Your CAT percentile plays an important role in determining which MBA colleges you can target after the CAT exam. However, percentile alone does not decide admission. Factors such as sectional scores, academic background, work experience, category, diversity and performance in selection rounds can also influence the final admission decision.
MBA colleges in India are available across a wide range of CAT percentile brackets. Candidates scoring 99+ percentile can target institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and FMS Delhi, while candidates in the 90–95 or 85–90 percentile range can explore several IIMs, IITs and reputed private B-schools.
Along with CAT percentile, it is important to compare MBA fees, average placement packages, median salary and placement opportunities before selecting colleges.
This guide covers MBA colleges by CAT percentile along with their approximate fees and average packages to help CAT aspirants create a practical college shortlist.
MBA Colleges by CAT Percentile
The CAT percentile range gives candidates an initial idea of the colleges they can consider. The following broad classification covers major MBA colleges across different percentile brackets.
| CAT Percentile | Major MBA Colleges |
| CAT Percentile | Major MBA Colleges |
| 99+ Percentile | IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, FMS Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, SPJIMR |
| 95–99 Percentile | IIFT, IIM Shillong, IIM Trichy, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Rohtak, IIM Udaipur |
| 90–95 Percentile | BITSOM, IIM Nagpur, IIM Visakhapatnam, IIM Amritsar, IIM Jammu, IMT Ghaziabad, MICA |
| 85–90 Percentile | IMI Delhi, FORE School of Management, GIM Goa, IRMA, KJ Somaiya, IIT Kharagpur |
| 80–85 Percentile | Welingkar, LBSIM, IFMR, Jaipuria and other private B-schools |
| 70–80 Percentile | IBS Hyderabad, GIBS, Acharya Institute and other regional B-schools |
These percentile ranges should be treated as target ranges rather than guaranteed admission cutoffs. Actual shortlisting can vary based on the institute, category and applicant profile.
MBA Colleges for 99+ CAT Percentile
| MBA College | Approx. Fees | Average Package |
| IIM Ahmedabad | ₹27.5 lakh | ₹36.99 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | ₹26.3 lakh | ₹35.35 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | ₹27 lakh | ₹36.00 LPA |
| FMS Delhi | ₹2.43 lakh | ₹32.27 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | ₹20.75 lakh | ₹33.20 LPA |
| IIM Kozhikode | ₹23.5 lakh | ₹28.18 LPA |
| IIM Indore | ₹25.15 lakh | ₹25.00 LPA |
| IIM Mumbai | ₹25 lakh | ₹34.5 LPA |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | ₹26.5 lakh | ₹33.6 LPA |
| IIT Bombay SJMSOM | ₹16.9 lakh | ₹28.16 LPA |
| IIT Delhi DMS | ₹12 lakh | ₹22.50 LPA |
These figures are indicative and should be verified against the latest official institute fee and placement reports before applying.
MBA Colleges for 98+ CAT Percentile
| MBA College | Approx. Fees | Average Package |
| IIM Lucknow | ₹20.75 lakh | ₹33.20 LPA |
| IIM Kozhikode | ₹23.5 lakh | ₹28.18 LPA |
| IIM Indore | ₹25.15 lakh | ₹25.00 LPA |
| IIT Bombay SJMSOM | ₹16.9 lakh | ₹28.16 LPA |
| IIT Delhi DMS | ₹12 lakh | ₹22.50 LPA |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | ₹26.5 lakh | ₹33.6 LPA |
| IIM Mumbai | ₹25 lakh | ₹34.5 LPA |
These figures are indicative and should be verified against the latest official institute fee and placement reports before applying.
