Old IIMs Average Package 2026
Which old IIM offers the best salary package in 2026, and how much should you spend on an MBA? IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore remain popular choices for management aspirants. Their placement reports show strong salaries across consulting, finance, technology and general management. However, the highest package alone does not tell you which institute offers the best value. Average CTC, MBA fees, recruiter profiles and career opportunities also matter.
Old IIMs Placement Reports 2026
The old IIMs attract recruiters from several industries, including consulting, investment banking, technology, FMCG and general management. Their placement reports help you compare salary outcomes, recruiter demand and career opportunities after an MBA.
The table below summarises the average CTC figures for the BLACKI institutes. These average CTCs are from the institutes' official 2024-2026 placement reports.
IIM | Placement Report PDF |
*The data is of PGP 2025 as the 2026 placement report is not out yet.
IIM Ahmedabad has the highest average CTC among these six institutes at ₹36.98 LPA, followed by IIM Calcutta at ₹36.00 LPA. IIM Bangalore ranks next with an average CTC of ₹35.35 LPA.
Also Read: Old IIMs MBA Placements 2026, Average Package & Recruiters
Old IIMs Highest Package 2026
When comparing the top salary offers across institutes, the highest package can provide an additional perspective. However, it usually represents an exceptional offer rather than the typical outcome for the entire batch.
IIM | Highest Package Domestic 2026 | Highest Package International 2026 |
IIM Calcutta | ₹1.45 Crore | ₹1.10 Crore |
IIM Lucknow | ₹1 Crore | ₹65 LPA |
IIM Ahmedabad | ₹81.60 LPA | ₹2.31 crore ($2,43,000) |
IIM Kozhikode* | ₹67.02 LPA* | ₹72.02 LPA* |
IIM Indore | ₹82.54 LPA | - |
IIM Bangalore | Not Reported | Not Reported |
*The data is of PGP 2025 as the 2026 placement report is not out yet.
Also Read: Old IIMs Cut Off 2026: Sectional & Category-wise Analysis
Old IIMs Top Recruiters 2026
The old IIMs attract employers from different industries. Consulting firms recruit for strategy and business advisory roles, while banks hire for finance, investment banking and related positions. Technology companies offer opportunities in product management, analytics and business leadership.
The table below lists prominent recruiters associated with these sectors. It is a general recruiter overview, not a confirmed list of companies that hired at every institute during the 2026 placement cycle.
Sector | Major Recruiters |
Consulting | BCG, Bain & Company, McKinsey, Accenture Strategy, Kearney, Deloitte, EY-Parthenon |
Finance | Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Barclays, Bank of America |
Technology and Product | Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Adobe, Salesforce |
FMCG and Consumer | HUL, P&G;, ITC, Nestlé, Marico |
General Management | Tata Administrative Services, Aditya Birla Group, Reliance, Mahindra & Mahindra |
Consulting is an important career path across the old IIMs. