One of the best management entrance tests conducted in India is the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT). It is the entry test into over 1000 management colleges across the nation. It is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur and is considered as one of the most important tests that can open up any college for an MBA or PGDM in any part of the nation.https://www.careermantra.net/
Below is a list of the best colleges for MBA and PGDM accepting XAT score, divided into percentile categories, with their official names, their fees and placement figures.
The 95+ Percentile Elite (Tier 1)
With a score of more than 95th percentile, you stand a chance to get into the best management colleges of India. They may not be as good as the IIMs but they offer great placements and great connections.
| College Name | Location | Expected XAT Cutoff | Approx. Total Fees | Average Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLRI (Xavier School of Management) | Jamshedpur & Delhi NCR | 95–98+ percentile | ₹27.40L – ₹30.60L | ₹29.89L – ₹31.08L |
| XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management / XIM University) | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | 90–95+ percentile | ₹22.00L – ₹24.60L | ₹19.53 LPA |
| MICA (MICA – The School of Ideas) | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 90–94+ percentile (+ MICAT) | ₹23.00L – ₹28.00L | ₹19.21 LPA |
- XLRI Jamshedpur: The best of the XAT colleges. XLRI Jamshedpur has gained legendary reputation due to its courses on Human Resource Management and Business Management. It boasts some of the finest recruiters and great international placement offers of over ₹1 Crore.
- XIM University: One of the biggest names in eastern India for Business Management.
- MICA Ahmedabad: The undisputed leader when it comes to strategic marketing, advertising, and communications in India.
The 90–95 Percentile Powerhouses (Tier 2)
Institutions in this tier are renowned for their supremacy in some specializations such as marketing, corporate finance, and consultancy.
| College Name | Location | Expected XAT Cutoff | Approx. Total Fees | Average Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMT (Institute of Management Technology) | Ghaziabad, UP (Delhi NCR) | 90–93 percentile | ₹21.00L – ₹23.00L | ₹17.35L – ₹18.89L |
| IMI (International Management Institute) | New Delhi | 88–93 percentile | ₹22.00L – ₹23.54L | ₹17.91 LPA |
| GIM (Goa Institute of Management) | Sanquelim, Goa | 85–90+ percentile | ₹20.00L – ₹21.00L | ₹14.90 LPA |
| TAPMI (T. A. Pai Management Institute) | Manipal, Karnataka | 85–90 percentile | ₹18.00L – ₹19.50L | ₹13.84 LPA |
The 80–90 Percentile Sweet Spot (Tier 3)
In case your score falls between 80 and 100 percentiles, you will be able to get admission into nationally acclaimed institutions that not only have a good regional presence but also have effective placement cells.
| College Name | Location | Expected XAT Cutoff | Approx. Total Fees | Average Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLIM / Great Lakes (Great Lakes Institute of Management) | Chennai & Gurgaon | 80–85+ percentile | ₹20.00L – ₹22.00L | ~₹17.30 LPA |
| FORE (FORE School of Management) | New Delhi | 80–85+ percentile | ₹23.40 Lakhs | ₹16.40L – ₹16.80L |
| IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand) | Anand, Gujarat | 80–85 percentile | ₹16.00L – ₹18.00L | ~₹15.00 LPA |
| K J Somaiya (K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 75–85+ percentile | ₹21.00L – ₹22.32L | ₹12.79 LPA |
| LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 80–85 percentile | ₹18.00L – ₹20.00L | ~₹10.00L – ₹11.00L |
High ROI & Regional Budget-Friendly Options (60–80 Percentile)
It is possible to get an excellent MBA without spending close to ₹20 lakhs. This is a list of the best colleges in the region that offer great Return on Investments (ROIs) for candidates with 60 to 80 percentile scores.
