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Top MBA Colleges in Kerala 25-2026 - Fees, Admissions, Placements

Kerala state, popularly known for its literacy rate, has established many management institutes that offer quality education and overall academic experience. Kerala has around 170+ MBA Colleges in Kerala. It includes all types of colleges, like public, autonomous and private institutions. IIM Kozhikode, Kochi Business School, NIT Calicut, SSTM Kochi, SIM Kottayam, XIME Kochi, etc. are some of the popular institutes in Kerala. Most of these MBA institutes are AICTE-approved and NAAC-graded..... Read More

Kerala state, popularly known for its literacy rate, has established many management institutes that offer quality education and overall academic experience. Kerala has around 170+ MBA Colleges in Kerala. It includes all types of colleges, like public, autonomous and private institutions. IIM Kozhikode, Kochi Business School, NIT Calicut, SSTM Kochi, SIM Kottayam, XIME Kochi, etc. are some of the popular institutes in Kerala.

Most of these MBA institutes are AICTE-approved and NAAC-graded. Some are even ranked by NIRF and other top-ranking agencies, proving the excellence of these institutes in Kerala. Some institutes have the best of the best infrastructure, faculty members, placements, and industry exposure that promise a holistic academic experience. The article will help the candidates in choosing the institute in Kerala and discuss the top MBA Colleges in Kerala, their ranking, fee structure, placements, ROI, specializations, entrance exams, and more.

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Top 10 MBA Colleges in Kerala 2026

Kerala state offers several reputed MBA colleges. All of these MBA colleges are known to offer quality education with excellent infrastructure and strong industry connections. The top MBA colleges in Kerala 2026 provide an MBA program with different specializations such as Human Resource Management, Finance, Marketing, and Operations. All these factors enable the candidates to provide holistic professional development. Government and private MBA universities in Kerala, offers MBA degree with affordable fees and impressive placement records. Institutes with the right blend of academics and industry exposure, stands out in the state. Below is the list of the MBA Colleges in Kerala based on their overall academic performance, along with top 10 MBA colleges in Kerala with fees:

College Name Fees Structure
IIM Kozhikode 23.5 lakhs
NIT Calicut 4.3 lakhs
XIME Kochi 9.9 lakhs
SIM Kottayam 3.6 lakhs
KBS Kochi 3.7 lakhs
SCMS Cochin School of Business 7.96 lakhs
RBS Kochi 7.87 lakhs
Rajagiri Centre Business School 1.84 lakhs
SSTM Kochi 7.1 lakhs
LEAD College of Management 8 lakhs

NIRF-Ranked MBA Colleges in Kerala 2026

Choosing MBA Colleges with NIRF ranking assures candidates of their reputation and the quality of education. NIRF ranks MBA institute based on various factors such as academic syllabus, infrastructure, faculty quality, placement records, and more.
Some of the Top MBA colleges in Kerala with NIRF rankings include IIM Kozhikode, which holds the 3rd position among the NIRF top colleges in India. NIT Calicut has secured the 85th position, and RBS Kochi has earned the 91st position in India.

College Name

NIRF Rank

IIM Kozhikode

3

RBS Kochi

91

NIT Calicut

85

Government MBA Colleges in Kerala 2026

Kerala has around 33 government-aided MBA colleges. IIM Kozhikode, NIT Calicut, and BIMS Kottayam are amongst them, the top 3 MBA colleges. Government colleges are well recognized for their academic excellence, experienced faculty, and strong industry connections. Even with modern infrastructure, good placement opportunities the fees’ structure will be affordable, thus making the Kerala MBA government institutions provide excellent value for money. Most of the colleges accept KMAT Kerala scores, and alternatively, they also accept CAT, CMAT, and MAT scores for admissions. Overall, Kerala’s government MBA colleges are ideal for aspirants seeking a balance of quality education, career growth, and affordability in a good academic environment. Candidates can check the table below with the top MBA government colleges in Kerala with fees structure:

College Name

Fees Structure

IIM Kozhikode

23.5 lakhs

NIT Calicut

4.3 lakhs

BIMS Kottayam

2.9 lakhs

CUSAT Kochi

1.39 lakhs

CET Trivandrum

1.82 lakhs

MGU Kottayam

1.84 lakhs

Calicut University

2.5 lakhs

KUFOS Kochi

3 lakhs

Private MBA Colleges in Kerala 2026

The Private MBA Colleges in Kerala, such as RCBS-Rajagiri Business School, SCMS Cochin School of Business, LEAD College of Management, SSTM Kochi, KBS Kochi etc. are among the top choices for MBA aspirants. Best private MBA colleges in Kerala majorly offer industry-driven academics, experienced faculty members, and establish more of experiential learning through internships, projects, and corporate tie-ups. Few of the institutes collaborate with international universities and offer excellent placement opportunities in different sectors. With all of this holistic development, private MBA colleges in Kerala ensure that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical business skills to excel in their careers.

Below are the list of some popular institutes, candidates can choose the right private MBA College in Kerala based on their convenience and suitability.  

