Of course most alumni of these programmes end up working elsewhere. Outcomes are obviously much better from Mannheim, partly because GDP in the west German cities is double that of Berlin. There are few opportunities for MBAs in the capital, and they are hotly contested. Look at http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2015 to compare the percentage employed: 90% at Mannheim or 78% at ESMT, despite its lower salaries.

I am also applying to both Mannheim and ESMT. I talked to few alumni of ESMT, They said Microsoft recruited this year and the placement percentage for the recent batch is 88%. From what i am hearing ESMT has more momentum than Mannheim. I think the city GDP stat is misleading as many of ESMT alumni are working in Munich and Frankfurt.

Many alumni of every school work in other places. That does not mean that Berlin's GDP low per capita does not affect the opportunities to find MBA-level work.

[quote]Of course most alumni of these programmes end up working elsewhere. Outcomes are obviously much better from Mannheim, partly because GDP in the west German cities is double that of Berlin. There are few opportunities for MBAs in the capital, and they are hotly contested. Look at http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2015 to compare the percentage employed: 90% at Mannheim or 78% at ESMT, despite its lower salaries.[/quote]
This is very useful, thank you. But it's interesting that you say that the graduates work elsewhere, but still the outcomes are dictated by the region where the schools are. So do you mean to say that the graduates work outside of the cities they study in, but generally in the same regions?

I mean that there are far fewer opportunities in East Germany than in the West, so ESMT students face additional challenges. Indeed most students will work outside their cities, but Mannheim students will mostly find work in much closer cities than Berlin. Many ESMT students will have actively chosen Berlin and will take a discount on salary to stay there. Also consider the esmt concentration on sustainability, which will also suggest that students will take a discount on more typical MBA roles.

[quote]I think the city GDP stat is misleading as many of ESMT alumni are working in Munich and Frankfurt.[/quote]
I agree with this. One of the ESMT's biggest recruiters, TÜV Rheinland, often places grads in its headquarters (in Cologne).

A lot to think about! I will most likely apply to both and then try to have some frank conversations with the people in the career services departments, and then go from there.

Thanks for that! I've just this week applied to Mannheim. Fingers crossed!