| College Name | Location | Expected XAT Cutoff | Approx. Total Fees | Average Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Management Technology) | Greater Noida, UP | 70–80 percentile | ₹14.00 Lakhs | ₹11.10 LPA |
| Welingkar (Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 75–80 percentile | ₹16.20 Lakhs | ₹11.70 LPA |
| Christ University (Institute of Management) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | 70–75 percentile | ₹9.00L – ₹11.00L | ₹10.00L – ₹11.00L |
| DSB (Delhi School of | New Delhi | 70–75 percentile | ₹10.95 Lakhs | ₹9.40 LPA |
| XISS (Xavier Institute of Social Service) | Ranchi, Jharkhand | 60–75 percentile | ₹9.00L – ₹10.00L | ₹7.00L – ₹9.00L |
| Rajagiri Business School | Kochi, Kerala | 70–75 percentile | ₹8.70 Lakhs | ₹7.50 LPA |
Conclusion
Targeting a college in accordance with your budget, region, and specialization is very important. Although XLRI continues to be the best among all the institutions that conduct XAT exam, the list includes many great institutions located in different parts of India including Great Lakes in Chennai, XIMB in Bhubaneswar, and IMT in Ghaziabad.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.What is the flagship MBA college that accepts XAT scores?
XLRI – Xavier School of Management (Jamshedpur and Delhi-NCR Campuses) is the leading institute and the body which conducts the XAT entrance exam. They usually have a cut-off of 95+ percentiles for their premium Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) programs.
2.Does SPJIMR Mumbai accept XAT scores?
No, not for its flagship PGDM program. Though SPJIMR was accepting XAT scores before, they are now accepting only CAT and GMAT scores for their 2-year PGDM program. (XAT scores may sometimes be considered for certain short-term/global programs, but not the regular PGDM program).
3.What is the average placement package at XLRI Jamshedpur?
XLRI consistently ranks among the best in placements with IIMs in the same league. The average placement packages in recent years are about ₹29.89L – ₹31.08L Per Annum.
4.Which are the best XAT-accepting colleges in the Delhi-NCR region?
Popular choices from the Delhi-NCR Region would be IMI New Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad (Though UP, it is located in Delhi-NCR), FORE School of Management, LBSIM and BIMTECH Greater Noida.
5.Are there good MBA colleges accepting XAT scores in South India?
Yes, absolutely. Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai), TAPMI (Manipal), Christ University (Bengaluru) and LIBA (Chennai) are highly sought after institutes based in the south region.
6.Which MBA college is the best for Marketing and Communications through XAT?
MICA Ahmedabad is highly acknowledged as the best place for strategic marketing, advertising, and communication courses in India. Aspirants usually need an XAT percentile of 90-94 with good marks in their institution’s MICAT exam.
7.Is there any chance for me to be selected in a good MBA program with an XAT percentile of 80-90?
Yes, the percentile of 80-90 falls in a “sweet spot” which will enable you to enter reputed Tier-2 and Tier-3 institutions like Great Lakes Chennai, TAPMI Manipal, FORE New Delhi, GIM Goa, and K. J. Somaiya Mumbai.
8.Which XAT colleges offer the best ROI with low tuition fees?
Programs worth ₹11 Lakhs are available in many colleges like Rajagiri Business School (Kochi) and Delhi School of Business. The average salary package ranges between ₹7.50 LPA and ₹9.40 LPA. XISS Ranchi is another famous institution where one can enroll in Human Resources and Rural Management courses at ₹9 Lakhs fee.
9.Is XIM University (XIMB) a good option for XAT test-takers?
Yes, XIM University, Bhubaneswar, is a giant in the Tier-1/Tier-2 league of Eastern India. It enjoys good management history along with placements and recent average package stands at ₹19.53 LPA.
10.Which top institutes in Maharashtra accept XAT?
Except for SPJIMR & JBIMS which use CAT/MAH-CET, there are some good XAT-accepting business schools in Maharashtra such as K J Somaiya (Mumbai), Welingkar (Mumbai), SIES (Mumbai), and NIA (Pune).
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