IIM vs XLRI: Which one to choose? NIRF Ranking, Placement, Courses, Fees, ROI

IIM vs XLRI: Which one to choose? NIRF Ranking, Placement, Courses, Fees, ROI

Edited By Alen Tom Shaji | Updated on Aug 21, 2024 11:31 AM IST | #XAT

IIM vs XLRI or IIM or XLRI is a dilemma MBA aspirants face. IIM and XLRI are top MBA colleges in India offering PGDM programmes. Both colleges have state-of-the-art infrastructure, quality education, excellent placement records, and a learning environment leading to the development of managerial skills. So IIM or XLRI is a choice one can make depending on career goals, course preferences, location, and other factors. Check out various aspects of IIM vs XLRI in this article to pick the right B-school.

IIMs offer a variety of MBA courses and have an admission process involving the Common Admission Test (CAT). Whereas, XLRI is known for its Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programmes and conducts the XAT for admissions. In short, IIM offers multiple business administration programmes with different specialisations. However, the XLRI mainly focuses on Human Resource Management. So, MBA aspirants who wish to choose the HRM field can opt for XLRI.

IIM vs XLRI for MBA Admission 2025

IIM or XLRI, is a tough choice for MBA aspirants. The basic difference between IIM and XLRI is the MBA entrance exam they accept.

Candidates looking for IIM or XLRI admission must know the total number of seats available in those institutes. As per the latest update, IIM offers MBA/PGDM admission in around 5000+ seats across 21 IIMs. In contrast, the XLRI total seat capacity is almost 700+.

As for the entrance exams, the total number of candidates applying for the CAT exam is around 3 lakh every year, while the XAT registrations are about 1.5 lakh. These statistical data outline the demand for securing a seat in these IIM or XLRI institutions.

XLRI vs IIMs: Which is better for MBA aspirants?

IIMs are the top institutes of national importance that offer a variety of management programmes. However, not all IIMs are equal in terms of reputation, quality, and placement. The old IIMs, such as IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, and Kozhikode, are considered the best with high rankings, faculty, infrastructure, and alumni network. On the other hand, the new and baby IIMs, such as IIM Shillong, Rohtak, Ranchi, Raipur, etc., are relatively newer and less established, with lower cut-offs, placements, and recognition.

Therefore, many MBA aspirants prefer XLRI over these new IIMs, as XLRI has a strong brand value in the field of human resource management. However, XLRI is not better than the old IIMs, as they have an edge over XLRI in terms of diversity in courses, exposure, and opportunities.

IIM vs XLRI: NIRF Ranking

As per the latest NIRF 2024 ranking, XLRI Jamshedpur is ranked 9th among all the management institutes in India. Moreover, MBA aspirants can check the various IIM NIRF ranking 2024 from the table below.

List of IIMs

NIRF 2024 Ranking

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

1

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

2

Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode

3

Indian Institute of Management Calcutta

5

Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai6

Indian Institute of Management Lucknow

7

Indian Institute of Management Indore

8

Indian Institute of Management Rohtak

12

Indian Institute of Management Raipur

14

Indian Institute of Management Ranchi

17

Indian Institute of Management Udaipur22
Indian Institute of Management Kashipur23
Indian Institute of Management Shillong24
Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam26
Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli27
Indian Institute of Management Nagpur31
Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya33
Indian Institute of Management Jammu42
Indian Institute of Management Amritsar47
Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur50
Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur57

IIM vs XLRI: Courses & fees

The details regarding the various IIM vs XLRI courses, along with the selection criteria, are mentioned in the table below.

IIM vs XLRI Courses and Fee Structure 2025

Particulars

IIM Courses

XLRI Courses

Courses

Duration

1 to 2 years

6 months to 5 years, depending on the XLRI courses.

Accepted entrance exam

CAT, GMAT, GRE

XAT, GMAT, and GRE

Fee structure

Rs. 20 Lakhs to Rs. 35 lakhs

Rs. 20 Lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs

XLRI PGDM course fee ranges from Rs. 14 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs. However, the IIM course fee starts at Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 30 lakhs. The MBA course fees vary from one institute to another.