College Name

Fees Structure

RBS Kochi

7.87 lakhs

KBS Kochi

3.7 lakhs

SSTM Kochi

7.1 lakhs

Rajagiri Centre Business School

1.84 lakhs

SCMS Cochin School of Business

7.96 lakhs

SIM Kottayam

3.6 lakhs

DCSMAT Vagamon, Idukki

4.03 lakhs

Nehru School of Management, Thrissur

3.08 lakhs

Top MBA Colleges with Lowest Fees in Kerala 2026

Candidates who are looking to pursue an MBA program in a budget have many options. Some of the top MBA colleges in Kerala with low fees include institutions like Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Mahatma Gandhi University, Calicut University, and the Central University of Kerala. Even if the institute offers course with affordable fees, it does not compromise with academic curriculum, faculty members, and placement opportunities. These institutes also accept entrance exams such as CAT, CMAT, or KMAT Kerala, where students from various academic backgrounds can apply. Thus, making MBA colleges in Kerala with low fees worth the value for money.

College Name

Fees Structure

St. Thomas College Ranny Pathanamthitta

5 K

SMC Cherthala

8.3 K

NALSCM Kochi

40 K

ISBM, Kochi

49.9 K

IMK Thiruvananthapuram

50 K to 1 lakh

SHIM Kozhikode

30 K

Mar Ivanios College Thiruvananthapuram

6.6 K

Top Specializations offered by top MBA colleges in Kerala 2026

All of the popular MBA colleges offer various specializations. Students can choose the right discipline based on their interests. More than 80+ colleges offer all of the given specializations. Some of the top 10 most common MBA specializations offered in Kerala are:

  • General Management
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Operations Management
  • Information Technology
  • Tourism Management
  • Business Analytics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Foreign Trade

MBA Admissions in Kerala 2026

To seek admission for the MBA program in Kerala, candidates can appear for various state and national level entrance exams. The most commonly accepted entrance exam is CAT/ MAT/ XAT/ CMAT at the national level and KMAT Kerala at the state level.

  • The basic educational qualification for MBA admissions in Kerala is, the applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree in any stream with at least 50% marks as aggregate from a recognized university.
  • The admission process involves students qualifying through entrance exam scores, GD and PI, and academic performance.
  • Some of the private MBA institutes also conduct their own selection procedures for final shortlisting.
  • Students can also opt for direct admission through management quota. MBA colleges in Kerala without entrance exam are such as Amrita Ahead online, Transglobe School of Logistics, and Aviation Management. This is when they do not want to appear for any entrance exam, or if the scores are less than the given cut-off.

Top MBA Colleges in Kerala accepting CAT 2026

CAT is a national-level entrance exam. CAT scores are accepted for MBA admissions in almost all of the management institutes across the country. CAT is mandatory for aspirants looking for MBA admissions in IIM Kozhikode. However, other top and mid-tier colleges in Kerala also accept CAT scores. Below are some of the top MBA Colleges that accept CAT cut-off scores in Kerala.

College Name

CAT cut-off

IIM Kozhikode

85

RBS Kochi

50

XIME Kochi

70

RCBS Kochi

50

SCMS Cochin School of Business  

75

Top MBA Colleges in Kerala with high placements 2026

Any aspirant choosing an MBA college must always check for the previous year's placement records and possible growth in the coming year. Candidates must choose the college that can provide good industrial exposure and internship opportunities during the curriculum so that after course completion, they can land in good job opportunities. Placement rate and MBA course fees in the particular college are proportional to each other decides ROI.

  • Top-tier colleges like IIM Kozhikode, NIT Calicut, etc. will provide the highest package records of up to 53 LPA.
  • Mid-tier colleges like RCBS Kochi, SIM Kottayam, and SCMS Cochin School of Business offer good packages ranging from 11-16 LPA.
  • Some of the top companies that visit these colleges for campus drives are EY, TCS, SAP, HDFC Bank, ITC Limited, Flipkart, Godrej, etc.

The list below states the top MBA Colleges in Kerala with placements (average and highest).

College name

Average package

Highest Package

RCBS Kochi

9.33 LPA

18.33 LPA

NIT Calicut

8.07 LPA

12 LPA

SIM Kottayam

4.18 LPA

12.5 LPA

IIM Kozhikode

27 LPA

72.02 LPA

SSTM, Kochi

6.38 LPA

16.5 LPA

RBS Kochi

7 LPA

18 LPA

XIME Kochi

9.34 LPA

16.22 LPA

SCMS Cochin School of Business

6.9 LPA

13.58 LPA

LEAD College of Management

4.2 LPA

12.5 LPA

KBS Kochi

4.5 LPA

12 LPA

MBA Colleges in Kerala with good Return on Investment

MBA aspirants choosing an MBA college in Kerala with good ROI is very crucial.  There are some key factors to be considered while assessing good ROI, such as,

  • Total course fee’s structure (can include costs other than tuition fees)
  • Average package that can reasonably be expected
  • Brand value of the institute, along with its placements and alumni support
  • If the salary matches the expectations and the region of work.

