Not chasing brand names blindly anymore. Trying to understand if IFMR actually delivers on learning or if it’s just another “finance-tag” college riding past glory.
As a student currently pursuing my MBA in IFMR GSB, i can say that the institute is definitely doing well. It has a legacy in Finance for over 50 years and would align with your interests in Finance as well. Previous year’s placement records indicate that 60 percent of the roles offered are in the BFSI sector.
As a current student of IFMR GSB (MBA Program) planning to specialize in finance, I can say IFMR is definitely more than just a finance tag. The learning is very hands-on with a strong focus on cases, live projects, and plenty of opportunities to participate in case competitions. The faculty brings in solid industry experience, which really helps connect concepts to the real world. And the placement report reflects this too, with a good number of finance companies consistently coming to campus.
Yes, IFMR Krea University is strict about the 6/6/6 criteria. If any of 10th, 12th, or UG is below 60%, the application is generally auto-rejected. A 59.8% in 12th, even after rounding, usually does not meet the cutoff, so chances are extremely low.
For a safe call from IFMR, this year IFMR Krea University is accepting CAT scores above 80 percentile. Generally, being above 80 gives a realistic chance, while higher percentiles improve interview shortlisting odds.
Honestly, the finance tag at IFMR Krea University is very much intact. IFMR has a strong legacy in finance and is still widely known as one of the top B-schools in India for finance, so the tag is definitely not fading away. That said, being finance-centric doesn’t mean it’s restricted to finance only. Over the years, IFMR has evolved into a more balanced MBA where students are free to explore and choose domains like marketing, operations, HR, or analytics based on their interests. So you still get the strong finance brand value, but with enough flexibility to shape your own career path rather than being boxed into just one domain.
I get why you’re confused — this happens with IFMR more than with most colleges. Let me be very straight with you. IFMR Krea University realistically sits around Tier 2.5, not Tier 1 and not a weak Tier 3 either. Reddit often judges colleges purely by brand visibility or average packages, which is why the tone there feels harsh. On LinkedIn, you’re hearing from people who’ve actually studied there or placed from there, so the feedback is more grounded.
One genuinely positive thing about IFMR — and this matters — is that it does not inflate placement numbers to attract students. The placement reports are conservative and fairly accurate, unlike many B-schools that show exaggerated CTCs or 100% placement claims. Outcomes depend a lot on your profile, domain choice, and how much effort you put in, but the college itself is honest about what it delivers. So the truth lies somewhere in between Reddit pessimism and LinkedIn optimism, not at either extreme
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I’ve attached the application link here.
Anyone else feel campus location anxiety is overhyped? IFMR being in Sri City feels scary on paper, but seniors say you actually focus more. Conflicted.
This concern is pretty common, mostly because the location feels intimidating on paper. In reality, being away from the city often helps students focus better. With fewer distractions, more time goes into academics, group work, and campus activities. Since everyone stays on campus, peer bonding and engagement become stronger, and attention isn’t constantly pulled by city life. Over time, many students see this as an advantage rather than a drawback.
Although the majority of the batch are freshers, the average work experience is around 19.2 months, so 2.5 years of work-ex is quite normal. IFMR values prior experience in academics and placements, so you won’t be at a disadvantage.
Placement reports can be exhausting, but at IFMR the numbers are quite real. The latest report shows a median CTC of 11.5 LPA and a mean of 12.04 LPA, which aligns well with what actually happens on campus. Freshers get roles across finance, BFSI, consulting and analytics. Overall, the placement committee and corporate relations and career services team at college ensures that the numbers are transparent & realistic, not just “100% placement” headlines.