The Common Admission Test (CAT) is often synonymous with the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), but its scope extends far beyond. While the IIMs are among India’s most prestigious management institutes, many top MBA Colleges accept CAT nationwide for their MBA admissions. These institutions offer world-class education, strong industry connections, and excellent placement records, making them viable alternatives for aspiring management professionals.
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Many of India’s leading business schools outside the IIM network accept CAT scores, offering various programs catering to different interests and career goals. Some of the most prominent non-IIM institutions include: For many students, the appeal of non-IIM colleges lies in their unique offerings, affordable fees, and specialized programs. These schools often have strong regional reputations, diverse student bodies, and close ties to industries, providing ample opportunities for internships and placements. Non-IIM colleges also offer niche specializations, such as operations management, rural development, or entrepreneurship, which can cater to specific career paths.Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
Advantages of Non-IIM Colleges

Looking for the best IIMs to target after CAT? Here’s a quick comparison of the older and most reputed IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore — including their course fees, average placements, and overall ROI. This list will help you make an informed choice before applying.
| IIM Name | Full Name | Approx. Fees (2-Year PGP) | Average Placement Package (LPA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | ₹24.61 Lakh | ₹35.5 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore | ₹24.7 Lakh | ₹33.5 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | ₹31 Lakh | ₹34.5 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow | ₹23.5 Lakh | ₹32.3 LPA |
| IIM Kozhikode | Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode | ₹23 Lakh | ₹28.05 LPA |
| IIM Indore | Indian Institute of Management Indore | ₹21.17 Lakh | ₹25.6 LPA |
| IIM Shillong | Indian Institute of Management Shillong | ₹20 Lakh | ₹15 LPA |
| IIM Rohtak | Indian Institute of Management Rohtak | ₹16.5 Lakh | ₹16.5 LPA |
| IIM Ranchi | Indian Institute of Management Ranchi | ₹18.5 Lakh | ₹19.29 LPA |
| IIM Raipur | Indian Institute of Management Raipur | ₹16.5 Lakh | ₹18.5 LPA |
| IIM Trichy | Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli | ₹16.5 Lakh | ₹20 LPA |
| IIM Udaipur | Indian Institute of Management Udaipur | ₹16.5 Lakh | ₹18.5 LPA |
| IIM Kashipur | Indian Institute of Management Kashipur | ₹15.5 Lakh | ₹18 LPA |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya | ₹15 Lakh | ₹15 LPA |
| IIM Amritsar | Indian Institute of Management Amritsar | ₹15 Lakh | ₹15 LPA |
| IIM Nagpur | Indian Institute of Management Nagpur | ₹15 Lakh | ₹15 LPA |
| IIM Sirmaur | Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur | ₹15 Lakh | ₹15 LPA |
| IIM Jammu | Indian Institute of Management Jammu | ₹15 Lakh | ₹15 LPA |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam | ₹15 Lakh | ₹15 LPA |
If your CAT percentile is between 90-99, there are several good non-IIM MBA/PGDM colleges you can target. The exact cutoffs vary each year, and admissions also depend on profile, work experience, academics, etc. Below is a list of prominent non-IIM colleges that typically accept CAT in that percentile range (or slightly lower), along with indicative fees / placements / other details.
