IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA
Both IIT Kanpur and IIT Roorkee are premier institutions in India offering MBA programmes through their respective departments of management sciences. If you have both on your shortlist, this comparison will help you decide. Both accept only CAT scores.
Parameter | IIT Kanpur (DoMS) | IIT Roorkee (DoMS) |
Established | 1959 | 1847 |
Programme | MBA (2-year full-time) | MBA (2-year full-time) |
Department | Dept. of Management Sciences | Dept. of Management Studies |
Location | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | Roorkee, Uttarakhand |
Total Seats | ~145 | 95 |
Accepted Exam | CAT only | CAT only |
IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA: Rankings
NIRF Management rankings are the most widely referenced benchmark for MBA colleges in India. Both IITs have shown movement in recent years - IIT Kanpur improved its rank in 2025, while IIT Roorkee slipped slightly.
Ranking Body | IIT Kanpur | IIT Roorkee |
NIRF 2025 - Management | 27 | 22 |
IIRF 2026 - Best B-School (Overall) | 26 | 32 |
IIT Roorkee holds a better NIRF management rank however, IIT Kanpur ranks higher in the IIRF ranking. Both are institutes of national importance with strong brand recall in the industry.
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IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA: Fees
One of the biggest advantages of IIT MBA programmes over private B-schools is the significantly lower fee. Both institutes charge a fraction of what most top private B-schools charge for a comparable programme.
Fee Component | IIT Kanpur | IIT Roorkee |
Total Tuition Fee (2 years) | ~₹4 Lakhs | ~₹8.5 Lakhs |
Estimated Total Fee (incl. hostel) | ~₹4.5 - 5 Lakhs | ~₹9.75 Lakhs |
Both offer exceptional return on investment given their placement outcomes. The ROI at both institutes is among the best available in the IIT MBA ecosystem.
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IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA: CAT Cutoff
The actual percentile required each year depends on the number of applicants and seats available. However, based on published eligibility criteria from both official websites, here are the minimum qualifying thresholds:
Category | IIT Kanpur (Minimum CAT Percentile) | IIT Roorkee (Minimum CAT Percentile) |
General / OBC / EWS | 80 | 96 |
SC / ST | 55 | 64 |
Important note: The above cut off for IIT Kanpur is minimum percentile required and not the actual shortlisting cut off. In practice, the general category candidates getting admission typically score 92+ percentile at IIT Kanpur. IIT Roorkee's score (96) is higher than IIT Kanpur's (80), making it accessible at a lower score.
IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA: Admission Process
Both institutes follow a similar multi-stage selection process based entirely on CAT scores. Here is how the two compare, based on their official admission pages:
Step | IIT Kanpur | IIT Roorkee |
Qualifying Exam | CAT only | CAT only (IIT graduates with JEE Adv. + CGPA 7+ exempted) |
Minimum Graduation Marks | 60% (Gen/OBC/EWS), 50% (SC/ST/PwD) | 60% (Gen/OBC/EWS), 55% (SC/ST/PwD) |
Mathematics in Class 12 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Shortlisting Basis | CAT percentile | CAT percentile + Profile |
Interview Stage | Personal Interview (PI) | Personal Interview (PI) |
Final Merit Basis | CAT score + Academic background + PI performance + Work Experience | CAT score + PI performance + Work Experience |
IIT Roorkee also gives a direct PI shortlist to JEE Advanced qualified IIT graduates with CGPA 7 or above - no CAT required for them. This is a unique provision not available at IIT Kanpur.
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IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA: Placements
Both institutes have achieved 100% placements consistently in recent years. Here is a comparison of the most recently available placement data:
Placement Parameter | IIT Kanpur (Batch 2023–25) | IIT Roorkee (Batch 2023–25) |
Average Package | ₹17.2 LPA | ₹17.91 LPA |
Highest Package | ₹36 LPA | ₹24 LPA |
Median Package | ₹16.5 LPA | ₹17.64 LPA |
Sector-Wise Breakdown - IIT Kanpur (2025):
Sector | Share of Recruiters |
Operations | 27% |
Analytics | 26% |
BFSI | 25% |
Consulting | 17% |
Sector-wise breakdown - IIT Roorkee (2025):
Sector | Share of Recruiters |
Operations, IT & Analytics | 54% |
Marketing | 27% (Highest avg. package at ₹21.33 LPA) |
Top recruiters at IIT Kanpur include Cognizant, IBM, Deloitte, HDFC Bank, and Sapient. At IIT Roorkee, names like Accenture, Adani, Deloitte, EY, Bank of America, ICICI Bank, Infosys, and GAIL regularly participate.
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IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA: Which One to Choose?
Choose IIT Kanpur if:
- You have a strong affinity for BFSI or consulting - both are very active sectors at IIT Kanpur.
- You have strong CAT credentials and want an institute with slightly more name recognition at the national level.
Choose IIT Roorkee if:
- You are targeting Operations, IT, or Analytics - which dominate 54% of recruiter participation at IIT Roorkee, the highest concentration of any single cluster
- You have work experience and want an institute that explicitly factors it into your merit score
- You are a JEE Advanced qualified IIT graduate with CGPA 7+ and want to skip the CAT requirement entirely.
IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA: Conclusion
Choosing between IIT Kanpur vs IIT Roorkee MBA depends on your career goals, CAT score, and budget. IIT Kanpur stands out for its exceptional ROI, lower fees, and strong presence in BFSI, consulting, and analytics. Meanwhile, IIT Roorkee offers a slightly better NIRF ranking, competitive placements, and a strong recruiter base in Operations, IT, and Analytics.
Both institutes provide excellent management education backed by the prestigious IIT brand. If affordability and ROI are your priorities, IIT Kanpur may have the edge. If you value rankings and a stronger focus on operations and analytics, IIT Roorkee can be a compelling choice. Evaluate your career aspirations carefully before making the final decision.
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