Pgdm Colleges In Chennai

Top PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2025 – Rankings, Fees, Admissions, ROI & More

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Tanya Verma

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The southern state’s education hub Chennai is home to some of the top PGDM colleges in India. With more than 20 PGDM colleges situated within the city, include names like Great Lakes Institute of Management, Loyola Institute of Business Administration, and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences. The average fee for these courses ranges from INR 5 lakh to INR 15 lakh, based on the ownership (Government or Private) of the college.

When compared to other major metro cities—whether you're searching for Top PGDM Colleges in Bangalore, Top PGDM Colleges in Hyderabad, or even Top PGDM Colleges in Delhi—Chennai stands out as a preferred destination for management aspirants. The city not only offers a relatively lower cost of living but also hosts several reputed B-schools known for their academic excellence and strong industry connections. The average PGDM fees in Chennai range from INR 5 lakh to INR 15 lakh, depending on the institution type (government or private). Candidates looking to join these programs must clear exams such as CAT, XAT, TANCET, CMAT, or GMAT. With many large companies and industries based in Chennai, candidates can conveniently pursue their PGDM and gain industry experience.

Top PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2025: Highlights

Parameters

Details

No. of Top PGDM Colleges

3

Top Colleges

Great Lakes Institute of Management

Loyola Institute of Business Administration

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences

Ownership

Both Government and Private institutions 

Exams Accepted

CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT, TANCET for some government-aided colleges

Specializations Offered

FinanceMarketingHROperationsBusiness AnalyticsInformation TechnologyEntrepreneurship

Average Fees (Range)

INR 5 Lakh to INR 16 Lakh 

Admission Process

Entrance exam, Written assessment test, Group discussion, and Personal Interview

Placement Range

5 LPA to 15 LPA

If you're confused between pursuing an MBA or PGDM in Chennai or elsewhere, you can check out this detailed guide on MBA vs PGDM: Which is the Best 2025 . It covers the key differences, salary comparisons, and career prospects to help you decide which course aligns with your career goals.

Top PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2025: Specialisation & Courses

The Great Lakes Institute of Management, Loyola Institute of Business Administration, and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences are some of the top PGDM colleges in Chennai. The rest are mentioned in the following table:

College Name

Fees Range 

Courses Offered

Specializations Offered

Great Lakes Institute of Management

INR 13 Lakh

PGDM

Finance, Marketing, Operations, IT, Analytics, HR

Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)

INR 6 Lakh

PGDM

Finance, Marketing, HR, Analytics, Operations

ITM Business School, Chennai

INR 12 Lakh

PGDM

Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, IT

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences

INR 7 Lakh

PGDM

Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations

Madras School of Economics

INR 5 Lakh

PGDM

Finance, Business Analytics

Eligibility Criteria for PGDM Colleges in Chennai

Candidates interested in pursuing the PGDM admission process in Chennai or anywhere else in the country are required to have a bachelor's degree from a UGC recognized university with at least 50-55% marks scored. These eligibility criteria can vary depending on the college. Here are the eligibility criteria of the Great Lakes Institute of Management:

Admission Parameter

Details

Accepted Entrance Exams

GMAT (scores taken after 1st Jan 2022)

CAT (2023/2024)

XAT (2024/2025)

Minimum Educational Qualification

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a UGC recognized institution with a minimum 60% aggregate in 10th, 12th, and graduation

Work Experience Requirement

Freshers and candidates with less than 36 months of work experience as on 30th June 2025 are eligible for the PGDM program

One-Year PGPM Eligibility

Candidates with 2-3 years of work experience as on 30th April 2025 are encouraged for the One-Year PGPM flagship program; they are also eligible to apply for the Two-Year PGDM

Application Process for Dual Program

Candidates can apply for both PGDM and PGPM by filling separate application forms. The admissions panel may recommend the specific program based on the candidate's assessment

Special Program for Family Business Candidates

Candidates from business families planning to join the family business can enroll in the PGPM - Family Business & Entrepreneurship program

Preference for Rank Holders

Special preference/extra weightage given to candidates who are college/university rank holders

 PGDM Colleges in Chennai: NIRF 2024 Ranking 

NIRF is the most reliable college ranking authority in India. Only a few PGDM colleges in Chennai secured a place in the “top 100 management colleges in India” list released by NIRF. The Great Lakes Institute of Management secured the highest ranking at the 34th position:

College Name

Score

NIRF Rank

Great Lakes Institute of Management

56.15

34

Loyola Institute of Business Administration

49.26

66

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences

47.92

74

Private PGDM Colleges in Chennai

Most of the best PGDM colleges in Chennai are privately owned and run. These private colleges offer great facilities, infrastructure, and placement opportunities to students. The total fees for these colleges range from 5 lakh to 16 lakh. Interested candidates can take admission through TANCET, MAT, and CAT. Here is the list of private PGDM colleges in Chennai along with their fees, entrance exams, and expected cutoffs.

