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. 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.
Read LessTop 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
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.
Search MBA Colleges in Kerala by Course
LATEST NEWS & ARTICLES
Date: 03-11-2025
Correction Window for IIT JAM 2026
The IIT Bombay has opened the form correction facility for the Joint Admission Test IIT JAM 2026....
Date: 03-11-2025
Application Registrations for CLAT 2026 Last Date
Recently, the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has issued a revised notification re...
Date: 03-11-2025
Counseling Registrations for Jharkhand NEET PG 2025
JCECE conducts Jharkhand NEET PG counseling. The authorities have announced the registration date...
Date: 03-11-2025
CAT 2025 Admit card Releases on November 5
IIM Kozhikode is conducting body of CAT 2025. The exam will be held on November 30, 2025. A...
Date: 03-11-2025
KEE 2026 Application Form and Exam Date
KEE is an institute-level entrance exam held by Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. KIT...

![Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode - [Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/25_05_16_103149_IIM_Kozhikode_Logo.jpg)
![Kerala University - [Kerala University]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/01_10_16_065400_uni_kerela_logo.png)
![SMS, Cochin University of Science & Technology - [SMS, Cochin University of Science & Technology]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/12_04_17_054814_t0.jpg)
![Chinmaya Institute of Technology - [Chinmaya Institute of Technology]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/13_04_17_034006_z1.jpg)
![Rajadhani Institute of Engineering and Technology - [Rajadhani Institute of Engineering and Technology]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/17_04_17_100406_c.jpg)
![Elijah Institute of Management Studies - [Elijah Institute of Management Studies]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/12_04_17_093747_k0.jpg)
![Girideepam Institute of Advanced Learning - [Girideepam Institute of Advanced Learning]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/12_04_17_090730_l0.jpg)
![Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering & Technology - [Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering & Technology]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/12_04_17_052104_u0.jpg)
![Federal Institute of Science and Technology - [Federal Institute of Science and Technology]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/12_04_17_115605_e2.jpg)
![Member Sree Narayana Pillai Institute of Management & Technology - [Member Sree Narayana Pillai Institute of Management & Technology]](https://www.campusoption.com/images/colleges/logos/12_04_17_110718_a1.jpg)
Loading...