| College / Institute | Ideal CAT Percentile Range | Approx. Fees (2 Years) | Average / Median Placement | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies) | 98–99 | ₹2–3 Lakhs | ₹30–35 LPA | Best ROI in India due to very low fees |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 92–95 (Profile-based calls possible lower) | ₹22–23 Lakhs | ₹30–33 LPA | Strong industry connections, excellent placements |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95–97 | ₹24–25 Lakhs | ₹25–28 LPA | Among the most preferred after IIMs |
| IIFT Delhi | 93–95 | ₹21–22 Lakhs | ₹25–30 LPA | Best for International Business & Trade roles |
| IIT Delhi (DMS) | 97–99 | ₹12–14 Lakhs | ₹22–26 LPA | Excellent peer group and IIT brand value |
| IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) | 97–98 | ₹14–15 Lakhs | ₹25–28 LPA | Strong in Tech + Consulting roles |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 90–94 | ₹20–21 Lakhs | ₹18–20 LPA | Popular in Eastern India |
| GIM Goa (Goa Institute of Management) | 90–94 | ₹20–21 Lakhs | ₹15–18 LPA | Good academics and campus life |
| K. J. Somaiya, Mumbai | 90–92 | ₹12–18 Lakhs (varies by program) | ₹12–15 LPA | Rising rapidly in rankings |
| IMI Delhi | 90–92 | ₹20–22 Lakhs | ₹14–17 LPA | Good corporate exposure in NCR region |
| Great Lakes Chennai / Gurgaon | 90–92 | ₹17–20 Lakhs | ₹14–16 LPA | Known for 1-year PGPM also |
| LBSIM Delhi | 88–90 | ₹16–17 Lakhs | ₹10–12 LPA | Decent fallback option |
Scored between 80 and 90 percentile in CAT 2025? While this range may not guarantee admission to top-tier IIMs, numerous reputable MBA colleges across India accept these scores and offer quality education, industry exposure, and promising placements. Here’s a curated list to guide your decision-making process.
| College / Institute | Fees (₹ Lakhs) | Average Placement (LPA) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICA Ahmedabad | ₹26.00 | ₹20.00–21.00 | Specializes in Strategic Marketing & Communications |
| FORE School of Management, New Delhi | ₹18.27 | ₹16.01 | Strong industry connections, located in Delhi NCR |
| TAPMI Manipal | ₹20.80 | ₹15.10 | Known for its PGPM program, excellent ROI |
| Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Goa | ₹20.15 | ₹14.81 | Strong alumni network, focus on HR & Operations |
| IRMA Anand | ₹11.80 | ₹10.00 | Focus on rural management and development |
| IMT Ghaziabad | ₹20.00 | ₹14.00 | Well-established brand, diverse specializations |
| K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | ₹22.32 | ₹12.79 | Diverse specializations, strong industry ties |
| Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Trichy | ₹16.50 | ₹10.00 | Focus on rural and development sector management |
| International Management Institute (IMI), Delhi | ₹22.00 | ₹14.00 | Strong networking in Delhi NCR region |
| Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), New Delhi | ₹16.50 | ₹12.00 | Affordable fees, located in Delhi NCR |
Scored between 70 and 80 percentile in CAT 2025? While this range may not guarantee admission to top-tier IIMs, several reputable MBA colleges across India accept these scores and offer quality education, industry exposure, and promising placements. Here’s a curated list to guide your decision-making process.
| College / Institute | Fees (₹ Lakhs) | Average Placement (LPA) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDI Murshidabad | ₹11.69 | ₹11.76 | Affiliated with MDI Gurgaon, strong industry connections |
| BIMTECH Greater Noida | ₹14.00 | ₹11.10 | Known for its PGDM programs, excellent ROI |
| IFMR GSB, KREA University | ₹15.00 | ₹13.06 | Focus on finance and analytics, strong corporate links |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon | ₹15.75 | ₹11.70 | Offers PGDM and PGPM programs, good placement record |
| Woxsen University, Hyderabad | ₹14.40 | ₹9.09 | Emerging B-school with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship |
| JAGSOM Bangalore | ₹14.90 | ₹10.58 | Formerly known as JAGSoM, offers PGDM and PGPM programs |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida | ₹15.75 | ₹11.29 | Offers PGDM programs with specializations in marketing, finance, and HR |
| XIME Bangalore | ₹12.50 | ₹10.75 | Focus on international business and management |
| CIMP Patna | ₹7.65 | ₹7.00 | Affordable fees, strong regional presence |
| Rajagiri Business School, Kochi | ₹7.50 | ₹8.00 | Known for its PGDM programs, good placement record |
| IMI Kolkata | ₹9.90 | ₹12.48 | Offers PGDM programs with specializations in marketing, finance, and HR |
| IMI Bhuneshwar | ₹12.99 | ₹12.02 | Offers PGDM programs with specializations in marketing, finance, and HR |
| Indus Business Academy, Bangalore | ₹10.32 | ₹7.96 | Affordable fees, strong industry connections |
Scored 60–70 percentile in CAT 2025? Don’t worry — you still have access to reputed MBA and PGDM colleges that offer good placements, reasonable fees, and strong industry exposure. These institutes may not be in the IIM league, but they provide solid ROI and career growth opportunities across Marketing, Finance, HR, and Analytics.
