Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    IIM Salary 2026: Which IIMs Paid the Highest MBA Salaries? A Two-Year Comparison

    IIM Salary 2026: Which IIMs Paid the Highest MBA Salaries? A Two-Year Comparison

    Sambhav ThakurUpdated on 03 Aug 2026, 11:12 AM IST

    IIM Salary Comparison 2026: Have the placements at IIMs improved or are starting to fall behind? 20 IIMs filed their placement data with NIRF for the purpose of NIRF 2026 ranking, and the numbers so filed tell a story that is easy to miss if you just focus on the placement percentages. Across 20 IIMs, placement percentage marginally declined from 99.92% to 99.41%. But the IIM median salary went from Rs. 21.33 LPA in 2022-23 to Rs. 20.60 LPA, then regained strength to Rs. 21.02 LPA in 2024-25; however, it is still 1-2% lower. Meanwhile, seat intake climbed from 7,320 to 8,548 during the same period.
    LATEST: 7 Out of 8 IITs MBA Salaries Fall | MBA Placement 2026 of 627 B-schools

    Live | Aug 3, 2026 | 11:20 AM IST
    IIM Salary 2026: Which IIMs Paid the Highest MBA Salaries? A Two-Year Comparison
    IIM Salary 2026: Which IIMs Paid the Highest MBA Salaries? A Two-Year Comparison

    However, the real story isn’t about average numbers furnished by the 20 IIMs, but the difference in placement outcomes highlighted in the NIRF 2026 data. As per the IIM placement data, IIM Calcutta median salary jumped 1.67% or by Rs. 5 lakhs, from Rs. 30 LPA in 2023-24 to Rs. 35 LPA in 2024-25, while IIM Amritsar median salary dropped from Rs. 15.6 LPA to Rs. 12.29 LPA, a drop of nearly 21% or Rs. 3.31 lakhs.This article will give you a much-needed understanding of the IIM placements that will help you to make informed choices.

    IIM Salary Comparison 2026: Which IIMs Paid the Highest MBA Salaries in Last 2 Years?

    The latest data submitted by the 20 IIMs to the National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF) highlights a mixed placement trend in the MBA job market. Between the MBA admission cycles of 2022-23 and 2024-25, the total seat intake increased from 7320 to 8548; similarly, the number of graduate students rose from 7180 to 8379.

    XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2027

    75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools

    IBSAT 2026-ICFAI Business School MBA/PGPM 2027

    AACSB Accredited | 40 LPA-Highest CTC | Scholarships worth 10 CR

    In addition to the above statistics, overall placed students also saw an increase from 7135 in 2022-23 to 8283 in 2024-25. However, the IIM placement growth rate did not keep up with the batch growth. The average median salary of 20 IIMs dropped from Rs. 21.33 LPA in 2022-23 to Rs. 20.60 LPA, and recovered marginally to Rs. 21.02 LPA in 2024-25.

    Past 10 years CAT Question Papers with Solutions
    Ace CAT with confidence! Download the Past 10 Years' CAT Question Papers with detailed answers to understand exam trends, improve accuracy, and maximize your percentile.
    Download Ebook

    Watch Careers360’s Video on IIM Salary Realty 2026

    Top IIMs Salary Reality 2026 ? | NIRF Median Salary & Placement Report | MBA360

    The IIM median salary, as highlighted in the latest NIRF data, has stagnated over the last three years, even though some IIMs increased their annual MBA tuition fees, impacting return on investment.

    IIM Particulars

    2022-23

    2023-24

    2024-25

    Intake

    7320

    7827

    8548

    Admitted (1st Year)

    7343

    7755

    8551

    Graduated

    7180

    7566

    8379

    Placed

    7135

    7501

    8283

    Higher Studies

    39

    44

    47

    Placement %

    99.92%

    99.72%

    99.41%

    Placement % Against Graduated

    99.37%

    99.14%

    98.85%

    Placement % Against Admitted

    97.17%

    96.72%

    96.87%

    Median Salary

    Rs. 21,33,907

    Rs. 20,60,688

    Rs. 21,02,378

    Check Out: Career Launcher OPEN CDC 2 | CL 2026 Road to 99 Percentile

    IIMs Salary Comparison of Last 2 Years: Growth, and Placement Percentage

    The “IIM” brand should not be treated as a single category, as salary outcomes differ substantially at different IIM campuses. While well-established IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bengaluru, IIM Calcutta, etc, continue to offer IIM median compensation exceeding Rs. 30 LPA, many other new and baby IIMs remain around Rs. 15 LPA, highlighting big differences.

    Following this wide gap, candidates are advised to focus on individual institutes rather than looking at the comparable placement records of the IIM ecosystem as one category.

    College Name

    Median salary 2023-24

    Median salary 2024-25

    Placement % 2024-25

    Diff (2023-24) vs (2024-25)

    IIM Calcutta

    Rs. 3000000

    Rs. 3500000

    100%

    +Rs. 500000

    IIM Ahmedabad

    Rs. 3100000

    Rs. 3300000

    100%

    +Rs. 200000

    IIM Sambalpur

    Rs. 1315000

    Rs. 1502692

    100%

    +Rs. 187692

    IIM Indore

    Rs. 2550000

    Rs. 2700000

    100%

    +Rs. 150000

    IIM Sirmaur

    Rs. 1298000

    Rs. 1420000

    100%

    +Rs. 122000

    IIM Nagpur

    Rs. 1600000

    Rs. 1703700

    100%

    +Rs. 103700

    IIM Lucknow

    Rs. 3000000

    Rs. 3100000

    100%

    +Rs. 100000

    IIM Mumbai

    Rs. 3300000

    Rs. 3400000

    100%

    +Rs. 100000

    IIM Raipur

    Rs. 1750000

    Rs.1840000

    96%

    +Rs. 90000

    IIM Jammu

    Rs. 1500000

    Rs. 1580000

    100%

    +Rs. 80000

    IIM Kozhikode

    Rs. 2700000

    Rs.2750000

    100%

    +Rs. 50000

    IIM Bangalore

    Rs. 3250000

    Rs. 3261000

    100%

    +Rs. 11000

    IIM Ranchi

    Rs. 1800000

    Rs. 1791000

    100%

    -Rs. 9000

    IIM Tiruchirappalli

    Rs. 1810000

    Rs. 1800000

    96%

    -Rs. 10000

    IIM Visakhapatnam

    Rs. 1550000

    Rs. 1500000

    98%

    -Rs. 50000

    IIM Kashipur

    Rs. 1503084

    Rs. 1446000

    98%

    -Rs. 57084

    IIM Shillong

    Rs. 2567000

    Rs. 2500000

    100%

    -Rs. 67000

    IIM Bodh Gaya

    Rs. 1300001

    Rs. 1212000

    100%

    -Rs. 88001

    IIM Udaipur

    Rs. 1800000

    Rs. 1709802

    99%

    -Rs. 90198

    IIM Amritsar

    Rs. 1560000

    Rs. 1229000

    100%

    -Rs. 331000

    IIM Salary Comparison 2026: Which IIMs Gained and Which Fell Behind?

    Check out which IIMs median salary grew and it declined for which ones.

    IIM Showing Increase in Median Salary

    IIM Calcutta

    +Rs. 500000

    IIM Ahmedabad

    +Rs. 200000

    IIM Sambalpur

    +Rs. 187692

    IIM Indore

    +Rs. 150000

    IIM Sirmaur

    +Rs. 122000

    IIM Nagpur

    +Rs. 103700

    IIM with Decline in Median Salary

    IIM Amritsar

    -Rs. 331000

    IIM Udaipur

    -Rs. 90198

    IIM Bodh Gaya

    -Rs. 88001

    IIM Shillong

    -Rs. 67000

    IIM Kashipur

    -Rs. 57084

    IIM Visakhapatnam

    -Rs. 50000

    Does 100% Placement Tell the Full Story?

