Kerala MBA Colleges 2026: College-Wise Fees, Placement Packages & Exam Details

Kerala MBA Colleges 2026 – Compare college-wise fees, average placement packages and accepted entrance exams at a glance.

If you’re researching Kerala MBA Colleges 2026, this guide gives a compact but comprehensive view of the most searched and highest-impact programs in the state: tuition and total fees, recent placement highlights, accepted entrance exams, typical cut-offs, and a practical comparison to help you choose. Wherever possible I cite official or high-quality public reports so you can verify figures quickly.

1. How to choose — three practical ROI filters

Before college-wise details, use these filters to rank your options:

1. ROI (Placement average ÷ Total fee) — A mid-tier college with strong average packages and moderate fees can beat an expensive program if placement outcomes are comparable. (Example: CUSAT SMS often shows strong ROI metrics because of low fees and decent average packages.)

2. Domain fit (specialisation strength) — Some Kerala programs are stronger in Finance (IIMK, certain NIT programs), others in Consulting/General Mgmt or Family Business / MSME links (select private colleges). Match faculty, electives and recruiter lists to your target sector.

3. Geography & campus network — Kochi has larger corporate presence and more frequent campus drives; Kozhikode/IIMK gives access to national recruiters. Consider internship pipelines (summer placements matter).

2. College-wise breakdown (detailed)

1. Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K)

Program(s): PGP (2-year flagship), PGP-BL, Executive programmes.Fees (PGP 2-yr): ₹23.5 L (Program fee for 2025–27 batch reported on IIMK site). Placement highlights: IIM Kozhikode reports top packages and strong average packages; recent batch average/median figures place IIMK among India’s top B-schools with high consulting and finance recruiter representation. (Reported highest packages and averages vary by year—verify current placement report for exact figures.) Entrance exams: CAT (primary), plus institute rounds (PI/WAT/assessment).Why consider: National-level recruiter access—strong ROI for students targeting consulting, product or high-end finance roles.Admissions tip: Aim 98+ percentile CAT for comfortable admission chances to flagship PGP; check specific category cut-offs and PGP variants.

2. Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies / Rajagiri Business School (RCBS / RBS), Kochi

Program(s): MBA / PGDM, IMBA and specialised programs.Fees: Private college tuition — total fee significantly lower than IIMK; ranges vary by program and seat type. Check college brochure for exact current totals. Placement highlights: Median/average package for recent placement cycles reported in ₹6–9 LPA range; strong recruiter list including banks, FMCG, consulting, and IT services. Rajagiri also features in national college rankings (NIRF / other lists). Entrance exams: CAT / CMAT / KMAT accepted (check program).Why consider: Strong campus ecosystem in Kochi, balanced fees vs placements, consistent recruiter presence.

3. SCMS Cochin School of Business, Kochi

Program(s): PGDM (AICTE approved), MBA variants.Fees: Mid-range private B-school. Published placement report and audited statements available on the college website. Placement highlights: Placement report (2024–25) shows average packages around ₹7–8 LPA and highest offers in mid-teens (~₹15–16 LPA) for top performers. Recruiters span BFSI, IT, consulting, and manufacturing. Entrance exams: CAT / CMAT / MAT typically accepted.Why consider: Strong local recruiter network and steady placement performance; good choice for Kochi-area candidates.

4. Amrita School of Business — Kochi / Other campuses

Program(s): MBA (Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham), specialisations including Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing.Fees: Example published fee structure shows I-year tuition around ₹3.04 L for some categories; total tuition depends on campus and category (scholarships available). Placement highlights: Average packages often in the ₹7–9 LPA band; Amrita attracts recruiters from technology, consulting, and industry. Entrance exams: CAT / MAT / CMAT / institute tests as applicable.Why consider: Strong brand, multi-campus presence, research and collaboration opportunities.

5. TKM Institute of Management (TKM IM), Kollam

Program(s): MBA, specializations in core management disciplines.Fees: Reported total fees in the ₹4.7–5.7 L range for full program depending on source and batch. Placement highlights: Average packages ~₹4–5 L with highest offers reported up to ₹20 L in some cycles; recruiter mix includes major corporates and local employers. Entrance exams: KMAT / CMAT / MAT / college selection processes.Why consider: Affordable fees with steady local placement; good for students prioritising costs and regional placements.

1. Other notable Kerala MBA programs to consider

• NIT Calicut (School of Management Studies) — strong technical + management mix; good placement averages for engineering-to-management pipelines.

• XIME Kochi — private B-school with programs and typical placement averages in high single digits (LPA).

• CUSAT School of Management Studies (SMS), Kochi — government-aided and often strong ROI due to lower fees.

3. Exams accepted across Kerala MBA Colleges (what to prepare)

Most Kerala MBA colleges accept one or more of the following tests:

• CAT (Common Admission Test) — required for IIMK and prime entry to many top colleges.

• CMAT (AICTE-based) — widely accepted by private and government colleges in Kerala.

• KMAT (Kerala Management Aptitude Test) — state exam used by several Kerala institutions.

• MAT / XAT / NMAT — accepted by a subset of private schools; check each college’s admission page.

• Institute / GD & PI — final rounds typically include group discussions, personal interviews, case assessments.

Tip: If you aim for IIMK, prioritise a top CAT percentile; for strong private Kerala schools, a combination of CMAT/KMAT plus a strong profile (internships, projects) works well.

4. Admissions & scholarship practical checklist (2026 cycle)

1. Register early for CAT/CMAT/KMAT and note institute deadlines.

2. Prepare SOP and CV that highlight internships, leadership, projects and measurable results.

3. Shortlist colleges by ROI: compute expected salary ÷ total fee and compare. (Some mid-tier schools offer excellent ROI.)

4. Apply for scholarships — many colleges (Amrita, Rajagiri) publish need-/merit-based scholarship options.

5. Attend open houses / webinars: recruiter lists and current student panels reveal the real placement picture.

5. FAQ — Kerala MBA Colleges 2026

Q: What are the best Kerala MBA Colleges 2026 for placement and ROI?

A: For national-level placement reach and top packages, IIM Kozhikode leads in Kerala (flagship PGP). For best ROI (moderate fees + steady average packages), colleges such as Rajagiri, SCMS, Amrita, CUSAT SMS and TKM often rank highly depending on your target sector and cost constraints. Check the latest college placement reports for year-on-year changes.

Q: Which entrance exam should I prioritise if I want to join a top Kochi-area B-school?

A: Most Kochi colleges take CAT, CMAT and KMAT. If your primary target is IIMK, prioritise CAT. For Rajagiri, SCMS and Amrita, a strong CMAT/KMAT/MAT score plus interview performance is sufficient.

Q: Are Kerala MBA fees affordable compared with national averages?

A: Kerala has a wide fee spectrum: government/aided programs (CUSAT SMS, NIT Calicut) are low; private colleges (Rajagiri, SCMS, Amrita) are mid-range; IIM Kozhikode is at the top end (≈₹23–24 L for the two-year PGP). Evaluate fees against expected average packages to calculate ROI.