Karnataka is home to over 500 MBA colleges, including 363 private institutions, 41 government-owned colleges, and 2 public-private partnership institutes. Admission to Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka is primarily based on entrance exams such as Karnataka PGCET, KMAT, MAT, CAT, CMAT, and XAT. Some of the renowned institutions in the state include IIM Bangalore, T A Pai Management Institute, Christ University, Jain Deemed-to-be University, and Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship.
An MBA is a two-year postgraduate program that provides in-depth knowledge of management concepts and business strategies. Some of the most sought-after MBA specialisations include Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Organisational Behavior, and Management Principles. Earning an MBA degree enhances managerial skills, preparing individuals for leadership roles and offering diverse career opportunities.
Below are the key highlights of Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka:
IIM Bangalore, T A Pai Management Institute, Christ University, Jain Deemed-to-be University, Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, Visvesvaraya Technological University, etc.
Top Specialisations
Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Operations, IT & Systems, etc.
Accepted Entrance Exams
Karnataka PGCET, KMAT, CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, etc.
Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka with NIRF Ranking 2024
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is a ranking system introduced by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to evaluate and rank higher education institutions based on various parameters such as teaching, learning, research, graduation outcomes, and perception. It was launched on September 29, 2015, to provide a transparent and comprehensive assessment of educational institutions across India.
Among the top MBA colleges in Karnataka, the table below presents their NIRF rankings over the past three years (2022-2024):
NIRF Ranking of Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka
College Name
NIRF 2022
NIRF 2023
NIRF 2024
IIM Bangalore
2
2
2
T A Pai Management Institute
38
42
58
Christ University
72
60
60
Jain Deemed-to-be University
96
85
77
Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka: Admissions 2025
To secure admission to the best MBA colleges in Karnataka, candidates must meet the following general eligibility criteria:
Educational Qualification: Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in any discipline from a recognised university/institution, with a minimum aggregate of 50%.
Entrance Exams: Most MBA colleges in Karnataka accept scores from national and state-level entrance exams such as Karnataka PGCET, KMAT, CAT, MAT, and XAT. Candidates must meet the minimum cutoff score specified by the respective institutions.
Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka: Exam Schedule 2025
Admissions to top MBA colleges in Karnataka are primarily based on entrance exams. Some of the most widely accepted exams include:
Karnataka PGCET (Post Graduate Common Entrance Test):
Conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Karnataka PGCET is the gateway for admission into MBA, MCA, M.E., M.Tech., and M.Arch. programs in the state.
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered within 150 minutes.
Organised by the Karnataka Post Graduate Private Colleges’ Association (KPPGCA), KMAT is a key exam for admission to MBA, PGDM, and MCA programs.
CAT (Common Admission Test):
CAT is a national-level entrance exam for MBA admissions in 20 IIMs and over 1,200 business schools across India.
The exam is divided into three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Preparation for CAT involves completing the syllabus in phases, practicing mock tests, and thorough revision.
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka
The best MBA colleges in Karnataka accept a variety of entrance exams for admission. The table below lists the major exams along with the number of colleges accepting each and their respective cutoff predictors:
Exam
Number of Colleges
Cutoff Predictor
Karnataka PGCET
397
Karnataka PGCET Predictor
KMAT
218
KMAT Predictor
MAT
110
MAT Predictor
CAT
111
CAT Predictor
CMAT
80
CMAT Predictor
XAT
78
XAT Predictor
Top Private MBA Colleges in Karnataka
The table below highlights some of the leading private MBA colleges in Karnataka, along with details on tuition fees, seat intake, accepted entrance exams, and eligibility criteria:
Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship
INR 13 lakh
Seats: 300 Eligibility: Graduation with 50% aggregate
AIMS Institutes
INR 7 – 9 lakh
Seats: 240 Exams: CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, etc. Eligibility: Graduation with 50% aggregate
Prin. L N Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research
INR 14 lakh
Seats: 270 Exams: CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, etc. Eligibility: Graduation with 50% aggregate
Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka: Fees vs Salary
Return on Investment (ROI) evaluates the financial benefits of pursuing an MBA by comparing the tuition fees paid with the salary received through placements. The table below provides insights into the total tuition fees and annual average packages of top MBA colleges in Karnataka:
College Name
Total Tuition Fee
Annual Average Package
IIM Bangalore
INR 25 lakh
INR 33 LPA
T A Pai Management Institute
INR 16 – 17 lakh
INR 9 – 14 LPA
Christ University
INR 5 – 9 lakh
INR 4 – 9 LPA
Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM)
INR 14 – 17 lakh
INR 8 LPA
NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Bannerghatta
INR 21 lakh
INR 13 LPA
Top MBA Colleges in Karnataka: Average Salary & Recruiters
The table below provides details on the leading MBA colleges in Karnataka, their average placement packages, and the top recruiters hiring from these institutions:
College Name
Annual Average Package
Top Recruiters
IIM Bangalore
INR 33 LPA
Accenture GN, McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, EY, etc.
T A Pai Management Institute
INR 9 – 14 LPA
Dell, Deloitte, Adani, Dabur, Cognizant, etc.
Christ University
INR 4 – 9 LPA
Becton Dickinson, EY GDS, Godrej Properties, etc.
Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM)
INR 8 LPA
Hexaware Technologies, Federal Bank, Classic Legends, etc.
Affordable MBA Colleges in Karnataka
Pursuing an MBA in Karnataka can be cost-effective. Below is a list of top MBA colleges in Karnataka with tuition fees under INR 1 lakh:
