Top MBA Colleges Other Than IIMs: NIRF Ranking, Fees, Eligibility, Admission Process

There are numerous top MBA colleges other than IIMs in India, such as IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, SIBM Pune, IIT Delhi, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIT Roorkee and more. IIM Full Form is a Master of Business Administration started in the USA about 100 years ago, and the concept of getting a professional MBA to run a business effectively has spread worldwide.

The list of top management colleges in India apart from IIMs have been listed below along with the NIRF ranking 2024 for the candidate's reference. Candidates are advised to check the complete details on the colleges before proceeding with the admission process.

Top MBA Colleges Other Than IIMs NIRF Ranking

IIMs are some of the pioneers of MBA training in India. However, various B-schools such as IITs and MDI offer top-notch MBA education.

The factors used to determine the quality of these colleges include threshold, pitch cost, department, alums, and academics. The top colleges in India as per NIRF for MBA other than IIMs have been mentioned in the table below.

Read More: MBA without GMAT in Top Business Schools - Executive MBA

Top MBA Colleges Other Than IIMs Fees

The fees for the best MBA colleges in India other than IIMs are listed in the table below.

Also Read: Career Options after MBA Marketing: Highest Paying Jobs, Top Recruiters

Top Non-IIM Colleges in India Eligibility Criteria

Choosing an MBA college begins with checking the eligibility requirements.

A candidate seeking MBA admission 2025 to one of the top colleges in India must take the Common Admission Test (CAT) or any other MBA exam as a first step. Listed below are the criteria for admission to top MBA colleges other than IIM:

• Candidates should have a minimum of 50% in graduation (final year students can also apply) in any discipline from a recognized institute.
• They should have 50 % or more aggregate grades from any recognised board in the 10th and 12th classes.
• Scores of Entrance Exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, GMAT, or any institute's tests are required. 
• The candidates are also judged on their leadership potential, decision-making skills, etc. 
• Candidates with work experience in extracurricular activities are given extra weightage.

Also Read: What is the age limit for Executive MBA?

Top Non-IIM Colleges in India Admission Process

Admission to top non-IIM MBA colleges like XLRI, MDI, SIBM, and IITs is primarily entrance-test based. Most institutes accept CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, or their own tests followed by Group Discussion, Written Ability Test, and Personal Interview. Academic performance, work experience, and extracurriculars also play a role. Selection is holistic, combining test scores with profile evaluation.

Key Steps in the Admission Process

1. Appear for Entrance Exams: Begin by taking a national-level management entrance test. Popular options include:

• CAT (Common Admission Test)

• XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

• NMAT by GMAC (accepted by institutes like NMIMS)

• GMAT (accepted by select colleges such as IBS and Great Lakes)

2. Apply to Preferred Colleges: After the exam, candidates must submit separate applications to each non-IIM institute they wish to join.

3. Shortlisting of Candidates: Institutes evaluate exam scores and set cut-offs depending on factors like exam difficulty and applicant volume to shortlist candidates.

4. Selection Rounds – GD/WAT & PI: Shortlisted applicants face multiple evaluation stages:

• Written Ability Test (WAT): Tests clarity of thought and written communication.

• Group Discussion (GD): Assesses communication, teamwork, and analytical skills.

• Personal Interview (PI): Judges leadership qualities, career vision, and overall personality.

5. Final Admission Offer: The ultimate selection is based on a composite score, considering entrance exam performance, GD/WAT-PI results, academic record, work experience, and overall profile.

Also Read: Executive MBA from IIMs in 2025: Eligibility, Fees, and Placement Trends