienna University of Economics and Business is a public university focused on business, economics, law, and related social sciences. It holds the triple crown accreditation of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, and WU states that it is the only university in Austria with all three accreditations. It offers the English-taught Bachelor’s Program in Business and Economics, German-taught bachelor’s programs, several English-taught master’s programs, and doctoral and Ph.D. programs.
The university has established a reputation for research, community involvement, and the application of research to industry. It also has an award-winning campus architecture that is open to the public. WU is also a member of ENGAGE.EU, a European university alliance in business, economics, and social sciences, giving students access to shared courses, mobility opportunities, summer schools, and joint study opportunities.
All students must pay the Austrian Students’ Union fee of €26.20 per semester. The standard tuition fee is €363.36 per semester, while non-EU and non-EEA students generally pay €726.72 per semester. Tuition fees are temporarily waived for eligible groups, including Austrian, EU, EEA, and Swiss students during the standard duration of the program plus two extra semesters, and refugees under the Geneva Convention.
2. University of Vienna
The University of Vienna has a Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral or Ph.D. study options in areas such as business administration, international business administration, economics, statistics, banking and finance, business analytics, and research in economics and finance. The faculty brings together business, economics, and statistics within one of Austria’s major public research universities.
Most University of Vienna degree programs are taught in German, but several business-related programs include German and English instruction. Students in international business administration can also choose business-language courses such as English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, and other languages. The faculty emphasizes research through working papers, seminars, and publications in international journals.
EU/EEA/Swiss students are exempt from tuition for the stipulated duration of their program plus two tolerance semesters and pay only the Students’ Union fee during that period. After that period, the semester total is €389.56, including €363.36 tuition and the €26.20 Students’ Union fee. Non-EU/EEA students generally pay €752.92 per semester, including €726.72 tuition and the €26.20 Students’ Union fee, although exemptions may apply.
3. University of Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck is a public research university with a Faculty of Business and Management and a Faculty of Business Administration. Its Faculty of Business Administration offers a bachelor’s and diploma study program, seven master’s programs, and a Ph.D. program in Management.
The faculty emphasizes research, management education, and links between academic study and practice. Students can also add interdisciplinary options, including the Extension Programme Entrepreneurship, a German-taught program worth 45 ECTS credits that is designed for two semesters and combines entrepreneurial thinking with practical work on business models, prototyping, and innovation projects.
EU/EEA/Swiss students generally pay only the Austrian Students’ Union fee while they are within the designated study duration plus tolerance semesters. The tuition fee, when payable, is €363.36 per semester for Austrian, EU/EEA, and Swiss students and €726.72 per semester for third-country students, plus the €26.20 Students’ Union fee.
4. MCI | The Entrepreneurial University
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s; Executive Doctoral Programs with Partner Universities
MCI | The Entrepreneurial University in Innsbruck is an Entrepreneurial University of Applied Sciences. It connects science, business, and consulting, and offers programs in fields such as management, society, technology, and life sciences. MCI is accredited by AQ Austria, has AACSB business accreditation, and has received FIBAA Premium Seals as well as FIBAA’s Excellence in Digital Education seal.
MCI emphasizes practical relevance and international experience. For example, the English-taught Business & Management bachelor’s program is a full-time, six-semester, 180-ECTS program with an integrated internship, a mandatory semester abroad, practical projects, and double-degree options. MCI also offers four-semester master’s programs, including English-taught options, and executive doctoral programs run with international partner universities.
Tuition is €363.36 per semester for beginning students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, plus the €26.20 Students’ Union fee. Non-EU students pay €7,500 per semester for bachelor’s and master’s programs. The first-year tuition installment is €726.72 for EU/EEA/Swiss students and €15,000 for non-EU students.
5. Danube Business School
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Master’s, MBA, MSc (Continuing Education), and Certificate Programs
Danube Business School is part of the Department for Management and Economics in the Faculty of Business and Globalisation at the University for Continuing Education Krems. It focuses on university-based continuing education in business and management for professionals and executives.
Danube Business School offers MBA programs, MSc (Continuing Education) programs, and short programs. Its MBA portfolio includes the MBA General Management, MBA with specialization, MBA Professional with specialization, and Executive MBA. Some programs can be completed in blended-learning or distance-learning formats, and certificate programs can be credited toward MBA or MSc options when admission requirements are met.
Danube Business School has met ACBSP accreditation requirements, and its programs include ACBSP-accredited MBA options. Current tuition varies by program and format. For example, the MBA International Business is 90 ECTS credits and costs €16,900 in the distance-learning option or €23,900 in the blended-learning option.
As an international student interested in Business, Austria offers several strong public universities, universities of applied sciences, and continuing education providers. One of the institutions listed here could be your next study destination. Start by checking the current program page, admission requirements, tuition rules, and scholarship options directly with the institution.
We hope this article on the best business schools in Austria was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Austria and Available Business Programs for International Students!
