So, I have a difficult decision and am hoping for some inputs. I have been admitted into EADA and am hoping for a decent scholarship and with my GMAT it looks possible and it is a one year program. On the other hand, ESADE is 2 years so living+ tuition would be 2 or 3 times as much (+ being unemployed for another year). I can afford it but is it worth it? Is it really that much more prestigious?

[Edited by chempy on Mar 04, 2022]

I think you need to clarify your goals. Do either of these schools place into Berlin fintechs? 

Your framing suggests you have a strong bias towards EADA. The Esade MBA can also be completed in one year. Why are you not looking closely enough to know that? 

What is the course you want to take? MBA? Master?
I am a former MBA student at EADA, and I also have friends who did ESADE, I can give you my perception.
Regarding learning, I think the EADA MBA is very good and the modules they have are very similar to the ESADE content. Also, these schools often hire teachers from each other - so the quality is high.
Learning soft skills at EADA is also very good, they have a dedicated external campus for that. I don't know how this part is at ESADE.
BUT in terms of contacts with companies, meaning, better job opportunities just after the MBA, it's definitely at ESADE (or IESE - more expensive). There, companies go to the school to recruit the students. 
In my time (2017/2018), the career services at EADA were not good. They gave us an excel with the name of the companies and a former student who works in that company. 
You have to put it in the balance and calculate what would be your payback in each of the schools, at ESADE you would spend more, but you would get a good job right after the MBA. At EADA, it may take a little longer due to the lack of school contacts, but you would have more money saved because its cheaper.
Hope I could have helped you.
Good Luck!

It is the MBA. I think my question really is, is the EADA MBA, even if not as prestigious, known well in Europe? 

It is the MBA. I think my question really is, is the EADA MBA, even if not as prestigious, known well in Europe? 

What is the course you want to take? MBA? Master?
I am a former MBA student at EADA, and I also have friends who did ESADE, I can give you my perception.
Regarding learning, I think the EADA MBA is very good and the modules they have are very similar to the ESADE content. Also, these schools often hire teachers from each other - so the quality is high.
Learning soft skills at EADA is also very good, they have a dedicated external campus for that. I don't know how this part is at ESADE.
BUT in terms of contacts with companies, meaning, better job opportunities just after the MBA, it's definitely at ESADE (or IESE - more expensive). There, companies go to the school to recruit the students. 
In my time (2017/2018), the career services at EADA were not good. They gave us an excel with the name of the companies and a former student who works in that company. 
You have to put it in the balance and calculate what would be your payback in each of the schools, at ESADE you would spend more, but you would get a good job right after the MBA. At EADA, it may take a little longer due to the lack of school contacts, but you would have more money saved because its cheaper.
Hope I could have helped you.
Good Luck!

EADA is much less well known, and the quality of the students and employer connections will be far weaker.