Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2025 – Rankings, Fees, Placements & Admission Details

Tamil Nadu is emerging as a hub for top nationally acclaimed universities offering high-quality MBAs to students. There are over 500+ MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu offering quality higher education in business management. However, the top universities and colleges in Tamil Nadu, led by IIM Tiruchirappalli, have excelled in terms of offering remarkable returns on investment. The state features a perfect mix of top-tier institutions, an affordable fee structure, strong industry connections and links, and a range of specializations to choose from. Some of the top universities in Tamil Nadu for MBA include IIM Tiruchirappalli, VIT Business School, DoMs ITT Madras, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and Anna University. These institutions have managed to consistently feature in national rankings of top business schools in India due to their academic brilliance, excellent placements, and impressive corporate exposure. 

All the top-tier MBA institutions in Tamil Nadu boast state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced faculty, advanced curriculum, and incredible placement statistics. The search for the top MBA colleges in India for 2025 ends here with the list of top business institutions, along with everything the candidate needs to know.

Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu Highlights 2025

According to the national rankings, there are a total of 9 premium institutions in the state of Tamil Nadu. These universities are well-recognised and reputed, especially in specializations like human resources, marketing, IT, finance, business analytics, and operations management. The state attracts leading companies such as BOSCH, Deloitte, CRISIL, HCL, Dell, Directi, LT, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Microsoft, etc., as recruiters, with the highest package offered above INR 40 LPA.

Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu with Rankings 2024

National rankings produced annually by bodies like NIRF, Business Today, and Outlook-ICARE feature several colleges from Tamil Nadu, making them the top choices for business aspirants. The top MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu are ranked by these agencies based on various factors, making them credible for students to consider for admission. Both private and government institutions in Tamil Nadu, including some of the top MBA colleges in Chennai, have been ranked consistently among the top business schools by these agencies.

NIRF Rankings 2024

In the well-recognised and reputed NIRF 2024 business school rankings, Tamil Nadu has shone in the list, with 11 colleges being featured in the list. IIT Madras has topped the list of the top-ranked business schools in Tamil Nadu by securing rank 16 out of 100 entries. The Department of Management Studies at IIT Madras managed to score 61.73, making its way to the best college to consider for MBA admission. 

Outlook Rankings 2024

Outlook-ICARE produces one of the most respected evaluations of business schools from all over the country based on parameters such as academic performance, industrial exposure to students, infrastructure, student facilities, and placement performance. The rankings are done based on an in-depth analysis of all the business schools. As per the 2024 Outlook-ICARE rankings, the Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, has managed to secure the third rank, with its USP being its impressive placement statistics.

Business Today Rankings 2024

Business today rankings majorly focus on the placement performance, the college’s infrastructure, and links with top recruiters in the industry. The Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, yet again showed its brilliance by scoring 17th rank, with top recruiters being IBM, KPMG, Deloitte, and more. The second place is secured by the Loyola Institute of Business Administration at rank 42. Other colleges, like the School of Management, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Chennai, were also featured in the Business Today rankings at 105 and 115, respectively.

Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu Admissions 2025

The admissions to the top MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu involve a process focusing on two primary routes. They are direct admissions via national-level entrance exams like CAT, MAT, CMAT, or common admission exams conducted by some colleges, and the state-level examination, Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test TANCET. Candidates are required to stay updated with the updates available on the official websites of the target colleges for cutoffs and other notifications. Based on that, the candidates can prepare for entrance exams and apply to colleges with their scores through the official website. 

Step-by-Step Admission Process to Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu

• Step 1 - The first step begins with choosing a pathway between TANCET and other national-level entrance exams accepted by colleges, like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, or GMAT. 

• Step 2 - Register for entrance exams based on target colleges and prepare accordingly. Keep tracking the official college websites to get details regarding the cutoff. 

• Step 3 - Appear for the entrance exams and score well to ensure meeting the cutoff requirements.

• Step 4 - Candidates can apply to different institutions based on the entrance examinations accepted. Further, the candidates must submit their entrance exam scores and admission forms to colleges following the results.

• Step 5 Following the shortlisting process, the selected candidates will be called for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and group discussion round.

