Chennai, being one of the major educational and industrial centers of South India, has some of the best institutions with AICTE-approved PGDM courses. With a reputation for academic rigor, industry linkage, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the leading PGDM colleges in Chennai are Great Lakes Institute of Management, Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR-GSB), and Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME). These colleges offer specializations in Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, and Business Analytics, along with international exposure through exchange programs and industry projects. With steady placement records, veteran teachers, and curriculum linked with business trends, Chennai is a destination preferred by PGDM applicants for quality education and career prospects.
Top PGDM Colleges – Basic Details
These are the top-rated PGDM/MBA colleges in and around Chennai. Great Lakes and LIBA lead in terms of national rankings and industry reputation.IFMR offers a university-integrated MBA with a strong finance curriculum.XIME Chennai is an upcoming B-school under the XIME group. All are AICTE-approved and provide full-time residential programs.
| College Name | Location | Approval | Affiliation/Type | NIRF Rank (Mgmt) |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Manamai, Chennai | AICTE, NBA | Autonomous | Top 25 |
| LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Admin) | Nungambakkam | AICTE | Affiliated to Univ. of Madras | Top 75 |
| IFMR – GSB (Korea University) | Sri City (Near Chennai) | AICTE, UGC | Deemed Private Univ. | Top 100 |
| XIME Chennai | Sriperumbudur | AICTE | Autonomous | NA (Emerging) |
Programs and Specializations
All colleges offer 2-year full-time PGDM/MBA programs. Great Lakes provides AI/Analytics-focused specializations.IFMR is renowned for Finance and Data Science combinations. LIBA maintains a classic specialization portfolio with system management. XIME offers modern business-focused options with entrepreneurship exposure.
| College | Program | Duration | Specializations Offered |
| Great Lakes | PGDM, PGPM | 2 years | Finance, Analytics, AI, HR, Marketing, Sustainability |
| LIBA | PGDM | 2 years | Finance, Marketing, HR, Systems, Operations |
| IFMR-GSB | MBA | 2 years | Finance, Data Science, HR, Strategy, Quantitative Finance |
| XIME Chennai | PGDM | 2 years | HR, Finance, Analytics, Marketing, Operations |
Eligibility Criteria
A graduation degree with a minimum of 50% is mandatory. Top national exams like CAT, XAT, and CMAT are accepted. IFMR also considers GRE and NMAT scores, offering flexibility. Final-year students can apply provisionally. All colleges ensure equal opportunity for diverse backgrounds.
| College | Qualification | Min % | Exams Accepted | Final Year Eligible |
| Great Lakes | Bachelor’s in any field | 50% | CAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT | Yes |
| LIBA | Graduation (UGC) | 50% | CAT, XAT | Yes |
| IFMR-GSB | Graduation (10+2+3) | 50% | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GRE, GMAT | Yes |
| XIME Chennai | Any UG Degree | 50% | CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA | Yes |
Fee Structure
Fee structures are competitive considering brand and ROI. Great Lakes and IFMR are premium options with international exposure. LIBA offers value-driven education with lower costs. XIME provides an affordable PGDM with a modern curriculum. All allow installment-based payments and offer hostel facilities.
| College | Total Fee (INR) | Hostel (per year) | Refundable Deposit | Installments |
| Great Lakes | ₹17.5 Lakhs | ₹2.25 Lakhs | ₹10,000 | Yes |
| LIBA | ₹12.6 Lakhs | ₹90,000 | ₹15,000 | Yes |
| IFMR-GSB | ₹14.5 Lakhs | ₹1.8 Lakhs | ₹25,000 | Yes |
| XIME Chennai | ₹9.0 Lakhs | ₹84,000 | ₹12,000 | Yes |
Placement Highlights
All colleges boast strong placement support and industry links. Great Lakes leads in both average and highest salary packages. IFMR and LIBA attract top recruiters from BFSI and consulting. XIME provides solid domestic placement options. Training & placement cells actively groom students for hiring.
| College | Avg CTC | Highest CTC | Placement % | Top Recruiters |
| Great Lakes | ₹14.5 LPA | ₹34 LPA | 100% | Deloitte, EY, Amazon, Accenture |
| LIBA | ₹10.2 LPA | ₹20 LPA | 95%+ | HDFC, Infosys, Asian Paints, ITC |
| IFMR-GSB | ₹10.5 LPA | ₹18 LPA | 98% | Barclays, KPMG, HCL, Cognizant |
| XIME Chennai | ₹7.5 LPA | ₹15 LPA | 92% | TCS, Wipro, ICICI Bank, Capgemini |
Entrance Cut-offs (General Category)
Cut-offs reflect the academic standard and competition. Great Lakes has high percentile expectations due to demand. LIBA and IFMR maintain moderate yet selective benchmarks. XIME is more flexible, ideal for mid-range scores. These figures are indicative and may vary slightly each year.
| College | CAT/XAT Cut-off | CMAT/MAT Cut-off | NMAT/GRE (if any) |
| Great Lakes | 85–90 percentile | CMAT 90+ | GMAT 600+ |
| LIBA | 75–80 percentile | Not Accepted | No |
| IFMR-GSB | 75–80 percentile | Not Accepted | GRE 310+, NMAT 220+ |
| XIME Chennai | 65–70 percentile | CMAT/MAT 75+ | No |
Conclusion
Chennai hosts some of India’s top PGDM colleges, combining academic excellence with global exposure and solid industry connect. Institutions like Great Lakes, LIBA, IFMR-GSB, and XIME offer AICTE-approved PGDM/MBA programs with specializations in Marketing, Finance, Analytics, and HR. These colleges are known for strong placements, competitive cutoffs, modern infrastructure, and scholarship options. Whether you’re targeting leadership roles in MNCs or startups, Chennai’s management institutions provide a comprehensive and future-ready learning ecosystem. For students seeking quality education with great ROI, Chennai is a promising PGDM destination.
FAQs on PGDM Colleges in Chennai
Q1. What entrance exams are accepted by top PGDM colleges in Chennai?
Top colleges accept scores from CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, NMAT, and MAT, depending on the institution.
Q2. Which college in Chennai has the best placement record for PGDM?
Great Lakes Institute of Management consistently shows 100% placements with high average and peak packages.
Q3. What is the average fee for PGDM programs in Chennai?
The average fee ranges from ₹9–17 lakhs for the entire 2-year program, depending on the college.
Q4. Do PGDM colleges in Chennai offer hostel and scholarship facilities?
Yes, almost all top colleges provide well-equipped hostels and merit-based or need-based scholarships.
Q5. Is PGDM from Chennai colleges AICTE approved and industry-recognized?
Yes, colleges like LIBA, Great Lakes, and XIME are AICTE-approved and highly valued in the job market.
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