Introduction: ? Your MBA Dream is Still Alive!
If you’ve scored between 80 and 90 percentiles in CAT 2025, your MBA aspirations remain completely achievable through numerous reputed business schools across India. Therefore, understanding which MBA colleges 80-90 percentile CAT scores can access becomes crucial for making informed admission decisions.
Moreover, while top-tier IIMs require 99+ percentiles, excellent Tier-1.5 and Tier-2 institutions offer outstanding academic programs, strong industry connections, and impressive placement records for students in this percentile range. The Common Admission Test remains highly competitive, yet securing scores in the 80-90 range opens doors to quality MBA colleges that 80-90 percentile CAT candidates can confidently target.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting 80–90 Percentile in CAT 2025
Here’s a detailed list of colleges you should consider for CAT 2025 in this percentile range.
1. MICA Ahmedabad
- Program: PGDM in Strategic Marketing and Communications
- Fees: ₹26 Lakhs
- Average Package: ₹20–21 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Ogilvy, Google, GroupM, Accenture
- Why Choose: India’s best for marketing, branding, and media careers, with global recognition.
2. FORE School of Management, New Delhi
- Program: PGDM in International Business, Finance, Marketing, Analytics
- Fees: Self-Sponsored-(₹20,77,00) Company-Sponsored-(25,96,250)
- Average Package: ₹14–15 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Deloitte, Nestle, KPMG, HCL
- Why Choose: Strong Delhi-NCR advantage with excellent placements in consulting and BFSI.
3. TAPMI Manipal (T.A. Pai Management Institute)
- Program: PGDM (AACSB Accredited)
- Fees: ₹18 Lakhs
- Average Package: ₹14–15 LPA
- Top Recruiters: HUL, PwC, Amazon, Microsoft
- Why Choose: Known for its Harvard-style case pedagogy and strong alumni presence.
4. GIM Goa (Goa Institute of Management)
- Program: PGDM (General, Healthcare, Analytics)
- Fees: ~₹20,40,000
- Average Package: ₹14–15 LPA
- Top Recruiters: ITC, HSBC, Britannia, Accenture
- Why Choose: Focuses on sustainability, innovation, and vibrant campus culture.
5. IRMA Anand (Institute of Rural Management Anand)
- Program: PGDM in Rural Management
- Fees: ~₹16 Lakhs
- Average Package: ₹14–15 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Amul, HDFC Bank, Tata Trusts, UNICEF
- Why Choose: Best suited for aspirants inclined toward social impact, CSR, and agri-business careers.
6. IMT Ghaziabad
- Program: PGDM in Core, Marketing, Finance, Analytics
- Fees: ₹21,53,000
- Average Package: ₹15 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Amazon, PepsiCo, Deloitte, Cognizant
- Why Choose: Strong brand recognition, especially in Marketing and Analytics placements.
7. KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
- Program: MBA with multiple specializations
- Fees: ~₹15–22.5 Lakhs
- Average Package: ₹13–14 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Axis Bank, JP Morgan, Deloitte, P&G
- Why Choose: Excellent Mumbai location advantage with consistent ROI.
8. BIM Trichy (Bharathidasan Institute of Management)
- Program: MBA in General Management
- Fees: ~₹15 Lakhs
- Average Package: ₹12–13 LPA
- Top Recruiters: TCS, Infosys, ICICI, Accenture
- Why Choose: Strong value-for-money program with legacy credibility in South India.
9. NIBM Pune (National Institute of Bank Management)
- Program: PGDM in Banking & Financial Services
- Fees: ₹16 Lakhs
- Average Package: ₹12–13 LPA
- Top Recruiters: HDFC, ICICI, SBI Capital, Kotak
- Why Choose: Niche BFSI-focused institute, excellent for banking and fintech aspirants.
10. LBSIM New Delhi (Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management)
- Program: PGDM in Finance, HR, Analytics, Marketing
- Fees: Self-sponsored-(16,50,000) Company sponsored-(21,80,000)
- Average Package: ₹11–12 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Infosys, Deloitte, Tech Mahindra, Wipro
- Why Choose: Affordable MBA with strong placements in Delhi NCR corporates.
