Top 10 Business Schools Beyond IIMs

Getting into an IIM is no easy feat. With perseverance, confidence, and hard work, you can approach this institution. However, if you want alternative options beyond IIMs, we are discussing the best ones in this article.

Table of Contents

Top 10 B-Schools to Target Beyond IIMs
Final Thoughts

Beyond IIM, you should have a list of options for business schools and management courses. You may go for the latter for any reason- insufficient scores, not eligible for admission, high fees, shifting issues etc. That’s why having a list of alternative options, aka non-IIM B-schools, will be helpful. In this article, we are listing the top 10 B-schools beyond IIMs that deliver excellent ROI, strong placements, and good reputations.

Also Check - Institutions Offering the Best Online or Distance MBA in India

Top 10 B-Schools to Target Beyond IIMs

Here are 10 top B-schools you should consider, along with stats and what makes them stand out:

B-School	Why It’s Strong / Key Stats
1. SPJIMR, Mumbai	According to IIRF 2025 rankings , SPJIMR is #1 among private B-schools. In the 2027 internship season, their PGDM class secured average stipends of Rs. 1.66 lakh/month.
2. XLRI, Jamshedpur	It ranked consistently among the top 3-5 non-IIMs in NIRF and private MBA rankings . It offers strong programs and top placement deals (Rs. 30-35 LPA and above in many batches).
3. MDI, Gurgaon	MDI is among the top non-IIMs per NIRF & IIRF. Its average packages are often around Rs. 25-30 LPA. It is known for quality faculty, strong consulting/finance placements.
4. NMIMS SBM, Mumbai	It is a private B-school with diversity in specialisations (e.g., Analytics, HR, Marketing) and solid average salaries. NMIMS is ranked in the top 30 and recruits well in multiple sectors.
5. IIT Delhi – DMS	Even though IITs are public, their management departments are non-IIM options. DMS IIT Delhi gets very good placements (100% in some batches), high packages in CSE/Analytics management roles. (Source: SelfStudys )
6. IIFT, New Delhi	IIFT has a strong reputation for international trade/commerce and niche specialisations. It offers steady placement stats and recruiter interest. It’s part of the non-IIM top lists. (Source: The Indian Express )
7. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Bangalore	It’s a well-known private B-school. It has placements in multiple domains and offers good average salaries. It often ranks among the top private colleges.
8. IMT Ghaziabad	IMT is strong in marketing, operations & leadership training. Recognised in private B-school rankings, it has a good ROI. (Source: PW Live )
9. Woxsen School of Business, Hyderabad	It’s an emerging B-school that has moved up in recent IIRF/NIRF private B-school lists. Good infrastructure Increasing recruiter presence. (Source: Moneycontrol )
10. International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi	One of the older non-IIM management institutes, it has a solid brand, a good mix of specialisations, strong alumni, and decent placement records.

Also Check - MBA Abroad vs IIM-MBA: What Really Sets Them Apart?

Final Thoughts

If IIMs are out of reach this time, aiming for any of the above 10 B-schools is definitely strong. Among them, your best bet is those with:

Clear track record of placements in your target domain
Fee vs earning potential that works for your situation
Good exposure (internships, peer learning, alumni network)

Ultimately, success depends less on the brand and more on how you utilise resources, build skills, network, and perform during the MBA . These top non-IIMs can absolutely give you excellent pathways, sometimes ones that rival or even beat some lower-ranked IIMs. if you still need guidance, you can always get in touch with CollegeDekho mentors.

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Do we need to attempt CAT this year to join MBA at Woxsen School of Business, Hyderabad?

-Sivalenka NeerajaaUpdated on December 15, 2025 07:26 PM

4 Answers

P sidhu, Student / Alumni

LPU does not strictly require CAT for admission to its MBA program. Admission can be based on LPU’s own entrance test, LPUNEST, or academic performance in graduation. Candidates can also be considered through other qualifying exams or merit criteria specified by the university. It’s important to check the official admission guidelines and apply accordingly to secure a seat.

Is MBA in entrepreneurship available for 2 years?

-rutuja jotiram chavanUpdated on December 15, 2025 02:55 PM

1 Answer

Shuchi Bagchi, Content Team

Dear Student,

Deshbhakt Ratnappa Kumbhar College of Commerce (DRKCC, Kolhapur) MBA is a PG-level course of 2 years duration. MBA in Entrepreneurship is the specialisation that the student will study in the course.

Thank you!

How comfortable and private are the hostel villas and rooms on GIBS 10-Acre Lush Green Campus?

-PreethiUpdated on December 16, 2025 10:47 AM

1 Answer

Intajur Rahaman, Content Team

Dear Student, The hostel villas and rooms in Global Institute of Business Studies 10-Acre Lush Green Campus are quite comfortable with well-furnished and spacious, typically with beds, study desks, chairs, and wardrobes — designed to support both rest and study. You will have a comfortable living experience thanks to clean, neat, well-maintained, and ventilated hostel accommodations. As for privacy, 3-4 students are expected to share a single unit, which means privacy is average but fairly standard for student hostels. Curfew timings are enforced (e.g., ~8–9 PM), especially in the girls’ hostel, which adds structured security but limits late-night movement.