Choosing The Right B-School In India: Factors That Truly Matter

Choosing the right MBA college in India is a major decision that can shape your entire career trajectory. Various websites and surveys assign different rankings to B-schools in India, highlighting the importance of understanding how the industry actually perceives each institution.

For instance, debating between the 5th- and 6th-ranked B-school is often futile, as rankings vary across surveys. Similarly, relying solely on placement reports can be deceptive, too. Campuses where the average salaries are ₹26 LPA and ₹27 LPA don’t reveal meaningful differences; both offer similar opportunities and exposure.

In this blog, I will give you a practical breakdown of key factors you should consider when choosing your B-school. They might make the decision easier for you!

1. Market Perception

Check with some alumni or connections if the college you are considering is actually perceived to be of the same tier that you want to join. This is important because some companies actually pay different salaries across different tiers of college, though they do not differentiate between ranks.

For Example: A company, X, may pay the same salary across IIM A, B, and C (Tier 0) but a different salary to the next tier of colleges, and so on. Exceptions exist, but this trend holds for a majority of companies.

Bottom Line: Focus on tier perception, not tiny differences in survey rankings.

2. Placement Industry Mix

Check beyond just placement numbers– consider:

• Which industries visit the campus?
• The number of consulting firms at the campus (In reports on top B-schools today, consulting typically forms 30%–35% of final placements.)

Check LinkedIn to see:

• What roles have your alums secured in the past
• How their career trajectory has been over the last few years

Tip: Placement diversity matters just as much as the average CTC.

3. Exchange Opportunities (Global Exposure)

Have a look at the number of foreign B-schools one is attached to and what kind of exchange program they have. This is important because exchange programs offer great exposure to B-schools across the globe and, hence, the business mindset across different geographies. 

And let’s not forget about the allure of travel. Some people travel across 5 to 10 countries during their exchange programs at European B-schools

4. Batch Size: A Double-Edged Sword

Do consider the batch size of B-schools as well. For example, colleges like SPJIMR, FMS, etc. have smaller batches, which means better per-student placement ratios (advantage during placements)

However, there is a downside to it as well:

• A smaller, less diverse batch can mean fewer companies on campus.
• If legacy recruiters reduce hiring, the bottom 10% might struggle more.
• Dream companies may hire in smaller numbers from smaller batches.

5. ROI and Infrastructure

For any middle-class family, Return on Investment (ROI) is a critical factor. So you can choose a college within the same tier based on ROI, but:

 ❌ Don’t go by only ROI.

✅ Yes, compare fees and average salaries, but also consider other factors mentioned here. Why? Placement reports often don’t fully reveal year-on-year earning potential or job profiles.

6. Alumni Networks: Your Lifelong Asset

Alumni connection is one of the most important factors. You must have heard, top B-schools rely heavily on alumni when placement seasons get tough to achieve the 100% mark.

But the alumni advantage doesn't end at placements:

• Alumni groups actively help each other with job searches, referrals, and startup ventures.
• A strong alumni base always pushed the college into more than just placement schedules.

Once you graduate, this network stays with you forever.

Grouping of B-Schools (Based on Current Market Perception)

Here’s a rough B school grouping based on current market perception and placement statistics (Not an exhaustive list):

Notes:

• Different companies may group colleges differently based on their needs and previous experience of recruiting.
• ISB Hyderabad is not included here because it caters to a different demographic — more experienced candidates. However, most companies typically place ISB in Cohort 0 or Cohort 1 due to the abundance of great experienced talent. 
• Also, due to the massive batch size of ISB, companies of all levels come for placements, and it provides a plethora of opportunities.

Bookmark this for when you get into a B-school of your dreams: Challenge Yourself With These B-school Competitions

Grouping of B-Schools on Specialisations

Now, let’s look at colleges that are renowned for a specific specialization:

Note: TISS happens to attract a lot more FMCG roles, given their demographics and very small batch size.

Final Thought: There's no Perfect Formula

Most companies tend to form such groups and cohorts rather than a singular digit-based ranking, as we so commonly see on different websites. They offer similar roles and packages in the same cohort. 

• There are some colleges that fall in Cohort 1 for some companies and Cohort 2 for others. However, this is just a basic picture of how companies decide on roles and packages in campus placements. 
• Things like the number of students available, slots given for placements, campus relations, etc., also play a significant role. 
• For example, company A might have long-standing relations with a college and would tend to take more students from that campus in tough times. This might sound wrong, but in reality, most students across each cohort are more or less the same in terms of intellect or academic brilliance. 
• Companies tend to check the right fitment and skills for the roles they have at hand. 
• Please note that cohort is not a tiering of colleges, it's simply a grouping of colleges based on industry perceptions.

Overall, there is no exact formula for choosing a B-school in India. However, rather than going by just placement figures and ROI as metrics, the above criteria should help you come to a decision.

Want to learn directly from the mind behind this article? Connect with Swastik Mitra on Unstop for personalized 1:1 mentorship, expert guidance, and more!

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