Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and one of India’s most prominent metropolitan cities, has established itself as a thriving educational and corporate destination in South India. The city is home to top-ranked B-schools, including government institutions, private universities, and autonomous management colleges offering MBA and PGDM programs. With strong industry connect, rising start-up activity, and a hub of IT, manufacturing, and service industries, Chennai offers MBA aspirants exposure to real-world business challenges, internships, and consistent campus placement records.
This comprehensive guide lists the top MBA and PGDM colleges in Chennai for 2026 based on fees, specializations, placements, recruiters, infrastructure, and admission processes.
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai – Overview
| College Name | Type | Affiliation | Approx Fees (Total) | Accreditation |
| Department of Management Studies (DOMS), IIT Madras | Government | IIT Madras – Autonomous | ₹2.6 – ₹2.8 Lakh | AACSB, AMBA, AICTE |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Private | Autonomous (PGDM & PGPM) | ₹11.8 – ₹19.0 Lakh | AMBA, AICTE, NBA |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) | Private | Affiliated to University of Madras | ₹15.2 Lakh | AICTE, SAQS, NBA |
| Anna University – CEG Campus | Government | Anna University | ₹60,000 – ₹70,000 | UGC, AICTE |
| SRM School of Management | Private | SRM Institute of Science & Tech | ₹3.8 – ₹5.0 Lakh | NAAC A++, AICTE, UGC |
| VIT Business School (VIT Chennai) | Private | VIT University | ₹6.9 – ₹7.2 Lakh | AICTE, UGC, NBA |
| Bharath Institute of Higher Education | Private | Deemed-to-be University | ₹2.5 – ₹3.0 Lakh | UGC, AICTE |
| Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science | Private | Deemed-to-be University | ₹3.5 – ₹4.0 Lakh | AICTE, UGC |
| Crescent School of Business (CSB) | Private | BSA Crescent University | ₹7.0 – ₹7.5 Lakh | AICTE, UGC |
Course-Wise Fees Comparison (Popular Specializations)
| College | Marketing | Finance | HRM | Business Analytics / IT |
| IIT Madras – DoMS | ₹2.8 Lakh | ₹2.8 Lakh | ₹2.8 Lakh | ₹2.8 Lakh |
| Great Lakes (PGPM/PGDM) | ₹19 Lakh | ₹18 Lakh | ₹18.5 Lakh | ₹19 Lakh |
| LIBA | ₹15.2 Lakh | ₹15.2 Lakh | ₹15.2 Lakh | ₹15.2 Lakh |
| VIT Business School | ₹7.2 Lakh | ₹7.0 Lakh | ₹6.9 Lakh | ₹7.2 Lakh |
| SRM School of Management | ₹4.5 Lakh | ₹4.5 Lakh | ₹4.3 Lakh | ₹4.7 Lakh |
| Hindustan University | ₹4.0 Lakh | ₹3.8 Lakh | ₹3.6 Lakh | ₹4.0 Lakh |
| Crescent School of Business | ₹7.5 Lakh | ₹7.5 Lakh | ₹7.3 Lakh | ₹7.5 Lakh |
Top Recruiters & Placement Packages
| College | Top Recruiters | Avg. Package | Highest Package |
| IIT Madras – DoMS | McKinsey, BCG, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon | ₹17.5 LPA | ₹34 LPA |
| Great Lakes | Deloitte, EY, HUL, Infosys, HSBC, TCS, ZS Associates | ₹12.5 LPA | ₹32 LPA |
| LIBA | Asian Paints, HDFC, Cognizant, TCS, ICICI, Infosys | ₹9 LPA | ₹18 LPA |
| Anna University | TCS, HCL, Sundaram Finance, TVS, Ashok Leyland | ₹6.5 LPA | ₹12 LPA |
| VIT Business School | KPMG, Accenture, Capgemini, Zoho, Cognizant | ₹6.2 LPA | ₹10 LPA |
| SRM School of Mgmt. | Deloitte, ICICI Bank, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Federal Bank | ₹5.8 LPA | ₹9.8 LPA |
| CSB (Crescent) | Zoho, Axis Bank, Tiger Analytics, MRF, Ramco Systems | ₹7.2 LPA | ₹14 LPA |
Specializations Offered
| College | Specializations Offered |
| IIT Madras – DoMS | General MBA, Analytics, Operations, HRM, Finance, Marketing |
| Great Lakes Institute | PGPM (One Year), PGDM (Two Years), Analytics, AI, Finance, HRM, Digital Strategy |
| LIBA | Finance, Marketing, HRM, General Mgmt., Business Ethics, Entrepreneurship |
| Anna University | Finance, Systems, HRM, Operations, Marketing |
| SRM School of Management | Marketing, HRM, Logistics, Business Analytics, Finance |