College Name

Total Fees 

Accepted Exams

Expected Cutoff (2025)

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

INR 15 Lakh

CAT, XATGMAT, MAT

CAT: Around 90 percentile (varies by category)

Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)

INR 12 to 15 Lakh

CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT

CAT: Approx. 80-85 percentile (varies)

Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR-GSB)

INR 14 Lakh to 16 Lakh

CAT, MAT

CAT: Around 85-90 percentile

ITM Business School, Chennai

INR 10 Lakh - 11 Lakh

CAT, MAT, CMAT

CAT: Approx. 75-80 percentile

Government/Semi-Govt. PGDM Colleges in Chennai 

Chennai’s government PGDM colleges in Chennai are known for their low cost, reputed image, and strong academics. The fees for the PGDM program in these colleges range from 1 lakh to 6 lakh, which is comparatively very low compared to the average fees for this course. Here is a table of Government/Semi-Government PGDM Colleges in Chennai with their fees, accepted entrance exams, and expected cutoffs:

College Name

Fees (Approx.)

Accepted Exams

Expected Cutoff (Approx.)

Madras School of Economics (Semi-Government)

INR 5 Lakh approx.

CAT, MAT, CMAT

CAT: 70+ percentile

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textile & Management (Government)

INR 1 Lakh approx.

State-level exams, CMAT

State exam cutoffs apply

PGDM Colleges in Chennai: Fee & Salary (ROI) 2025

The average fees for the PGDM colleges in Chennai range from 5 lakh to 15 Lakh. This comes under the moderate category if compared with nationwide statistics. But to truly understand if the college is good, candidates need to know the ROI of the college. Here is a list of top PGDM colleges in Chennai along with their fee, salaries, and ROI verdict; read it carefully before taking admission:

Looking for colleges that give the best value for your investment? Check out PGDM Colleges in Delhi: Best ROI 2025 to explore your options.

College Name

Total Fee (Approx.)

Average Salary (LPA)

ROI Verdict

Great Lakes Institute of Management

INR 15.36 Lakh

14–15 LPA

High (Strong salary recovery, premium brand)

Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)

INR 15 Lakh

10–12 LPA

Moderate to High (Good salary vs fee ratio)

ITM Business School, Chennai

INR 12 Lakh

6.5 – 7.5 LPA

Moderate (Average salary justifies fees)

Madras School of Economics

INR 5 Lakh

6–7 LPA

Good (Salary slightly exceeds fees)

PGDM Colleges in Chennai: Admission 2025

The admission process to get admission to the top PGDM college in Chennai requires the candidate to first appear in the entrance exam, then apply for the next rounds, which include GD, a written admission test, and a personal interview. Here is the admission process of the LIBA Institute of Chennai:

Step 1. Appear in the CAT and XAT entrance exams, so the candidate can use the scores to apply for admission to the Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA). 

Step 2. Register on the official website and upload all the necessary documents (CAT scorecard, marksheets, identity proof, category certificate) along with personal, academic, and other information. 

Step 3. Once the registration process is over, candidates will be called in for a group discussion round where they will be given a random topic to discuss among other candidates. The panelist will score each candidate based on their inputs, communication skills, leadership qualities, and reasoning skills.

Step 4. After the GD round, candidates will be interviewed on their academic knowledge, general awareness, reasoning ability, etc. Candidates should be dressed professionally and stay confident during the interview process.

Step 5. A list of selected candidates will be generated based on their board scores, CAT/XAT scores, interview, and GD. These candidates will be offered a seat in the PGDM program of Loyola Institute of Business Administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which is the best PGDM college in Chennai?

Great Lakes Institute of Management is widely regarded as the best PGDM college in Chennai. Ranked 34th in India by NIRF, it is known for its industry-oriented curriculum, strong corporate partnerships, and high placement records. The institute offers a modern campus, experienced faculty, global exposure programs, and excellent peer learning opportunities—making it a top choice for management aspirants seeking quality education and career growth.

Q2. How can I get admission to the PGDM course in Chennai?

To get admission in the top PGDM course in Chennai, candidates are required to clear the entrance exams such as the CAT, XAT, TANCET etc, appear in the written assessment test; participate in group discussion, and give the interview.

Q3. What is the average fee for PGDM in Chennai?

The average fee of a PGDM program in Chennai starts from 5 lakh and goes up to 16 lakh. The government-aided colleges are even cheaper.

Q4. Is an MBA better than a PGDM?

MBA and PGDM both have their own advantages. The major difference is that PGDM, offered through specialized PGDM courses, is more industry-focused, while MBA, taught at various top MBA colleges, is more theoretical in nature.

Q5. What is the PGDM average package?

Candidates can expect the salary range to be from around 5 lakh per annum to 15 lakh per annum. Depending on the institute and the candidate’s skills, it can go higher or lower.