IIM Ahmedabad vs IIM Mumbai – Which Is Better in 2026?

IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) and IIM Mumbai (earlier NITIE) are two of India’s most prestigious management institutes. With NITIE officially upgraded to IIM Mumbai, students are now comparing these two institutes more than ever.

This blog compares IIM Ahmedabad vs IIM Mumbai across fees, placements, ranking, campus life, specialization focus, and ROI to help you make the right decision for 2026 admissions.

Highlights – IIM Ahmedabad vs IIM Mumbai

Point	IIM Ahmedabad	IIM Mumbai
Established	1961	1963 (Upgraded to IIM in 2023)
Flagship Program	PGP (MBA)	MBA & MBA (Operations & Supply Chain)
Entrance Exam	CAT	CAT
Fees	~₹24–27 lakh	~₹14–18 lakh
Avg. Package	₹35+ LPA	₹25–28 LPA
Highest Package	₹1 Crore+ (International)	₹70+ LPA
Ranking	Top 1–2 in India	Among top 10–15
Campus Size	100 acres	67 acres

Overview of Both Institutes

IIM Ahmedabad

IIM Ahmedabad is India’s No. 1 management institute, known worldwide for academic excellence, case-study learning, top corporate connections, and unmatched placements. It consistently ranks among the top 40 business schools globally.

IIM Mumbai

IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE) has built a strong reputation in supply chain, operations, analytics, sustainability, and manufacturing management. After becoming an IIM, it is rapidly rising in national rankings and gaining stronger B-school recognition.

Admission Process

Both colleges accept CAT scores, but the cutoffs vary.

Parameter	IIM Ahmedabad	IIM Mumbai
Entrance Exam	CAT	CAT
Expected Overall Percentile	99–100	97–98
Selection Method	CAT + AWT + PI	CAT + PI
Profile Weightage	Very High	Moderate–High

IIM Ahmedabad considers academics, work experience, and diversity more strongly.

Fees Comparison

College	Total Fees (Approx.)
IIM Ahmedabad	₹24–27 lakh
IIM Mumbai	₹14–18 lakh

IIM Mumbai offers significantly lower fees, making it highly attractive for students looking for strong ROI.

Placement Comparison

Parameter	IIM Ahmedabad	IIM Mumbai
Average Package	₹35–36 LPA	₹25–28 LPA
Highest Package	₹1 Crore+	₹70+ LPA
Median Salary	₹32 LPA	₹23–24 LPA
Top Sectors	Consulting, Finance, Product, Strategy	Supply Chain, Analytics, Consulting, Operations

Placement Insight

• IIM Ahmedabad leads with top consulting roles, PE/VC jobs, and global opportunities.

• IIM Mumbai excels in operations, analytics, supply chain, and sustainability roles.

Specialization Focus

Specialization	IIM Ahmedabad	IIM Mumbai
Marketing	Strong	Moderate
Finance	Very Strong	Good
Strategy & Consulting	Very Strong	Good
Operations	Strong	Very Strong
Supply Chain	Good	Excellent
Analytics	Strong	Very Strong
Sustainability	Moderate	Strong

IIM Mumbai is India’s No. 1 institute for operations & supply chain. IIM Ahmedabad excels in consulting, finance, strategy, and general management.

Ranking Comparison

Ranking Parameter	IIM Ahmedabad	IIM Mumbai
NIRF Ranking (Management)	Rank 1	Rank 7–9 range
Global Recognition	Very High	Growing rapidly
Alumni Network	Massive	Strong in supply chain & operations

IIM Ahmedabad holds the strongest brand value nationally and internationally.

Campus Life Comparison

IIM Ahmedabad

• Large heritage campus

• Experienced faculty

• Strong academic culture

• High competition

• Rich alumni network

IIM Mumbai

• Beautiful green campus in Powai

• Industry connections due to Mumbai location

• Strong corporate projects and executive interactions

• Collaborative learning environment

ROI Comparison

ROI depends on the balance between fees and salaries.

College	Avg. Package	Fees	ROI
IIM Ahmedabad	₹35+ LPA	₹24–27 L	Excellent
IIM Mumbai	₹25+ LPA	₹14–18 L	Outstandig

IIM Mumbai has one of the best ROIs among all IIMs due to lower fees.

IIM Ahmedabad vs IIM Mumbai – Which Should You Choose?

Choose IIM Ahmedabad if you want:

• Consulting, finance, strategy roles

• Global corporate exposure

• India’s top B-school brand

• Maximum alumni network strength

• Case-method learning

Choose IIM Mumbai if you want:

• Supply chain or operations careers

• Analytics and digital transformation roles

• High ROI with lower fees

• Mumbai industry access

• Fast-growing IIM with rising recognition

Both institutes are excellent choices — the right one depends on career goals, specialization, and financial preference.

FAQs

1. Is IIM Mumbai as good as IIM Ahmedabad?

 Not yet in overall ranking, but excellent for operations, analytics, and ROI.

2. Which has better placements? 

IIM Ahmedabad leads with higher average and global consulting offers.

3. Which is more affordable?

IIM Mumbai has much lower fees and strong ROI.

4. Which gives global opportunities? 

IIM Ahmedabad offers stronger international roles.

5. Which should an operations/analytics student choose? 

IIM Mumbai is the better choice.

Conclusion

IIM Ahmedabad is India’s top business school with unmatched placements and global recognition. IIM Mumbai, however, is a fast-growing IIM offering excellent ROI and specialization strengths in operations and analytics.

Your choice should depend on career aspirations, financial considerations, and preferred specialization.

Both institutes guarantee exceptional career growth in 2026 and beyond.