| College / Institute | Fees (₹ Lakhs) | Average Placement (LPA) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad | 17.01 | 9.71 | Strong alumni network and placement reach |
| SDMIMD, Mysuru | 12.7 | 10 | AICTE-approved, consistent ROI |
| FLAME University, Pune | 14.4 | 11 | Liberal arts + management blend |
| Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore | 14 | 10.36 | Known for innovation-focused programs |
| NIA Pune (National Insurance Academy) | 11 | 12.3 | Best suited for insurance & BFSI roles |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow | 14.75 | 11.29 | Well-placed in North India |
| PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore | 7.6 | 8.89 | Budget-friendly with steady placements |
| NDIM, New Delhi | 12.75 | 9.5 | Located in corporate hub |
| FIIB, New Delhi | 11.55 | 8.5 | Good for freshers & career switchers |
| JIMS Rohini, Delhi | 9.9 | 9.92 | Consistent performer in NCR |
| IPE Hyderabad (Institute of Public Enterprise) | 8.15 | 7.02 | Suitable for PSU and consulting roles |
| Rajagiri Business School, Kochi | 7.5 | 8 | Strong Southern region presence |
If you scored between 50–60 percentile in CAT, don’t lose hope! There are several reputed private universities and emerging B-schools that offer AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM programs with good placement support. These colleges focus on personality development, industry exposure, and corporate internships — making them ideal for freshers or career switchers.
| College / Institute | Fees (₹ Lakhs) | Average Placement (LPA) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOSTIIMA Business School, Delhi | 10.95 | 10.5 | Strong alumni network from IIMs |
| ISBR Business School, Bangalore | 9 | 7.5 | Located in Bengaluru tech hub |
| JIMS Rohini, Delhi | 9.9 | 9 | Consistent placements in marketing & finance |
| FIIB, New Delhi | 11.5 | 8 | Good for analytics and HR roles |
| IPE Hyderabad | 8.15 | 7 | Suitable for PSU & consulting placements |
| Rajagiri Business School, Kochi | 7.5 | 8 | High Southern India corporate connect |
| IMS Ghaziabad | 7.95 | 7.5 | Good ROI with stable campus hiring |
| SCMS Cochin School of Business | 8 | 6.5 | Known for marketing & operations |
| VIT Business School, Vellore | 7 | 6.5 | Strong brand name and campus life |
| Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore | 8 | 6 | Good for entry-level corporate roles |
| Jaipuria Institute (Noida/Lucknow) | 14.75 | 11 | Accepts profiles with lower CAT via GDPI |
| NDIM, Delhi | 12.75 | 9 | Well-connected with Delhi-based recruiters |
Didn’t score high in CAT? Don’t worry! Many reputed B-schools and private universities in India accept CAT scores below 50 percentile and still provide excellent placement opportunities. These colleges focus on practical skills, industry exposure, and internships, making them ideal for freshers and career switchers.
| College / Institute | Fees (₹ Lakhs) |
|---|---|
| Amity Global Business School, Noida | 9.5 |
| Asian School of Business, Gurgaon | 8.9 |
| Apeejay School of Management, Delhi | 7.5 |
| Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad (PGDM Flexi) | 10.5 |
| GIBS Business School, Bangalore | 7.8 |
| Alliance University, Bangalore | 12 |
| IFIM Business School, Bangalore | 10.25 |
| Christ University, Bangalore | 8.5 |
| Shree Devi Institute of Management, Mangalore | 6.8 |
| SCMHRD (Special programs for low percentile candidates) | 11.5 |
| KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar | 8.75 |
| GL Bajaj Institute of Management, Greater Noida | 6.5 |
| Manipal University, School of Management | 12 |
| PES University, Bangalore | 10.5 |
| ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad (PGPM / Executive) | 12 |
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