MBA Colleges for 95–98 CAT Percentile
| MBA College | Approx. Fees | Average Package |
| IIFT Delhi | ₹21.8 lakh | ₹31.30 LPA |
| IIM Shillong | ₹26.18 lakh | ₹26.44 LPA |
| IIM Trichy | ₹25 lakh | ₹19.27 LPA |
| IIM Raipur | ₹19.25 lakh+ | ₹18.92 LPA |
| IIM Ranchi | ₹19.20 lakh | ₹18.86 LPA |
| IIM Rohtak | ₹17.90 lakh | ₹20.03 LPA |
| IIM Udaipur | ₹22.31 lakh | ₹18.77 LPA |
| IIM Kashipur | ₹14.95 lakh | ₹14.95 LPA |
These figures are indicative and should be verified against the latest official institute fee and placement reports before applying.
MBA Colleges for 90–95 CAT Percentile
| MBA College | Approx. Fees | Average Package |
| BITSOM | ₹27.20 lakh | ₹24.14 LPA |
| IIM Nagpur | ₹21.50 lakh | ₹18.07 LPA |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | ₹20.50 lakh | ₹15.72 LPA |
| IIM Amritsar | ₹21.50 lakh | ₹15.51 LPA |
| IIM Jammu | ₹22.80 lakh | ₹16.04 LPA |
| IMT Ghaziabad | ₹20.80 lakh | ₹17.20 LPA |
| MICA Ahmedabad | ₹26 lakh | ₹19.22 LPA |
| IIT Kanpur | ₹5 lakh* | ₹17.20 LPA |
These figures are indicative and should be verified against the latest official institute fee and placement reports before applying.
MBA Colleges for 85–90 CAT Percentile
| MBA College | Approx. Fees | Average Package |
| IMI Delhi | ₹23.54 lakh | ₹17.62 LPA |
| Great Lakes Chennai | ₹22.50 lakh | ₹15.00 LPA |
| FORE Delhi | ₹20.77 lakh | ₹16.40 LPA |
| KJ Somaiya Mumbai | ₹23.87 lakh | ₹12.69 LPA |
| IIT Kharagpur | ₹12.64 lakh | ₹22.75 LPA |
| IRMA Anand | ~₹17 lakh | ₹15.64 LPA |
| GIM Goa | ~₹19.50 lakh | ₹16.27 LPA |
| IMT Hyderabad | ~₹13 lakh | ₹12.20 LPA |
These figures are indicative and should be verified against the latest official institute fee and placement reports before applying.
MBA Colleges for 80–85 CAT Percentile
| MBA College | Approx. Fees | Average Package |
| Welingkar Mumbai | ₹18 lakh | ₹11.70 LPA |
| LBSIM Delhi | ₹17.50 lakh | ₹12.25 LPA |
| IFMR | ₹16 lakh | ₹12.04 LPA |
| Jaipuria | ₹12–16 lakh | ~₹11.12 LPA |
| IMS Noida | ₹9–10 lakh | ~₹8.40 LPA |
These figures are indicative and should be verified against the latest official institute fee and placement reports before applying.
MBA Colleges for 70–80 CAT Percentile
A CAT percentile between 70 and 80 does not mean that a candidate has no MBA options. Several private universities and regional B-schools accept candidates in this range, although the available choices and admission requirements vary considerably.
- IBS Hyderabad
- GIBS
- Acharya Institute
- DSI
- Other regional and private B-schools
Candidates should pay particular attention to total fees, placement percentage, median salary, accreditation, faculty, curriculum and recruiter profile when comparing colleges in this range.
College-Wise MBA Fees and Average Packages
| College | Approx. Fees | Average Package |
| IIM Ahmedabad | ₹27.5 L | ₹36.99 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | ₹26.3 L | ₹35.35 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | ₹27 L | ₹36.00 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | ₹20.75 L | ₹33.20 LPA |
| IIM Kozhikode | ₹23.5 L | ₹28.18 LPA |
| IIM Indore | ₹25.15 L | ₹25.00 LPA |
| IIM Mumbai | ₹25 L | ₹34.5 LPA |
| FMS Delhi | ₹2.43 L | ₹32.27 LPA |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | ₹26.5 L | ₹33.6 LPA |
| MDI Gurgaon | ₹26.5 L | ₹29.5 LPA |
| IIFT Delhi | ₹21.8 L | ₹31.30 LPA |
| JBIMS Mumbai | ₹7 L | ₹26.67 LPA |
| IIT Bombay SJMSOM | ₹16.9 L | ₹28.16 LPA |
| IIT Delhi DMS | ₹12 L | ₹22.50 LPA |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | ₹30.6 L | ₹29.00 LPA |
What Is a Good CAT Percentile for MBA Admission?
