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MBA Schools: IIMs vs. Non-IIMs The hardest part of studying for an MBA in India is choosing between enrolling in one of the other well-known non-IIM MBA schools or entering the sacred halls of India’s esteemed IIM colleges. Other excellent non-IIMs, such as XLRI, FMS, and ISB, have demonstrated their ability to provide outstanding programs and successful placements, even though IIMs are always associated with excellence and international recognition.
IIMs and non-IIMs will be the subject of this blog, which will include pertinent comparisons between them on significant issues like academic structure, placements, fees, rankings, admission, etc. Candidates will be in a better position to choose their career path if they are aware of these differences.
Overview of IIMs vs. Non-IIMs MBA Colleges
A thorough comparison of the best non-IIM MBA schools and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) is provided below, taking into account important factors like student diversity, fees, placements, and admission requirements.
| Aspect | IIMs | Non-IIMs |
| Prestige & Brand | Globally recognized; top-ranked in NIRF and international rankings. | Highly reputed but not as globally recognized (e.g., XLRI, FMS). |
| Admission Criteria | CAT percentile: 90-99.9 for General category. | CAT percentile: 80-98 for General category. |
| Fees | INR 17-25 lakhs for full-time MBA programs. | INR 8-30 lakhs, depending on the institution. |
| Average Placement Package | INR 25-35 LPA at top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta. | INR 25-30 LPA at top non-IIMs like XLRI, FMS, and MDI Gurgaon. |
| Industry Connections | Extensive global and domestic industry ties; strong alumni network. | Good connections, but slightly less extensive compared to IIMs. |
| Student Diversity | Highly competitive pool; diverse academic and professional backgrounds. | Diverse crowd with regional insights; slightly less competitive pool. |
| Specialized Programs | Offers general MBA and niche courses (e.g., Business Analytics, HR). | Specialized programs in HR, Marketing, and Analytics (e.g., XLRI HR). |
Comparing IIMs and Non-IIMs
The top IIMs and prestigious non-IIM schools are ranked in the following table according to a variety of criteria, illustrating their places in the highly competitive Indian management education market.
| Rank | Institution Name | State |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) | Gujarat |
| 2 | Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi (FMS Delhi) | Delhi |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta) | West Bengal |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) | Karnataka |
| 4 | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) | Uttar Pradesh |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) | Kerala |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) | Madhya Pradesh |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi (IIFT Delhi) | Delhi |
| 8 | Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) | Maharashtra |
| 9 | Shailesh J Mehta School of Management, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) | Maharashtra |
| 10 | Indian Institute of Management Raipur (IIM Raipur) | Chhattisgarh |
| 11 | Indian Institute of Management Rohtak (IIM Rohtak) | Haryana |
| 12 | Indian Institute of Management Ranchi (IIM Ranchi) | Jharkhand |
| 13 | Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli (IIM Trichy) | Tamil Nadu |
| 14 | Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIM Udaipur) | Rajasthan |
| 15 | Indian Institute of Management Kashipur (IIM Kashipur) | Uttarakhand |
| 16 | Indian Institute of Management Shillong (IIM Shillong) | Meghalaya |
| 17 | Management Development Institute (MDI Gurgaon) | Haryana |
| 18 | SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR Mumbai) | Maharashtra |
| 19 | Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur (XLRI) | Jharkhand |
| 20 | Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM Pune) | Maharashtra |
Note: The IIRF MBA Rankings 2024 are the source of the aforementioned rankings.
Admissions Procedure for IIMs vs. Non-IIMs
IIMs and non-IIM institutions have very different admissions procedures, especially when it comes to the selection criteria and phases. A comparison of the admissions procedures for the two groups can be found below.
| Aspect | IIMs | Non-IIMs |
| Entrance Exam | The Common Admission Test (CAT) is mandatory. | Varies; some may accept CAT, XAT, GMAT, or their own entrance exams. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). | Generally similar; may vary by institution. |
| Stage 1: Shortlisting | Candidates are shortlisted based on CAT scores and academic records. | Candidates are shortlisted based on entrance exam scores and sometimes academic performance. |
| Stage 2: WAT/PI | Shortlisted candidates must take the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). | May have a Group Discussion (GD) or Personal Interview (PI) depending on the institution. |
| Stage 3: Final Selection | Final selection is based on a composite score that includes CAT score, WAT/PI performance, academic performance, work experience, and diversity factors. | Final selection often considers entrance exam scores, interview performance, and academic records. |
| Diversity Considerations | Points awarded for gender diversity and academic diversity (non-engineering backgrounds). | Some institutions may consider diversity but often less formally than IIMs. |
Important Takeaways:
- The CAT exam is the main focus of IIMs’ more rigorous and structured admissions process; WAT and PI are used for final selection.
- The flexibility of entrance exams at non-IIMs varies greatly, and there might not be any WAT or GD. This is entirely dependent on the organization.
- IIMs prioritize a highly diverse and heterogeneous class through particular scoring systems, while both focus on strong academic performance.
Comparing IIMs and Non-IIMs: Academic Organization
The fundamental courses in their curricula, such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and so forth, are well-suited for both. But there is a small distinction.
- IIMs: The coursework is more demanding and heavily emphasizes case studies and real-world application. The instructors at IIMs are highly qualified and experienced; the majority hold PhDs or have substantial industry experience.
- Non-IIMs: The majority of non-IIM universities offer their students a respectable academic perspective as well, but they might not have the same degree of branding and instructional expertise as the IIM. When it comes to curriculum quality, some very strong non-IIMs, like SPJIMR and XLRI, actually compete with the IIM.
Placements for IIMs and Non-IIMs
According to placement statistics, there are notable differences between IIMs and non-IIMs:
- IIM Placements: According to the top IIMs, nearly all of them achieve extremely high placement rates, typically reaching 100%, with average annual packages ranging from INR 30-34 lakhs. For instance, IIM Ahmedabad’s placement report highlighted the significant increase in offers from tech and consulting firms.
- Non-IIM Placements: Although the average compensation packages are comparatively lower, the majority of other non-IIM institutes also offer placement along this line. The top and most well-known non-IIM B-schools, for instance, are able to provide competitive packages, but they typically fall short of the top IIMs. The top non-IIM with placement rates that meet IIM-A, B, and C standards is FMS Delhi.
Fee Schedule for IIMs vs. Non-IIMs
Fee schedules for IIMs and non-IIMs differ greatly:
| Institution Type | Average Fees (INR) |
| Old IIMs | 25-27 lakhs |
| New IIMs | 17-20 lakhs |
| Top Non-IIMs | 20-30 lakhs |
| Other Non-IIMs | 8-15 lakhs |
IIM includes additional fees, such as international immersion programs, in addition to tuition and housing costs. Some of these non-IIMs are less expensive than others, but they lack a robust industry placement grid and connectivity.
Conclusion: IIMs vs. Non-IIMs MBA Schools
Although management education is valuable at both IIMs and non-IIM institutions, there are significant differences in academic rigor, placement opportunities, and cost structures. That is one crucial factor that students must consider when deciding on their management education pathways. In the end, this might come down to a personal decision depending on financial variations, career goals, and unique institute strengths.