Compare Certificate and PGDM: eligibility, entrance exams, salaries, recruiters, and FAQs.
Based on salary, fees, return on fees, admission routes and career options. Figures are midpoints of the ranges reported across colleges.
Certificate graduates report a higher typical average salary (₹ 37.3 L vs ₹ 32.1 L for PGDM).
PGDM is the more affordable option (typical fees ₹ 16.3 L vs ₹ 1.1 Cr for Certificate). Government colleges bring it to about ₹ 14.0 L.
One year of average salary for PGDM covers about 2.0× its average fees, compared with 0.3× for Certificate.
Certificate admits via CBSE Class 12 Exam, CBSE Class 10 Exam and 8+ more; PGDM admits via XAT, CAT and 8+ more.
Comes out ahead on the most parameters in this comparison.
A good pick if its strengths match your priorities.
Match the choice to what matters most to you.
PGDM leads on lower average fees (₹ 16.3 L) and better salary-to-fees ratio (2.0×). Certificate has the edge on higher average salary (₹ 37.3 L). Weigh these against your eligibility, preferred entrance exams and career interests.
College
XLRI
Fees: ₹ 14.0 L - ₹ 30.6 L
Salary: ₹ 24.0 L - ₹ 29.0 L
Courses: 5
College
SP Jain (SPJIMR)
Fees: ₹ 10.0 L - ₹ 24.9 L
Salary: ₹ 30.0 L - ₹ 31.0 L
Courses: 3
College
MDI Gurgaon
Fees: ₹ 9.0 L - ₹ 32.5 L
Salary: ₹ 21.6 L - ₹ 26.2 L
Courses: 9
University
Aligarh Muslim University
Fees: -
Salary: -
Courses: 1
College
XLRI Delhi
Fees: ₹ 16.5 L - ₹ 30.6 L
Salary: -
Courses: 2
Eligibility
10th / 10+2
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 37.3 L
Median Salary
₹ 26.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 1.1 Cr
Top Recruiters
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 32.1 L
Median Salary
₹ 31.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 5.5 K - ₹ 32.5 L
Top Recruiters
For Certificate, the most frequently associated entrance exams (by programme–college hits) are: CBSE Class 12 Exam, CBSE Class 10 Exam, CUET, CAT, ATMA, XAT, CMAT, AIMA MAT, KMAT Karnataka, MAH MBA CET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
For PGDM, the most frequently associated entrance exams are: XAT, CAT, ATMA, CMAT, GMAT, AIMA MAT, TANCET, NMAT, MAH MBA CET, MHT CET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
Certificate shows a higher midpoint within its salary span (₹37,29,000) than PGDM (₹32,10,000).
PGDM has a lower midpoint within its fees span (₹5,500 – ₹32,54,000) than Certificate (₹1,14,28,000).
The most common duration shown is 6 months for Certificate and 2 years for PGDM.