There is no single CAT percentile that guarantees admission to a particular MBA college.
99+ percentile: Candidates can target the most competitive IIMs, FMS, IIT management programmes and other leading B-schools.
95–99 percentile: Several IIMs, IIFT and other established institutes become potential options.
90–95 percentile: Candidates can explore newer IIMs, BITSOM, IMT and specialised institutes.
85–90 percentile: Several established private B-schools and selected IIT programmes can be considered.
80–85 percentile: Candidates can explore a broader range of private B-schools.
70–80 percentile: Regional and private MBA institutes provide additional options.
Does CAT Percentile Alone Decide MBA Admission?
No. CAT percentile is only one component of the MBA admission process. Depending on the institute, selection can consider:
CAT Overall and Sectional Percentile
Some B-schools use both overall and sectional CAT performance. Meeting the minimum cutoff does not necessarily mean that a candidate will receive an interview call.
Academic Profile
Class 10, Class 12 and graduation marks may contribute to the selection process at several institutes.
Work Experience
Work experience can carry weight in the admission process of certain B-schools.
Personal Interview and Other Selection Rounds
After shortlisting, candidates may have to appear for personal interviews, written assessments or other selection stages depending on the institute.
Category and Diversity Factors
Reservation policies and institute-specific diversity criteria can affect the required percentile and selection process.
How to Choose an MBA College After CAT?
Compare Total MBA Fees
Look at the complete programme cost rather than tuition fees alone. Hostel, accommodation, living expenses and other charges can increase the overall investment.
Check Average and Median Packages
Average CTC gives an overview of placement outcomes, but median CTC can provide additional context about the salary distribution.
Study the Placement Report
Check the placement percentage, number of recruiters, industry distribution, major roles and batch size.
Consider Your Career Goals
A college may have strong opportunities in one sector or specialisation and a different profile in another. Compare colleges based on the career path you want to pursue.
Check Admission Criteria
Two colleges accepting CAT may have very different selection formulas. Review their latest admission policy before assuming that a particular percentile will result in a call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which MBA colleges accept 99+ CAT percentile?
Candidates with a 99+ CAT percentile can target highly competitive institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, FMS Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi and SPJIMR, depending on their overall profile and the institute’s selection criteria.
Which MBA colleges can I target with 95 percentile in CAT?
Around the 95 percentile range, candidates can explore institutes such as IIFT, IIM Shillong, IIM Trichy, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Rohtak and IIM Udaipur, although actual calls depend on the institute and candidate profile.
Can I get a good MBA college with 90 percentile in CAT?
Yes. Candidates around the 90 percentile range can explore newer IIMs and institutes such as BITSOM, IMT Ghaziabad and MICA, along with other management colleges. Admission depends on the institute’s cutoff and selection criteria.
Which MBA college has the lowest fees among the top colleges?
Among the prominent colleges covered in the reference data, FMS Delhi has an approximate fee of ₹2.43 lakh, while JBIMS Mumbai is around ₹7 lakh. Candidates should independently verify current fees and placement data before applying.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an MBA college after CAT is not simply about chasing the highest percentile or the highest package. Your decision should consider CAT percentile, admission criteria, total fees, average and median salary, placement opportunities, career goals and long-term professional plans.
A 99+ percentile can open doors to highly competitive institutes, while candidates in the 90–95, 85–90 or even lower percentile ranges still have multiple MBA options. The key is to create a realistic college list based on your CAT percentile and overall profile and then compare each institute carefully.
For CAT aspirants, the right approach is to prepare for the highest possible percentile while keeping multiple college options across different percentile ranges.