• Step 6 - All the parameters (entrance test scores, eligibility, WAT & GD evaluation) are assessed, and on the basis of that, a merit list and offer letters are issued.  

• Step 7 - Upon receiving the offer letter, the candidate needs to accept the offer letter, submit the required documents, and pay the admission fee. 

State-level MBA Admission 2025 via TANCET

The Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET), conducted annually for admissions to the MBA, is the state-level entrance exam for admission into MBA and other postgraduate programs. The Department of Management Studies (DoMS) at Anna University, SSN School of Management, PSG Institute of Management, and Thiagarajar School of Management accept TANCET scores for admission.

National-level Entrance Exams Accepted by Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu

• CAT - Common Admission Test to the top business schools all over India is set to be held on November 30, 2025. The registrations for the same will begin by the first week of August.

• MAT - The Management Aptitude Test is another national-level entrance exam. The last date for MAT 2025 registration was May 25, 2025, for the PBT and June 2, 2025, for the CBT. The exams have also concluded for both PBT and CBT on May 31 and June 8, respectively. 

• XAT - Xavier Aptitude Test is accepted by over 40 MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu, including prominent institutions like LIBA and Great Lakes Institute of Management. The XAT exam was conducted on January 5, 2025.

• CMAT - The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) was conducted on January 25, 2025. Top colleges like the Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore, and VIT Business School accept CMAT scores for admissions to MBA.

Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu Exam Schedule 2025

The admission timeline of the top MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu is closely tied to the dates and results of the national and state-level entrance exams. Premium business institutions like the IIM Tiruchirappalli and DoMS IIT Madras require CAT scores to consider admissions in the MBA specializations offered. Leading private colleges like the VIT Business School and the Great Lakes Institute of Management also accept MAT scores. Here’s a list of exams with their registration and exam dates, along with the colleges accepting those scores. 

Top Private MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu

The search for the most prestigious MBA institutions in Tamil Nadu ends here. The list below comprises the leading and most reputable private business schools not only in Tamil Nadu but across the country. These institutions have managed to secure the top positions consistently due to their excellent placement records and strong links with industry leaders to ease the corporate beginning for students, and a world-class infrastructure. Apart from the names mentioned in the list, Tamil Nadu hosts other prominent universities too, such as Loyola Institute of Business Administration.

Top Government MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu

With an affordable fee structure, a reputation to count on, and packages that far exceed the ones offered by average private MBA institutions, government MBA colleges in Madurai have always been the top choice of students. IIM Tiruchirappalli leads the list and, being an IIM, has an expensive fee structure. However, the return on investment of IIM is unquestionable, making it one of the best government MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu. Following the list is DoMS IIT Madras, with an outstanding highest package of INR 21 lakh.

Top MBA Colleges in Chennai Eligibility Criteria

Even though every business school in Chennai has a separate eligibility criterion and varying entrance exam cutoff requirements, there is a basic eligibility criterion to get admission to the top MBA colleges in Chennai. Let’s have a look at the major requirements that the candidates need to ensure to pass the eligibility criteria of the top business schools. 

• Candidates are generally required to have a minimum of 50% aggregate in graduation, and that too from a recognised university. Some colleges also offer relaxation to candidates coming from reserved categories. 

• Candidates must have their management exam scores ready while applying to the college. Check the cutoff list of the college, and then only proceed with the admission application if the cutoff requirements are met, as if they are not met, the application may be rejected. 

• Most MBA colleges in Chennai select candidates based on their assessment following the shortlisting procedure. The admission process proceeds further with the evaluation of group discussion and personal interview rounds.

MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu Fees vs Salary (ROI)

The only evaluation that should carry the most weight and impact is the return on investment. There is no denying the fact that an MBA from a prestigious institute in Tamil Nadu can be quite expensive and might take a toll on one’s pocket. Hence, it becomes really important to consider colleges that are backed by a record of good placements and impressive average salaries. The assessment is done based on whether the average salaries offered upon placement at a particular MBA college justify the tuition fee charged by the institution. Here’s a list of top 10 MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu, both government and private, along with their tuition fees and average salaries that students got in the recent placement drive.

