CAT Accepting Colleges with Fees If you are planning to appear for CAT 2026, choosing the right MBA college involves more than looking at the CAT percentile. Candidates should compare the CAT cutoff, course fees, placements, ROI, location, specialisation and admission criteria before applying.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is accepted by the IIMs and many leading management institutes across India. However, cutoff percentiles and fees can change every admission cycle. The figures below are therefore indicative ranges for planning purposes, not guaranteed admission cutoffs.
Top CAT Accepting Colleges with Fees 2026
| College Name | Location | Indicative CAT Cutoff | Approx. MBA Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad | 99+ | ₹25 Lakh+ |
| IIM Bangalore | Bengaluru | 99+ | ₹24–25 Lakh |
| IIM Calcutta | Kolkata | 99+ | ₹25 Lakh+ |
| IIM Lucknow | Lucknow | 97–99+ | ₹20–22 Lakh |
| IIM Kozhikode | Kozhikode | 97–99+ | ₹20–23 Lakh |
| IIM Indore | Indore | 97–99+ | ₹20–22 Lakh |
| FMS Delhi | Delhi | 98–99+ | ₹2–3 Lakh* |
| MDI Gurgaon | Gurugram | 94–97+ | ₹25 Lakh+ |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | Mumbai | 85–95+* | ₹20–25 Lakh |
| IIT Delhi (DMS) | Delhi | 90–95+ | ₹11–13 Lakh |
| IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) | Mumbai | 95+ | ₹14–16 Lakh |
| IMT Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad | 90–95 | ₹20–22 Lakh |
| XIM University | Bhubaneswar | 90+ | ₹20–23 Lakh |
| TAPMI Manipal | Manipal | 85–90 | ₹18–20 Lakh |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai | 80–90 | ₹12–14 Lakh |
| LIBA Chennai | Chennai | 75–85 | ₹10–15 Lakh |
| BIMTECH | Greater Noida | 70–85 | ₹12–14 Lakh |
*Fees and cutoffs are indicative. FMS has a substantially lower programme fee than most top B-schools, while SPJIMR may consider profile-based admissions and other criteria.
Important: Fees can differ by programme, hostel, accommodation, deposits and other charges. Always check the institute’s official admission brochure for the latest CAT 2026 fee structure.
IIMs Accepting CAT 2026 Scores
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are the most prominent CAT-accepting institutions in India.
IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Ahmedabad is among the most competitive MBA institutions in India. Candidates need a very strong CAT performance as well as a competitive academic and overall profile.
IIM Bangalore
IIM Bangalore considers CAT performance along with academic profile and other selection criteria. A very high percentile is generally required to remain competitive.
IIM Calcutta
IIM Calcutta is another highly sought-after IIM, particularly known for its strong reputation in management, finance and consulting.
IIM Lucknow
IIM Lucknow is one of India’s leading management institutes and accepts CAT scores for its flagship management programmes.
IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore
Both institutes are among the most preferred IIMs. Their admission processes consider CAT scores along with institute-specific eligibility and selection criteria.
CAT Colleges for 90–99 Percentile
Candidates scoring between 90 and 99 percentile can explore a wide range of reputed management institutes.
Potential options include:
- IIMs, depending on category and profile
- IIT Delhi DMS
- IIT Bombay SJMSOM
- MDI Gurgaon
- SPJIMR Mumbai
- IMT Ghaziabad
- XIM University
- TAPMI Manipal
- Other established CAT-accepting B-schools
The actual shortlist depends on sectional scores, category, academics, work experience and admission policies.
MBA Colleges Accepting 70–80 Percentile in CAT
A CAT percentile between 70 and 80 can still provide several MBA opportunities. Some institutes that candidates may explore include:
- BIMTECH, Greater Noida
- LIBA Chennai
- SDMIMD Mysuru
- IFMR Graduate School of Business
- Amrita School of Business
- VIT Business School
- Other private and regional B-schools
Before applying, compare the college’s fees, placement outcomes, accreditation, curriculum and ROI rather than selecting an institute based only on the CAT cutoff.
CAT Percentile vs MBA College
| CAT Percentile | Colleges to Explore |
|---|---|
| 99+ | Top IIMs and highly competitive B-schools |
| 95–99 | IIMs, IIT management schools and leading B-schools |
| 90–95 | MDI, IITs, IMT, XIM and other reputed institutes |
| 80–90 | TAPMI, Great Lakes and several private B-schools |
| 70–80 | BIMTECH, LIBA, IFMR and other suitable institutes |
| Below 70 | Private institutes and profile-based admission options |
This is a general planning guide, not an official admission guarantee.
How to Choose a CAT College in 2026
1. Compare ROI
Do not look at fees alone. Compare total programme costs with median and average placement outcomes.
2. Check Placement Reports
Review placement reports and pay attention to median salary, average salary, recruiters and placement percentage.
3. Consider Specialisation
Choose a college that has strong programmes in your preferred area, such as:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Business Analytics
- Operations
- Consulting
- Entrepreneurship
4. Check Admission Criteria
Some colleges consider only CAT scores for initial shortlisting, while others also evaluate academics, work experience, diversity and interviews.
5. Consider Location
Location can influence internships, networking opportunities and access to corporate hubs.
Final Thoughts
The best CAT accepting colleges with fees in 2026 depend on your percentile, academic profile, career objectives and budget. Top IIMs offer strong brand recognition and career opportunities, while institutes such as FMS Delhi can offer an attractive ROI because of their comparatively low fees.
Candidates should create three groups of colleges: ambitious, realistic and safe options. Most importantly, do not rely on old cutoff or fee figures. Verify the latest CAT 2026 admission criteria, fees and deadlines on the official college websites before applying.
Also read:
- MBA schools by CAT percentile
- CAT percentile vs MBA college
- CAT cutoff for IIMs
- MBA admission by CAT score
- CAT accepting colleges 2026
- MBA colleges for 70 percentile in CAT
- Top B-schools by CAT score
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