| VIT Business School | Finance, Marketing, HRM, Operations, IT, Analytics |
| Crescent School of Business | General Management, Marketing, HRM, Entrepreneurship |
Government vs Private – Admission Flexibility & Value
| Feature | Government Colleges (IITM, Anna University) | Private Colleges (Great Lakes, LIBA, VIT) |
| Entrance Required | Yes (CAT for IITM, TANCET for Anna Univ.) | Yes (CAT/XAT/GMAT/MAT/CMAT, or their own test) |
| Scholarships Offered | Yes (National/State Merit, Minority) | Yes (Merit + Work Experience + Financial Need) |
| ROI | Very High | Moderate to High depending on college |
| Global Exposure | Moderate (IITM higher) | High (Exchange Programs, Global Internships) |
Hostel Facilities & Fees
| College | Hostel Fees (Annual) | Amenities Offered |
| IIT Madras | ₹30,000 – ₹40,000 | Shared Rooms, Mess, Study Hall, Sports Complex |
| Great Lakes | ₹1.8 – ₹2.2 Lakh | AC Rooms, Wi-Fi, Laundry, Gym, Lake-side Campus |
| LIBA | ₹85,000 – ₹1.2 Lakh | Wi-Fi, Cafeteria, Prayer Room, Study Area |
| Anna University | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 | Basic Rooms, Reading Halls, Government Mess |
| VIT Chennai | ₹80,000 – ₹1.1 Lakh | Hostel Canteen, Wi-Fi, Laundry, Gym |
| SRM University | ₹1.0 – ₹1.3 Lakh | AC/Non-AC Options, Mess, Café, 24×7 Security |
| Crescent School of Business | ₹90,000 – ₹1.2 Lakh | Shared Rooms, Gym, Common Room, Cafeteria |
Admission Pathways & Entrance Exams
| College | Admission Criteria | Entrance Exams Accepted |
| IIT Madras – DoMS | CAT + Interview | CAT |
| Great Lakes Institute | CAT/XAT/GMAT + WAT/PI | CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT |
| LIBA | CAT/XAT/CMAT + Group Discussion + PI | CAT, XAT, CMAT |
| Anna University | TANCET + Counseling | TANCET |
| VIT Business School | VITEEE MBA + Interview | CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, VIT Test |
| SRM School of Mgmt. | Entrance or Direct + Interview | SRMJEEM, CAT, MAT, XAT |
| Crescent School of Business | Entrance + Profile-Based Shortlist | CAT, XAT, GMAT |
FAQs
- Which is the top MBA college in Chennai?
IIT Madras – Department of Management Studies is the top government MBA institution in Chennai with exceptional ROI and global recognition. - Is Great Lakes PGPM better than PGDM?
PGPM is a one-year flagship program for experienced professionals; PGDM is for freshers. Both are highly ranked nationally. - Can I get admission without CAT in Chennai MBA colleges?
Yes, colleges like SRM, Crescent, and VIT offer admission through their own tests or via MAT/CMAT. - What is the average MBA fee in Chennai?
MBA/PGDM fees range from ₹60,000 (Govt.) to ₹19 Lakh (Top Private B-schools). - Do Chennai MBA colleges offer international exposure?
Yes, top private institutes offer foreign internships, exchange programs, and global immersion modules. - What’s the average placement package for MBA in Chennai?
It varies from ₹5 LPA to ₹17.5 LPA, depending on college, program, and specialization.
Conclusion
Chennai is a dynamic destination for MBA and PGDM aspirants, offering world-class academics, practical exposure, and a robust placement ecosystem. Whether you aim for elite institutions like IIT Madras and Great Lakes or cost-effective options like Anna University or VIT, Chennai offers something for every management aspirant. Make sure to align your specialization and entrance exam performance with your long-term career goals.
Focus on building your profile, communication skills, and industry exposure. Participate in live projects, summer internships, and business fests to stand out in B-school and beyond.
Internal Link Suggestions
- [Top MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026 – Rankings & Placement]
- [MAT vs CAT: Which Entrance Exam Should You Take?]
- [Direct MBA Admission Without Entrance Exam – Full List 2026]
- [Top 10 Affordable MBA Colleges in India with High ROI]
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