Highest Salary Offered by MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu

The top-tier universities and colleges offering MBA programs at their campus are well-recognised for being the top choice of recruiters from all over the globe. With companies like BOSCH, Deloitte, CRISIL, HCL, Dabur, Dell, Directi, LT, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Microsoft, NatWest Group, and many more participating in the placement drives, Tamil Nadu stands out when it comes to landing the highest packages. This year, the government colleges like IIM Tiruchirappalli and Anna University outshone the private MBA colleges and secured INR 43.69 and 40 LPA, respectively. 

Cost of Studying MBA in Tamil Nadu

An MBA itself is a costly course to pursue, and along with that, there are other expenses as well related to accommodation, food, and other miscellaneous expenses. Hence, determining the exact cost of studying for an MBA in Tamil Nadu is not possible. However, an estimated cost of studying an MBA in Tamil Nadu can be devised with the help of tuition fees, hostel and mess charges, and other miscellaneous expenses. This way, the students will have an idea of approximately how much they need to be prepared financially.

IIM Tiruchirappalli

• Tuition Fee - INR 19.6 lakh 

• Hostel Charges - Included in the tuition fee

• Mess Charges - Included in the tuition fee

• Total Fees - INR 20 lakh approximately

DoMS IIT Madras

• Tuition Fee - INR 7.94-11.62 lakh

• Hostel Charges - Included in the tuition fee

• Mess Charges - Included in the tuition fee

• Total Fees - INR 12 lakh approximately

VIT Business School, Chennai

• Tuition Fee - INR 7 lakh+ 

• Hostel Charges - ~INR 2.5 lakh

• Mess Charges - Included in Hostel Fee

• Total Fees - INR 10 lakh approximately

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

• Tuition Fee - INR 18.08 lakh

• Hostel Charges - ~INR 3.2 lakh

• Mess Charges - Included in Hostel Fee

• Total Fees - INR 22 lakh approximately

Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Tiruchirappalli

• Tuition Fee - INR 12.2-16.95 lakh

• Hostel Charges - ~INR 2.2 lakh

• Mess Charges - Included in Hostel Fee

• Total Fees - INR 20 lakh approximately

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham 

• Tuition Fee - INR 14.52 lakh

• Hostel Charges - Included in the tuition fee

• Mess Charges - Included in the tuition fee

• Total Fees - INR 15 lakh approximately

NIT Trichy

• Tuition Fee - INR 2.78 lakh

• Hostel Charges - ~INR 1.2 lakh

• Mess Charges - INR 70-80K

• Total Fees - INR 5 lakh approximately

Anna University 

• Tuition Fee - INR 74k-1.02 lakh

• Hostel Charges - ~INR 1.37 lakh

• Mess Charges - Included in the hostel fees

• Total Fees - INR 3.5 lakh approximately

EMI and Scholarships

In order to make quality and expensive education, such as an MBA, accessible to all, different colleges, both government and private, take on initiatives to provide financial aid and assistance via scholarships. Here is a list of all the scholarships provided by both private and public universities via college-introduced or government-provided schemes. 

Top MBA Specializations in Tamil Nadu

The top 20 MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu are not the only best thing for business aspirants. The state boasts several specializations that are designed with the latest curriculum and cater to the different needs and demands of the industry. The presence of various specializations by the colleges attracts a lot of business aspirants to Tamil Nadu, contributing to the overall industry growth. Students also explore opportunities in the Best MBA colleges in Bangalore, Top MBA colleges in Hyderabad, Top MBA colleges in Noida, and Top MBA colleges in Greater Noida, which further expands their career prospects across different regions.

Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu Cutoff 2025

It is extremely crucial for candidates to understand the cutoff cycle for entrance examinations to the top MBA colleges. The cutoffs for different colleges vary, and they may differ further based on the candidates’ categories. Here is a list comprising the exams accepted by the top MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu, along with their cutoff percentile.

Comparison of Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is home to some of the most prestigious and elite universities, both government and private institutions, making it quite challenging for students to make a choice. However, these institutions differ strongly in terms of fees and average salary. The candidates must look at the list below to better understand and make an informed choice regarding college selection. Students who are also exploring options beyond the state can compare the top MBA colleges in Kerala along with the top MBA colleges in Tamil Nadu to choose the institute that best fits their career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions