Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu, is among South India’s foremost industrial and educational centers. With a blend of top government schools, established private B-schools, robust corporate presence, and a thriving IT/automotive industry, Chennai is a prime destination for MBA aspirants in 2026.
Why Choose Chennai for MBA?
- Academic Excellence: Home to IIT Madras (DoMS), LIBA, Great Lakes, and other reputed B-Schools
- Corporate & Industrial Base: Headquarters of MNCs like Cognizant, Hyundai, TVS, and Ford
- Affordable Education: Lower cost of living and education than cities like Mumbai or Bangalore
- Industry Exposure: Internships and placement opportunities across IT, finance, and manufacturing
- Global Linkages: Many B-schools offer international exchange and executive programs
Top MBA Colleges in Chennai 2026
| College Name | Established | Avg. Fees (2 years) | Avg. Placement | Top Recruiters |
| DoMS – IIT Madras | 2004 | ₹8 lakh | ₹18.1 LPA | BCG, EY, McKinsey, Infosys |
| Great Lakes Institute of Mgmt | 2004 | ₹19.9 lakh | ₹14.5 LPA | Deloitte, HUL, ZS Associates |
| LIBA – Loyola Institute | 1979 | ₹17.4 lakh | ₹10.6 LPA | Accenture, EY, TCS, ICICI |
| IFMR GSB – Krea University | 1970 | ₹14.56 lakh | ₹12 LPA | JP Morgan, Deloitte, Infosys |
| SRM School of Management | 1993 | ₹4.5 lakh | ₹5.6 LPA | HDFC Bank, Cognizant, Wipro |
| VIT Business School (Chennai) | 1994 | ₹7.0 lakh | ₹6.8 LPA | Amazon, TCS, EY, Byju’s |
| Saveetha School of Management | 2008 | ₹3.6 lakh | ₹4.5 LPA | Zoho, Tech Mahindra, Tata Elxsi |
Popular MBA Specializations in Chennai
| Specialization | Top Colleges |
| Finance | IIT Madras, LIBA, IFMR GSB |
| Marketing | Great Lakes, LIBA, SRM |
| Business Analytics | Great Lakes, IFMR GSB, IIT Madras |
| Human Resources | LIBA, SRM, VIT |
| Operations Management | IIT Madras, VIT |
| International Business | LIBA, VIT, Great Lakes |
Entrance Exams Accepted
| Exam | Colleges Accepting |
| CAT | IIT Madras, Great Lakes, LIBA, IFMR GSB |
| XAT | LIBA, Great Lakes, IFMR |
| CMAT | SRM, VIT, Saveetha |
| NMAT | IFMR, Great Lakes |
| University Level | SRM, Saveetha, VIT (own entrance exam + merit) |
MBA Fees Comparison
| College Name | Fees (Total 2 Years) |
| IIT Madras (DoMS) | ₹8 lakh |
| Great Lakes | ₹19.9 lakh |
| LIBA | ₹17.4 lakh |
| IFMR GSB | ₹14.56 lakh |
| SRM School of Mgmt | ₹4.5 lakh |
| VIT Business School | ₹7.0 lakh |
| Saveetha School of Mgmt | ₹3.6 lakh |
Placement Trends
| College | Avg. Package | Highest Package |
| IIT Madras (DoMS) | ₹18.1 LPA | ₹36 LPA |
| Great Lakes | ₹14.5 LPA | ₹34 LPA |
| LIBA | ₹10.6 LPA | ₹20 LPA |
| IFMR GSB | ₹12 LPA | ₹21 LPA |
| SRM | ₹5.6 LPA | ₹9.5 LPA |
| VIT Business School | ₹6.8 LPA | ₹10.2 LPA |
| Saveetha | ₹4.5 LPA | ₹7 LPA |
Hostel Facilities & Fees
| College | Hostel Fees (Annual) | Facilities |
| IIT Madras | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 | Shared rooms, Wi-Fi, Mess, Sports Complex |
| Great Lakes | ₹1.8 lakh | AC Rooms, Wi-Fi, Cafeteria, Sports, Medical |
| LIBA | ₹1 lakh | Library, Gym, Cafeteria, Chapel |
| IFMR GSB | ₹1.5 lakh | Hostel + Food, Green Campus, Gym |
| SRM | ₹70,000 – ₹90,000 | AC/Non-AC, 24/7 Security, Cafeteria |
| VIT | ₹80,000 | Shared/Single, Wi-Fi, Laundry, Gym |
| Saveetha | ₹60,000 | Mess, Sports, Library |
Top Recruiters from Chennai MBA Colleges
| Company Name | Roles Offered |
| Deloitte | Analyst, Consultant |
| Amazon | Operations Manager, PM |
| EY | Risk Analyst, Business Analyst |
| Infosys | HR, Analyst, Strategy Roles |
| HDFC Bank | Credit Analyst, RM |
| TCS | Project Manager, Analyst |
| ZS Associates | Consultant, Business Analyst |
Alternative PG Courses in Chennai
| Course Name | Institutes Offering |
| PGDM | LIBA, Great Lakes, SRM |
| Executive MBA | Great Lakes, IIT Madras |
| M.Com | University of Madras, SRM |
| MA Economics | IFMR, University of Madras |
Admission Process for MBA in Chennai 2026
-
- Eligibility: Graduation with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST)
- Entrance Exams: CAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, or university-based entrance
- Application Period: October 2024 – March 2025
- Eligibility: Graduation with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST)
- Selection Process:
✔ Entrance Exam Score
✔ Group Discussion (GD)
✔ Personal Interview (PI)
✔ SOP or Written Ability Test (in some cases)
My Career Mantra
MBA is not a degree—it’s a network, an attitude, and a launchpad. Pick a college not on rankings, but on fit. Chennai offers you great choices—use internships, alumni, and corporate alliances judiciously to create a worthwhile career.
FAQs: MBA in Chennai
Q1. Which MBA college in Chennai has best ROI?
👉 IIT Madras and LIBA offer strong ROI due to relatively low fees and high packages.
Q2. Can I do MBA in Chennai without CAT?
👉 Yes. Colleges like SRM, VIT, Saveetha accept CMAT/MAT or direct admission.
Q3. What is the average MBA fee in Chennai?
👉 ₹3–₹15 lakh depending on the college.
Q4. Are scholarships available for MBA in Chennai?
👉 Yes, based on entrance score, academic performance, or financial need.
Q5. Best MBA colleges in Chennai for Business Analytics?
👉 Great Lakes, IFMR, and IIT Madras.
Q6. Is Chennai a student-friendly city?
👉 Yes. Safe, well-connected, and a tech-industrial hub with good climate and living conditions.
Conclusion
Chennai is one of India’s top choices for MBA hopefuls with its deep industrial heritage, robust academia, and value-for-money education. From top-notch institutions to affordable options, the city has something to offer each career ambition.
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