If the candidates have good scores in academics and entrance exams, then they can opt for a top-tier college like IIM Kozhikode, where both fees and placement rates both are high.

If the budget is constrained with decent academics, the candidates can opt for mid-tier colleges like NIT Calicut, RCBS Kochi, CUSAT, etc., as they offer course with comparatively low prices with decent placement packages.

Here is the tabulated list of top MBA Colleges in Kerala with good ROI%.

College name

Fees structure

Average package

ROI%

Rajagiri Centre Business School Kochi

1.84 lakhs

9.33 lakhs

507.06%

NIT Calicut

4.3 lakhs

8.07 lakhs

187.67%

IIM Kozhikode

23.5 lakhs

27 lakhs

114.89%

XIME Kochi

9.9 lakhs

9.34 lakhs

94.34%

RBS Kochi

7.87 lakhs

7 lakhs

88.9%

SCMS Cochin School of Business

7.96 lakhs

6.9 lakhs

86.68%

LEAD College of Management

8 lakhs

4.2 lakhs

52.5%

SSTM Kochi

7.1 lakhs

6.38 lakhs

89.85%

 

List of Top 40 MBA Colleges in Kerala

Kochi, Kerala | Ratings:
Established : 1996 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 1300000
  • What is the minimum CAT score for IIM Kozhikode?

Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode CAT cut-off for MBA admissions in 98. 

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Ratings:
Established : 1937 | Accredited/Approved : UGC
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 50000
  • What about fees for the MBA course at Kerala University?

Kerala University MBA fees structure cost around INR 1 Lakh in total for two years. Students can pay the fee on a semester basis which expenses INR 25k.

Kochi, Kerala
Established : 1971 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE,UGC
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 280000
  • How much are the MBA fees at SMSCUST?

The full-time MBA program fees at SMS, Cochin University is INR 1.35 Lakhs per annum. 

Kottayam, Kerala | Ratings:
Established : 2002 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 310000
  • Is any scholarship facility available in Chinmaya Institute of Technology

Chinmaya College Kannur Scholarships are usually provided for the Merit students .Candidates must obtain above minimum 80% aggregate score in academic examination to avail for the scholarship facil

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Established : 2009 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 180000
  • Please let me know the fee structure of MBA (Finance management) at RIET?

MBA in finance management at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering and Technology can be completed with an approximate expenditure of INR 3.6 Lakhs; which you can pay in instalments of INR 1.8 Lakhs p

Thrissur, Kerala | Ratings:
Established : 2004 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 280000
  • Admission for MBA
Kottayam, Kerala
Established : 2005 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 310000
  • When will be the admission of MBA starts at girideepam

Hi, MBA admission at Girideepam Institute of Advanced Learning will begin from the month of May. The eligibility is graduation followed by a valid score in CAT/MAT/XAT/

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Ratings:
Established : 2001 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 290000
  • When did you start the class? What are criteria to join?
Calicut, Kerala | Ratings:
Established : 2002 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE,NAAC
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 360000
Kottayam, Kerala | Ratings:
Established : 2002 | Accredited/Approved : AICTE
>> Master of Business Administration Fees : Rs. 200000
  • How much is the MBA fee at Member Sree Narayana Pillai Institute of Management & Technology

Member Sree Narayana Pillai Institute of Management & Technology fee for MBA is INR 1.2 Lakh per year.

AQs


Which MBA is best in Kerala?
Ans: One of the best top-tier management institutes in Kerala is IIM Kozhikode and followed by other top institutes, such as Rajagiri Centre of Business School, Kochi Business School, SCMS Cochin School of Business etc.

How many MBA colleges are there in Kerala?
Ans: There is no exact number of MBA colleges in Kerala but there are over 170+ management institutes, which includes all public, private, and autonomous institutions.

How to get admission for an MBA in Kerala?
Ans: Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in any stream with min of 50% marks, followed with valid entrance exam scores like KMAT Kerala, CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, etc.

What are the fees for an MBA in Kerala?
Ans: The MBA course fees in Kerala varies from institute to institute. The cost ranges from 50,000 in government colleges to even 25 lakhs in private colleges for the entire program.

Which are the most popular entrance exams accepted by the MBA colleges in Kerala?
Ans: The most popular and commonly accepted entrance exams for MBA admissions in Kerala is KMAT and CMAT. However, private management institutes accept other national entrance exams like CAT / XAT / MAT.

Which MBA College in Kerala offers the maximum ROI?
Ans: As per the previous academic and placement records, Rajagiri Centre of Business School (RCBS), Kochi, stands out in providing the highest ROI of 507.06%

Can I do an MBA without the CAT Exam in Kerala?
Ans: Yes, candidates can pursue an MBA even without the CAT exam.Students can also choose alternative entrance exams like CAT/ MAT/ XAT/ KMAT Kerala, etc. However, for candidates opting for any of the top-tier MBA institutes like IIM, the CAT scores are mandatory.

Is direct MBA admissions possible in Kerala?
Ans: Candidates can get direct admissions for MBA in Kerala by opting some of the private Universities or institutes. They give admission based on factors like academic performance, work experience, if any, and extracurricular activities.

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