Read more:

Great Lakes - PGPM & PGDM 2025

Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 1st Dec 2024

ISBR Business School PGDM Admissions 2025

180+ Companies | Highest CTC 15 LPA | Average CTC 7.5 LPA | Ranked as Platinum Institute by AICTE for 6 years in a row | Awarded Best Business School of the Year

IIM or XLRI: Eligibility

Candidates must fulfil the minimum eligibility requirements for applying to the MBA / PGDM / PGP courses. Check out the below table to know who can apply for the IIM vs XLRI management courses offered by the top B-schools in India.

IIM vs XLRI MBA or PGDM Eligibility Criteria

The IIMs and XLRI grade the work experience at the time of the selection process. Check the eligibility criteria for admission at IIM and XLRI below.

Particulars

IIM

XLRI

IIM vs XLRI Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in a relevant field from an approved university.


Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an approved university.


Age Limit

No age restriction

No age limit

Work Experience

Work experience is also considered an IIM eligibility criteria

Work experience is an XLRI eligibility criteria taken for PGDM programmes.

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IIM vs XLRI - Admission Process

Candidates who wish to apply for the MBA/PGDM/PGP programmes must know the admission criteria followed by the top B-schools in India. IIM accepts the CAT score as a selection criteria, and for XLRI Jamshedpur, the XAT result is considered. Apart from this, GMAT or GRE results are also considered based on the B-schools chosen by the candidates. Candidates can read the details on IIM vs XLRI admission process 2025 from the below table.

IIM vs XLRI Selection Process 2025-27

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and cutoff can participate in the selection process conducted by the institutes.

Particulars

IIM

XLRI

IIM vs XLRI cutoff

For general category: 90

For reserved category: 85

For general category: 95

For reserved category: 70

Selection Process

3 step selection process.

Step 1: shortlisting of candidates based on CAT score.

Step 2: Attend the WAT test or PI round.

Step 3: Release of IIM final result based on the calculation of composite score

3 step selection process.

Step 1: Candidates are shortlisted as per the XAT score.

Step 2: Shortlisted candidates must attend the GD and interview session.

Step 3: Declaration of XLRI result.

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XLRI vs IIM - ROI

  • MBA graduates from IIM and XLRI usually have a favorable return on investment (ROI) by considering the quality of education, placement opportunities, and salary packages. The course fees for IIM MBA specialization's vary between Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 30 lakhs. All the IIMs had a 100% placement record with an average annual package of Rs. 31 LPA. The IIM highest package offered is Rs. 1.15 crore.

  • XLRI provides admission in PGDM programmes with a course fee ranging from Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs. The final year graduates get placed in reputed firms with XLRI's highest salary package of around Rs. 78 lakhs. Therefore, both IIMs and XLRI offer good ROI for the students.

IIM vs XLRI - Placements

All IIMs and XLRI have made a 100% placement record by offering the final year students to get placed in various reputed organisations. Candidates can go through the below table to know the IIM vs XLRI salary packages as per the latest data available on the official websites.

IIM vs XLRI Placement

Particulars

IIM Lucknow

XLRI

Total number of offers made

570

463

Number of Recruiters

185+

120

Highest package

Rs. 58 LPA

Rs. 78.2 LPA

Average package

Rs. 31 LPA

Rs. 32.7 LPA

The IIM placement statistics, such as the highest and average package, can vary from one to another.

IIM vs XLRI: Recruiters

The below table shows the list of IIM vs XLRI recruiters who attended the final and summer placements.

IIM Top Recruiters

Accenture

Google

Amazon

HCL

Adobe

Citi

L &T

Myntra

KPMG

XLRI Top Recruiters

Amazon

Axis Bank

HDFC

Reliance

Infosys

Deloitte

Google

IBM

PwC

Also Read: XLRI Placements

IIM vs XLRI - Which one to choose?

IIM offers many full-time and part-time postgraduate and doctoral programmes in the field of management studies in around 21 institutes. Candidates who obtained a valid CAT score can join any of the IIMs based on their cutoff marks. As per the latest placement reports, students get an average package of Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 LPA in various IIM campus placements.