    These numbers deserve your attention, as many IIM institutions continue to report 100% placement, but the decline in median salary and other placement statistics significantly impacts the students' career outcomes, where the lowest package can drop as low as Rs. 7-8 LPA in several IIMs. In such a case, placement outcomes and return on investment deserve equal attention, as several IIMs have increased their tuition fees in the recent past.

    Rising Fees Could Stretch the Payback Period

    MBA aspirants, the best in the country, scoring in the 97 to 99 percentile, graduating from an IIM with a median salary ranging between Rs. 12 and 15 LPA, while the tuition fees exceed Rs. 20 lakh, the repayment of the loan could take a significantly longer time. The lower placement outcomes offered by institutions may stretch the financial payback period, which particularly hurts students with education loans.

    Should Aspirants Consider Private B-Schools?

    Students are advised to compare IIMs with leading private colleges like MDI, Gurgaon, SPJIMR, etc, as they outperform many of the new or baby IIMs in terms of placement outcomes. Going beyond the IIM brand and focusing realistically on salary outcomes can genuinely help students get better median salaries compared to what is offered by IIMs in recent years. However, students must keep their options open and analyse colleges individually.

    At the end, students are advised to focus on a wider range of elements beyond the IIM brand name amid an increasingly diversified IIM ecosystem. This does not mean IIM placement rate is of no use, but it should be complemented with an analysis of IIM tuition fees, placement outcomes, and a calculation of return on investment to paint a long-term picture.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Do all IIMs report 100% placements?
    A:

    No, several IIMs have recorded a 100% placement rate, but some institutes reported slightly lower rates; for instance, IIM Raipur and IIM Trichy at 96%, IIM Visakhapatnam and IIM Kashipur at 98%, and IIM Udaipur at 99%. 

    Q: What is the IIM median salary?
    A:

    The average median salary at IIMs reported a marginal decline in the NIRF 2026 data. The salary was Rs. 21,33,907 in 2022-23 and it dropped to Rs. 21,02,378 in 2024-25. 

    Q: Which IIMs paid median salaries under Rs 15 lakh?
    A:

    Some of the new and baby IIMs like IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Sirmaur, and IIM Visakhapatnam had IIM salary under 15 lakh. 

    Articles
    |
    Certifications By Top Providers
    Online MBA
    Via Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar
    Corporate Tax Planning
    Via Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkata
    Strategic Management
    Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
    Online MBA Business Analytics
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
    Digital Marketing
    Via Panjab University, Chandigarh
    Online MBA
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe
    University of Essex, Colchester
    Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
    Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
    Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
    Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
    Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
    Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
    Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
    University of Reading, Reading
    Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
    Bournemouth University, Bournemouth
    Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom

    Questions related to CAT

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to CAT ?

    Hello,

    Yes, MBBS and BDS seats are available through Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat (KSB) for wards of categories of Defence personnel. You can check more at ksb.gov.in/admission-mbbs-bds-colleges.htm.htm

    Hello Dear Student,
    An SC rank of 82 in a Common Entrance Test (CET) is highly competitive and typically guarantees admission into top-tier state universities, central universities, or highly-ranked private institutions. Whether a specific seat is currently available depends directly on the exact university's counselling schedule. Many institutes require you

    If by OC you mean Open Category/General category in India, and you have 95%+ throughout your academics (Class 10, Class 12, and graduation) , then your CAT percentile target depends on the B-schools you're aiming for.

    Here's a general guideline:

    Target B-school Safe CAT Percentile (General Category)
    Indian Institute of

    Hello Dear Student,

    Low-Tier IIIT CSE vs Jadavpur University B.Arch (for MBA Aspirants)

    If your primary goal is to pursue an MBA later, switching from CSE at a lower-tier IIIT to B.Arch at Jadavpur University solely for academic diversity is generally not the best strategy.

    B.Arch and MBA Preparation

    • B.Arch

    Hello Dear Student,

    EWS eligibility for CAT 2025-26 hinges on current financial records, but a renewed certificate is required for final IIM admissions. If future income exceeds the 8 lakh threshold, candidates will likely lose EWS status and be reclassified to the General category rather than facing seat cancellation.

    Hope