Compare PGDM and Diploma: 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.
PGDM graduates report a higher typical average salary (₹ 32.1 L vs ₹ 4.6 L for Diploma).
Diploma is the more affordable option (typical fees ₹ 7.5 L vs ₹ 16.3 L for PGDM). Government colleges bring it to about ₹ 3.8 L.
One year of average salary for PGDM covers about 2.0× its average fees, compared with 0.6× for Diploma.
PGDM admits via XAT, CAT and 8+ more; Diploma admits via CBSE Class 10 Exam, CUET and 2 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 higher average salary (₹ 32.1 L) and better salary-to-fees ratio (2.0×). Diploma has the edge on lower average fees (₹ 7.5 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/12th
Top Entrance Exams
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 32.1 L
Median Salary
₹ 31.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 5.5 K - ₹ 32.5 L
Top Recruiters
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 16.8 K - ₹ 9.0 L
Median Salary
₹ 2.0 L - ₹ 10.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 650.0 - ₹ 15.0 L
Top Recruiters
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For PGDM, the most frequently associated entrance exams (by programme–college hits) 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.
For Diploma, the most frequently associated entrance exams are: CBSE Class 10 Exam, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam, AP Polycet. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
PGDM shows a higher midpoint within its salary span (₹32,10,000) than Diploma (₹16,826 – ₹9,00,000).
Diploma has a lower midpoint within its fees span (₹650 – ₹15,00,000) than PGDM (₹5,500 – ₹32,54,000).
The most common duration shown is 2 years for PGDM and 1 year for Diploma.