Comparison Table: MBA Colleges (80–90 CAT Percentile)
| College | Fees (₹ Lakhs) | Avg Package (₹ LPA) | Best For |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 21 | 20–21 | Marketing & Communications |
| FORE Delhi | 16–17 | 14–15 | BFSI, Consulting |
| TAPMI Manipal | 17–18 | 14–15 | Case Pedagogy, Leadership |
| GIM Goa | 18–19 | 14–15 | Analytics, Sustainability |
| IRMA Anand | 16 | 14–15 | Rural, CSR, Agri-business |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 19 | 15 | Marketing, Analytics |
| KJ Somaiya | 14–15 | 13–14 | Finance, Mumbai Network |
| BIM Trichy | 15 | 12–13 | Affordable, General Mgmt |
| NIBM Pune | 14 | 12–13 | BFSI, Fintech |
| LBSIM Delhi | 13–14 | 11–12 | Cost-effective MBA |
How to Shortlist the Right College
When deciding among these colleges, consider:
Specialization fit:
- Marketing → MICA, IMT, GIM
- BFSI → NIBM, FORE
- Rural/CSR → IRMA
- General Mgmt → BIM, LBSIM
Location advantage:
- Delhi-NCR → FORE, IMT, LBSIM
- Mumbai → KJ Somaiya
- Goa/Manipal → GIM, TAPMI
ROI priorities:
- Best ROI → KJ Somaiya, IRMA, FORE
- Strong brand → IMT, TAPMI, MICA
Understanding MBA Admission Beyond CAT
Common Admission Test (CAT) is the main entrance test for MBA, but it is a tough one as the cut-off for the top IIMs in most cases is at the 95–99 percentile range or even higher. Nevertheless, there are more than 5000 management institutes in India, out of which a vast majority accept the scores of other exams or offer different admission routes like profile-based shortlisting, direct admission, or state-level tests. What matters is to consider every possibility and take the one that suits your educational background and professional aspirations.
Option 1: Use Other National MBA Entrances to Apply
If you are not satisfied with your CAT score, you can consider the exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, and IBSAT to get into good B-schools.
1. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
- Organized by: XLRI Jamshedpur
- Institutes accepting the score: XLRI, XIMB, TAPMI, IMT Ghaziabad, etc.
- Advantage: XAT places less emphasis on time-based problems and more on decision-making and general aptitude. In fact, a score between the 75 and 80 percentiles can be sufficient for a good college admission.
2. NMAT by GMAC
- Conducted by: Graduate Management Admission Council
- Admission is given to: NMIMS Mumbai, KJ Somaiya, IFMR, ISBR, SDA Bocconi
- Reason to decide: If required, a candidate can take the NMAT thrice. The good percentile of the required range varies from 70 to 90 for top colleges.
3. SNAP
- Conducted by: Symbiosis International University
- Partnered with: SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIIB, SIOM, SITM
- Main goal: The exam is less complicated than the CAT, and that is why it mostly focuses on speed. For top institutes like SIBM Pune, around 97 percentile is required, whereas SCMHRD or SIOM can be obtained at 80–85 percentile.
4. CMAT
- Conducted by: NTA
- Accepted by: KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes, BIMTECH, IMT Nagpur
- Reason to choose: A recognized gateway to many MBA colleges that are affordable, but also recognized by AICTE and have its high ROI.
5. MAT and ATMA
MAT (AIMA) and ATMA (AIMS) are held multiple times per year. Scores of both are accepted at 600+ colleges. These are most suitable for candidates who want to take the exam multiple times or have flexibility in timing.
Direct MBA Admission Without CAT or Any Entrance Exam
There are quite a few private and deemed universities in India, including Amity University, LPU, etc., that offer direct admission to students simply by looking at their academic records, SOPs (Statements of Purpose), or personality interviews. This path is very helpful to those students who do not want to prepare for the entrance exams for another year.
Conclusion
For CAT aspirants, a low score or missed cut-off does not mean the end of MBA aspirations. MBA admission through management quota is a recognized, transparent, and effective pathway into quality management education. With flexible eligibility, faster admissions, and access to reputed private institutes, management quota offers students the opportunity to move forward without delay.
