Top 30 Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT Scores for 2025 Admissions
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is an essential examination for MBA aspirants in India. It is primarily recognised for facilitating admissions into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Plenty of prestigious non-IIM universities also accept CAT scores for those looking for a top-notch management education. With an emphasis on their distinctive programs, entrance requirements, and expected cutoffs, this article explores the top 30 MBA schools that will accept CAT scores for the 2025 admissions cycle.
Understanding Non-IIM Business Schools
India's non-IIM business schools are now well-known for their excellent standards of education, experienced instructors, and strong industry ties. They frequently offer customized programs that address a range of professional goals. Pursuing an MBA from these schools has the following benefits:
- Diverse Program Offerings: A large number of MBA programs offered by non-IIMs focus on fields such as international business, marketing, finance, and human resources.
- Lower Admission Cutoffs: In general, CAT score cutoffs for non-IIM universities are lower than those of IIMs.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Non-IIM universities are a financially viable alternative because their tuition costs are frequently less than those of IIMs.
- Good Placement Opportunities: Graduates' chances of finding employment are improved by the strong relationships that many of these institutions have with the business sector.
Top 30 Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
Here is a list of the top 30 non-IIM colleges that accept CAT scores for MBA admissions in 2025:
| Rank |
College Name |
Course Fees (INR) |
Expected CAT Cutoff (%) |
| 1 |
DMS, IIT Delhi |
11.2 Lakh |
98.04 |
| 2 |
SJMSOM, IIT Bombay |
2.69 Lakh |
97.5 |
| 3 |
MDI Gurgaon |
20 Lakh |
97-99 |
| 4 |
IIFT Delhi |
21.77 Lakh |
80-85 |
| 5 |
SPJIMR Mumbai |
16-17 Lakh |
85-95 |
| 6 |
IMT Ghaziabad |
19.2 Lakh |
85+ |
| 7 |
FMS Delhi |
18.2 Lakh |
98-99 |
| 8 |
JBIMS Mumbai |
9.5 Lakh |
96 |
| 9 |
MICA Ahmedabad |
12.5 Lakh |
80 |
| 10 |
XIM Bhubaneswar |
13.6 Lakh |
91 |
| 11 |
K J Somaiya Institute of Management |
8.5 Lakh |
86 |
| 12 |
IMI Delhi |
18.2 Lakh |
90 |
| 13 |
TAPMI Manipal |
15.5 Lakh |
80 |
| 14 |
FORE School of Management |
16.3 Lakh |
85 |
| 15 |
GIM Goa |
12.5 Lakh |
85 |
| 16 |
IRMA Anand |
13.8 Lakh |
80 |
| 17 |
LIBA Chennai |
8.5 Lakh |
70 |
| 18 |
XIME Bangalore |
9.25 Lakh |
70 |
| 19 |
SIBM Pune |
20 Lakhs |
90 |
| 20 |
Nirma University |
7 Lakhs |
75 |
Here are some other Colleges You can consider
Alliance School of Business:
Expected CAT Cut-off: Around 70-80 percentile.
Average Fees: Approximately INR 13-14 lakhs for the entire MBA program?
Alliance Ascent College
Expected CAT Cut-off: around 70 percentile.
Average Fees: Approximately INR 6-8 lakhs for the full course.
GIBS Business School
Expected CAT Cut-off: 60-70 percentile.
Average Fees: Approximately INR 7-8 lakhs for the full course
IBMR Business School
Expected CAT Cut-off: Around 60 percentile.
Average Fees: Roughly INR 4-6 lakhs for the course.
MS Ramaiah Institugement (MSRIM):
Expected CAT Cut-off: Typically 70-80 percentile.
Average Fees: About INR 8-10 lakhs
International School Management Excellence (ISME):
Expected CAT Cut-off: 60-70 percentile.
Average Fees: Approximately INR 6-7 lakhs.
Sapthagiri NPS University | Management Studies:
Expected CAT Cut-off: Around 60-65 percentile.
Average Fees: Approximately INR 5-7 lakhs.
Brindavan College of Management Studies-
Expected CAT Cut-off: Around 55-60 percentile.
Average Fees: INR 3-5 lakhs.
Don Bosco Institute of Management Studies
CAT Cut-off: 55-65 percentile.
Average Fees: Approximately INR 4-5 lakhs.
ISBR Business School:
The expected CAT Cut-off is 70 percentile.
Average Fees: INR 9-11 lakhs for the program
Admission Process and Criteria
The admission process for these non-IIM MBA colleges typically involves the following steps:
- CAT Examination: Candidates must register and appear for the CAT exam.
- Application Form Submission: Post-CAT results, candidates need to fill out individual application forms for each college they wish to apply to.
- Selection Process:
- Most non-IIM colleges conduct further evaluations after shortlisting candidates based on their CAT scores. This may include:
- Group Discussions (GD): Assessing communication skills and teamwork.
- Personal Interviews (PI): Evaluating candidates' motivations and fit for the program.
- Written Ability Test (WAT): Testing writing skills on a given topic.
- Final Selection: The final selection is based on a combination of CAT scores, performance in GD/PI, academic records, and work experience.
Analysis of Expected CAT Score Cutoff Trends for Non-IIM Colleges
- The expected CAT score cutoffs for non-IIM MBA colleges reveal a competitive landscape. Cutoffs at prestigious universities like DMS, IIT Delhi, and FMS Delhi are higher than the 97th percentile, which is reflective of their high demand and strong placement records. Due to the wide candidate pool, admission to these colleges requires strong test results.
- Mid-tier colleges like SPJIMR Mumbai and IMT Ghaziabad have cutoffs ranging from 85 to 96 percentile, providing opportunities for candidates with strong profiles who may not achieve top-tier scores. These schools continue to have strong industry ties and offer placement assistance.
- New colleges, such as MICA Ahmedabad and GIM Goa, have lower cutoffs (70-85 percentile) but offer specialized programs, appealing to candidates interested in specific areas like marketing.
- Overall, the trend indicates increasing competition among non-IIM colleges, with many raising their cutoffs as they enhance their educational programs. Additionally, schools are implementing thorough evaluation processes that take into account CAT results in addition to employment history and individual accomplishments. In order to carefully select MBA programs that meet their career goals, prospective candidates should match their profiles with these trends.
Conclusion
Numerous non-IIM business schools continue to provide outstanding programs that are comparable to those of IIMs in terms of quality and placement possibilities as the management education environment in India changes. Reviewing these prestigious non-IIM universities can offer students aiming for CAT admissions for MBA programs in India useful routes to achieving their professional goals without the intense competition of IIMs. It is essential to do extensive research on each university while evaluating your alternatives for MBA admission in India. You should consider factors like course offers, teacher experience, campus culture, and placement statistics to make an informed choice that supports your professional objectives.
