IIM Lucknow – Detailed MBA Review 2026: Fees, Cutoff, Placements, ROI & Campus Life

Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow or IIM-L) is one of India’s top-tier management institutes and a core member of the old IIM group. Known for its balanced academics, strong placements, and leadership-focused culture, IIM Lucknow consistently ranks just below IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta.

For students planning an MBA in 2026, this blog provides a complete review of IIM Lucknow, covering admission process, CAT cutoff, fees, placements, ROI, academic environment, campus life, and who should choose IIM-L.

About IIM Lucknow

• Established: 1984

• Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

• Campus: 185+ acres, fully residential

• Reputation: Among the top 5–6 MBA colleges in India

IIM Lucknow is widely respected for producing well-rounded managers rather than role-specific specialists, making it a strong choice for general management, consulting, and leadership roles.

Programs Offered at IIM Lucknow

Program	Duration
MBA (PGP)	2 Years
MBA-ABM	2 Years
MBA-SM	2 Years
Executive MBA (IPMX)	1 Year
PhD	Full-time

The MBA (PGP) is the flagship and most competitive program.

IIM Lucknow Admission Process 2026

Entrance Exam

• CAT (Common Admission Test)

🔗 CAT Official Website: https://iimcat.ac.in

Expected CAT Cutoff (General Category)

Parameter	Expected Requirement
Overall CAT Percentile	99+
Sectional Cutoffs	High (balanced across sections)

⚠️ IIM Lucknow is known for strict sectional cutoffs, so balanced performance is essential.

Shortlisting Criteria

Shortlisting is based on:

• CAT score (overall + sectionals)

• Academic record (10th, 12th, graduation)

• Work experience

• Academic & gender diversity

Final Selection Stages

• Written Ability Test (WAT)

• Personal Interview (PI)

The interview focuses on:

• Conceptual clarity

• Current affairs & business awareness

• Academics & work experience

• Leadership potential

Fees at IIM Lucknow (MBA 2026)

Component	Amount
Total Program Fees	₹21–23 lakh (approx.)
Hostel & Mess	Included
Scholarships	Need-based & merit-based

Fees are lower than IIM A/B/C but higher than newer IIMs.

Academic Environment & Teaching Style

IIM Lucknow is known for:

• Balanced academic rigor

• Case-based learning combined with theory

• Strong focus on leadership & decision-making

Teaching Style

• Case discussions

• Group projects

• Simulations & presentations

Ideal for students who want structured learning without extreme academic pressure.

Campus Life & Environment

Campus Setting

• Large, green, and fully residential campus

• Calm academic environment

• Strong student community

Student Life

• Active clubs for consulting, finance, marketing, HR

• National-level management festivals

• Inter-IIM competitions

Compared to Bangalore or Mumbai, the campus is less industry-centric daily, but this does not affect placements.

Placements at IIM Lucknow (2025–26 Expected)

IIM Lucknow maintains excellent and consistent placement performance.

Placement Metric	Figures
Average Package	₹28–30 LPA
Median Salary	₹27+ LPA
Highest Package	₹65+ LPA
Placement Rate	~100%

Top Recruiters

• McKinsey, BCG, Bain

• Deloitte, EY, Accenture Strategy

• Amazon, Microsoft, Flipkart

• HUL, ITC, Tata Group

Popular Roles

• Consulting & Strategy

• General Management

• Marketing & Sales Leadership

• Finance & Analytics

ROI (Return on Investment) – Is IIM Lucknow Worth It?

ROI = Average Package ÷ Total Fees

Metric	Value
Average Salary	₹29 LPA
Fees	₹22 L
Approx ROI	~1.3

ROI Insight

• ROI is strong and stable

• Not the highest (FMS/DMS IIT Delhi beat it)

• Long-term growth & brand value compensate well

IIM Lucknow vs Other Top IIMs (Quick View)

Institute	Known For
IIM Ahmedabad	Leadership & academic rigor
IIM Bangalore	Consulting, tech & startups
IIM Calcutta	Finance & analytics
IIM Lucknow	Balanced general management

Who Should Choose IIM Lucknow?

IIM Lucknow is ideal for students who:

• Want a top-tier IIM brand

• Prefer balanced academics over extreme pressure

• Aim for consulting or leadership roles

• Value structured campus life

Pros & Cons of IIM Lucknow

Pros

• Strong placements & recruiters

• Balanced academic culture

• Excellent peer learning

• Good brand recognition globally

Cons

• Less city exposure than IIM Bangalore

• Fees still high for ROI-focused students

Official Links – IIM Lucknow

📥 Official Websitehttps://www.iiml.ac.in

📊 MBA Admission Detailshttps://www.iiml.ac.in/academic-programmes/mba

📚 Placements & Career Reportshttps://www.iiml.ac.in/placements

Final Verdict

IIM Lucknow remains one of the most reliable and respected MBA colleges in India for 2026. It may not specialize as sharply as IIM Calcutta or be as tech-centric as IIM Bangalore, but it excels in producing well-rounded, industry-ready leaders.

If you want a top IIM brand with balanced academics and strong placements, IIM Lucknow is a very safe and smart choice.