XLRI Delhi and Jamshedpur provide admission in PGDM programmes based on the XAT score. The XLRI also offers a similar placement salary package to graduates as compared to IIMs. The XLRI

IIM vs XLRI: Job and Salary Packages

An MBA / PGDM programme from premier institutions like IIM or XLRI offers countless opportunities for graduates to get hired by top multinational companies. Management programmes are designed to equip MBA aspirants with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the corporate world. The IIM placement salary package offered varies from new IIM to old IIM for different job roles. Similarly, the salary package is different for various job roles. The various job roles offered for the IIM vs XLRI graduates are mentioned below.

IIM vs XLRI Job Profiles

IIM Job roles

XLRI Job roles

Marketing Manager

Human Resource Manager

Management Consultant

Talent Management Specialist

Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Investment Banker

Operations and Supply Chain Management

Product Manager

SCM Consultant

Finance Specialist

Digital Marketing/Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the highest package offered by IIMs?

According to the latest final and summer placements published by various IIMs. The highest salary package offered starts at an amount of 1.15 crore to Rs. 30 lakhs. The IIM graduates also get placement offers from inside and outside India.

2. Which is the best IIM course?

The IIM offers online, full-time and part-time programmes such as MBA, PGP, Ph.D, FPM, Executive MBA, PGD. Candidates can choose any of the management programmes based on their interest and eligibility.

3. What is the highest package offered by IIMs?

According to the latest final and summer placements published by various IIMs. The highest salary package offered starts at an amount of 1.15 crore to Rs. 30 lakhs. The IIM graduates also get placement offers from inside and outside India.

4. What is the XLRI fee?

XLRI Jamshedpur and XLRI Delhi offer full-time and part-time MBA/PGDM programmes. XLRI course fee ranges from Rs. 20 Lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs.

5. Which is the best IIM course?

The IIM offers online, full-time and part-time programmes such as MBA, PGP, Ph.D, FPM, Executive MBA, PGD. Candidates can choose any of the management programmes based on their interest and eligibility.

6. What is the eligibility criteria for applying for the CAT / XAT entrance exam?

Candidates who passed any bachelor’s degree from an approved university with a minimum aggregate of 50% can apply for the entrance exam. Moreover, There is no age limit for attending the exams.

7. What is the XLRI fee?

XLRI Jamshedpur and XLRI Delhi offer full-time and part-time MBA/PGDM programmes. XLRI course fee ranges from Rs. 20 Lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs.

8. What is the eligibility criteria for applying for the CAT / XAT entrance exam?

Candidates who passed any bachelor’s degree from an approved university with a minimum aggregate of 50% can apply for the entrance exam. Moreover, There is no age limit for attending the exams.

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Questions related to XAT

Have a question related to XAT ?

Hello,

Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:

Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.

MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.

Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.

XAT scores are valid for 2 years hence you can easily download it again Visit the official website of XAT 2025 i.e xatonline.in. and then Click on 'scorecard' tab.login with your credentials XAT ID and password type the security text shown on screen. Click on candidate scorecard and download a PDF copy of the same hope it helps.

Hello

Here is the list of colleges you can get with 68%ile

JIMS Rohini Delhi
IMT Hyderabad
SOIL Institute of Management
Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur
Jaypee Business School
Dayananda Sagar Business School Bangalore
NSB Academy Bangalore
NDIM New Delhi

Hello Aspirant

Seeing your marks, it is evident you are good in academics. Thus, you can get into a good MBA college but mind you, it won't be easy because there are thousands of students who are as good as you, if not better. MBA colleges do not choose candidates solely based on academic performance, although it has a big weightage in their selection process. They test your presence of mind, intellect, and communication skills through Group Discussions and Interviews.

The safest way to get into a good MBA college is to score 96-97+ percentile and do really well in GD and  PI. Top MBA colleges in India are IIMs, XISS (Ranchi), TISS, Delhi School of Business, and Symbiosis.

Hope this helps

Hello Aspirant

Congratulations on your score, There are many good B schools at 80-85%ile in CAT and XAT
1)Great Lakes, Chennai
2)IRMA
3) Goa Institute of Management
4) NIBM
5) TAPMI
Do your research about these colleges as to what is their average package, the roles offered.

Colleges like NIBM specialize in Finance, and IRMA has a lot of sales marketing Roles. So ultimately the choice is yours which specialization you want to pursue.

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