Looking for the top MBA/PGDM colleges in Karnataka in 2026? Karnataka has over 62+ mba/pgdm colleges. Top government institutes include Karnataka State Open University, Krupanidhi College of Management, Rani Channamma University, IIPM Bengaluru, HMA , and leading private universities are Christ University Bangalore India, TAPMI Manipal, JAGSoM, Welingkar Bangalore, ISME Bangalore . These colleges offer MBA/PGDM, Master of Business Administration and other mba/pgdm programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as CAT , XAT , NMAT , GMAT , MAH MBA CET .
When selecting the best mba/pgdm colleges in Karnataka, 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 Karnataka 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Karnataka | 62+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | CAT , XAT , NMAT , GMAT , MAH MBA CET |
| Ownership | ~91% Private, ~9% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Deloitte, KPMG, Amazon, Infosys, Wipro |
| Average Fees | ₹ 18.0 K - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 4.00 L - ₹ 14.50 L |
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 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 Karnataka 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIMB | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| TAPMI Manipal | - | - | 42 |
| Christ University Bangalore India | 57 | 60 | 60 |
| Welingkar Bangalore | - | - | 73 |
Government vs Private MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 2026
MBA/PGDM aspirants in Karnataka 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 Karnataka 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Karnataka State Open University | ₹ 56.1 K - ₹ 80.0 K | - | - | - | - |
| Krupanidhi College of Management | ₹ 6.75 L - ₹ 8.15 L | CAT, XAT, GMAT, ATMA, CMAT, KMAT Karnataka | ₹ 8.70 L | ₹ 8.70 L | ₹ 24.00 L |
| Rani Channamma University | - | KMAT Karnataka | - | - | - |
| IIPM Bengaluru | ₹ 14.95 L | CAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, KMAT Karnataka | - | - | - |
| HMA | ₹ 4.55 L - ₹ 8.50 L | - | - | - | - |
Top Private MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Christ University Bangalore India | ₹ 6.78 L - ₹ 23.93 L | CAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, KMAT Karnataka, MAH MBA CET | - | - | - |
| TAPMI Manipal | ₹ 7.20 L - ₹ 19.87 L | CAT, XAT, NMAT | ₹ 12.80 L | ₹ 12.80 L | ₹ 28.50 L |
| JAGSoM | ₹ 14.00 L - ₹ 17.50 L | CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT | ₹ 8.40 L | ₹ 8.40 L | ₹ 12.00 L |
| Welingkar Bangalore | ₹ 16.61 L | CAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT | ₹ 11.10 L | ₹ 11.10 L | ₹ 17.60 L |
| CMS Business School | - | - | ₹ 8.60 L - ₹ 8.70 L | ₹ 8.60 L - ₹ 8.70 L | - |
Top Trending Courses in MBA/PGDM 2026
MBA/PGDM in Karnataka offers a wide range of courses to match industry demand and student interest. The most popular fields include Post Graduate Diploma in Management , Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Part Time) , Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) . 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 | ISBR Business School, Dayananda Sagar Institutions | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 9.0 K - ₹ 9.83 L | ₹ 2.80 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Part Time) | MCC | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 9.5 K - ₹ 16.02 L | ₹ 4.50 L - ₹ 7.80 L |
| Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) | Indian School of Business Management and Administration, Bangalore, IBS Bangalore | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 49.9 K - ₹ 22.65 L | ₹ 5.20 L - ₹ 17.80 L |
| Masters of Business Administration (MBA) | Imperial Institute of Advanced Management | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 39.0 K - ₹ 8.10 L | ₹ 2.98 L - ₹ 9.25 L |
| Master of Business Administration(MBA) | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 44.4 K - ₹ 14.38 L | ₹ 4.30 L - ₹ 8.75 L |
| MBA in Aviation Management | ISMS | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 10.03 L | ₹ 4.80 L - ₹ 6.50 L |
| MBA in Entrepreneurship | ISMS | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 40.0 K - ₹ 19.60 L | ₹ 5.20 L - ₹ 12.43 L |
| MBA in Retail Management | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 26.4 K - ₹ 16.25 L | ₹ 3.50 L - ₹ 12.43 L |
| Master of Business Administration | - | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 70.0 K - ₹ 6.00 L | ₹ 3.60 L - ₹ 8.32 L |
| MBA in Finance Management | IIBS Bangalore, GRVBMA, KCM | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET | ₹ 5.3 K - ₹ 21.29 L | ₹ 4.60 L - ₹ 8.48 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 2026
Admission to the top MBA/PGDM colleges in Karnataka is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| CAT | Christ University Bangalore India, TAPMI Manipal, JAGSoM | - |
| XAT | Christ University Bangalore India, TAPMI Manipal, JAGSoM | 4 Jan 2026 |
| NMAT | TAPMI Manipal, Indus Business Academy, CMS Jain University Bangalore | - |
| GMAT | JAGSoM, Krupanidhi College of Management, KCM | - |
| KMAT Karnataka | Christ University Bangalore India, ISME Bangalore, AIMS Institute | - |
| CMAT | Christ University Bangalore India, JAGSoM, Welingkar Bangalore | 25 Jan 2026 |
| ATMA | Christ University Bangalore India, Welingkar Bangalore, ISME Bangalore | - |
| SNAP | SIBM Bangalore, GRVBMA, Institute of Product Leadership | 6 Dec 2025 |
| MAH MBA CET | Christ University Bangalore India | - |
| IBSAT | IBS Bangalore | 27 Dec - 28 Dec 2025 |
| UGAT | ISME Bangalore | - |
State-wise & City-wise Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 2026
MBA/PGDM education in Karnataka varies by state and city, with some regions offering better institutions, private universities, and placement opportunities. Use the list below to explore the top MBA/PGDM colleges by state and city.
Top Cities for MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 2026
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Bangalore
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| JAGSoM | Private | CAT, XAT, GMAT |
| Welingkar Bangalore | Private | CAT, XAT, CMAT |
| Ramaiah Institute of Management | Private | CAT, XAT, KMAT Karnataka |
| Christ University Bangalore India | Private | CAT, XAT, MAH MBA CET |
| ISME Bangalore | Private | CAT, XAT, KMAT Karnataka |
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Mangalore
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| MITE | Private | KMAT Karnataka |
| A.J. Institute of Management | Private | KMAT Karnataka, CMAT |
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Mysore
| College | Ownership |
| Karnataka State Open University | Public/Government |
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Belgaum
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| Rani Channamma University | Public/Government | KMAT Karnataka |
Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Hubli-Dharwad
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| IBMR Business School Hubli | Private | XAT, ATMA, KMAT Karnataka |
FAQ About MBA/PGDM Colleges in Karnataka 2026
Which is the No.1 mba/pgdm college in Karnataka?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 mba/pgdm college in Karnataka is Karnataka State Open University , followed by Krupanidhi College of Management and Rani Channamma University .
Which entrance exam is required for mba/pgdm?
For admission to top mba/pgdm colleges in Karnataka, students primarily need to appear for CAT , XAT , NMAT , GMAT and MAH MBA CET .
What is the average mba/pgdm fee in Karnataka?
The average fees range from ₹ 18.0 K - ₹ 28.00 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 56.1 K - ₹ 80.0 K per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 6.78 L - ₹ 23.93 L per year.
Which private mba/pgdm college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Christ University Bangalore India and TAPMI Manipal and JAGSoM have the strongest placement records.