Looking for the top MBA/PGDM colleges in Chennai in 2026? Chennai has over 19+ mba/pgdm colleges. Top government institutes include Madras University, Natesan Institute of Co-Operative Management, TNOU , and leading private universities are Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai, LIBA Chennai, IIKM, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, SIMS College Chennai . These colleges offer MBA/PGDM, BBA and other mba/pgdm programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as CAT , XAT , NMAT , GMAT , ATMA .
When selecting the best mba/pgdm colleges in Chennai, students should consider factors such as NIRF rankings, placement records, return on investment (ROI), location, faculty, and specializations. This guide highlights the top-ranked mba/pgdm colleges in Chennai 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Chennai | 19+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | CAT , XAT , NMAT , GMAT , ATMA |
| Ownership | ~82% Private, ~18% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Cognizant, HCL, HDFC Bank, Accenture, Airtel |
| Average Fees | ₹ 6.8 K - ₹ 22.65 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 4.60 L - ₹ 17.80 L |
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai by Rankings 2026
The NIRF 2025 is the most trusted ranking for mba/pgdm colleges in India, evaluating institutes on teaching, research, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception. Below are the top 10 mba/pgdm colleges in Chennai 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai | - | 34 | 31 |
| LIBA Chennai | 55 | 66 | - |
Government vs Private MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2026
MBA/PGDM aspirants in Chennai can choose between government-funded institutes known for their affordability and high ROI, and private universities that offer modern infrastructure, global exposure, and multiple entrance options. The comparison below will help you determine which path best aligns with your academic and career goals.
Top Government MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Madras University | ₹ 6.8 K - ₹ 3.50 L | TANCET | ₹ 4.60 L | ₹ 4.60 L | ₹ 26.00 L |
| Natesan Institute of Co-Operative Management | - | TANCET | - | - | - |
| TNOU | ₹ 23.4 K - ₹ 60.0 K | - | - | - | - |
Top Private MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai | ₹ 22.50 L - ₹ 22.65 L | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT | ₹ 17.80 L | ₹ 17.80 L | ₹ 30.80 L |
| LIBA Chennai | ₹ 18.89 L | CAT, XAT | ₹ 11.20 L | ₹ 11.20 L | ₹ 21.00 L |
| IIKM | ₹ 4.00 L - ₹ 11.42 L | CAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, TANCET | - | - | - |
| Rajalakshmi Engineering College | ₹ 35.0 K | TANCET | - | - | - |
| SIMS College Chennai | ₹ 1.50 L | TANCET | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in MBA/PGDM 2026
MBA/PGDM in Chennai offers a wide range of courses to match industry demand and student interest. The most popular fields include Post Graduate Diploma in Management , MBA in Financial Management , Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Part Time) . The table below highlights the top courses, their leading colleges, entrance exams, average fees, and placement packages.
| Course | Top Colleges | Entrance Exams | Average Fees (Total) | Average Package |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Management | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 9.0 K - ₹ 19.40 L | ₹ 2.80 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| MBA in Financial Management | Madras University | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 20.0 K - ₹ 14.38 L | ₹ 6.00 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Part Time) | TNOU | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 9.5 K - ₹ 16.02 L | ₹ 4.50 L - ₹ 7.80 L |
| Executive MBA | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 20.2 K - ₹ 24.54 L | ₹ 4.00 L - ₹ 7.90 L |
| Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) | Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai, Indian School of Business Management and Administration, Chennai | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 49.9 K - ₹ 22.65 L | ₹ 5.20 L - ₹ 17.80 L |
| MBA in Agri. Business Management | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 17.23 L | ₹ 3.50 L - ₹ 12.60 L |
| Masters of Business Administration (MBA) | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 39.0 K - ₹ 12.03 L | ₹ 2.98 L - ₹ 9.25 L |
| Master of Business Administration(MBA) | Natesan Institute of Co-Operative Management | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 44.4 K - ₹ 14.38 L | ₹ 4.30 L - ₹ 8.75 L |
| MBA in Human Resource | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 59.1 K - ₹ 21.29 L | ₹ 4.30 L - ₹ 12.63 L |
| MBA in Retail Management | TNOU | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 26.4 K - ₹ 16.25 L | ₹ 3.50 L - ₹ 10.80 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2026
Admission to the top MBA/PGDM colleges in Chennai is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| CAT | Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai, LIBA Chennai, IIKM | 30 Nov 2025 |
| XAT | Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai, LIBA Chennai, IIKM | 4 Jan 2026 |
| NMAT | Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai | 5 Nov 2025 - 23 Dec 2025 |
| GMAT | Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai | - |
| TANCET | Madras University, IIKM, Rajalakshmi Engineering College | - |
| ATMA | IIKM, Crescent School of Business, MCC BTSB | - |
| CMAT | IIKM, Crescent School of Business, MCC BTSB | 25 Jan 2026 |
FAQ About MBA/PGDM Colleges in Chennai 2026
Which is the No.1 mba/pgdm college in Chennai?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 mba/pgdm college in Chennai is Madras University , followed by Natesan Institute of Co-Operative Management and TNOU .
Which entrance exam is required for mba/pgdm?
For admission to top mba/pgdm colleges in Chennai, students primarily need to appear for CAT , XAT , NMAT , GMAT and ATMA .
What is the average mba/pgdm fee in Chennai?
The average fees range from ₹ 6.8 K - ₹ 22.65 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 6.8 K - ₹ 3.50 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 22.50 L - ₹ 22.65 L per year.
Which private mba/pgdm college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai and LIBA Chennai and IIKM have the strongest placement records.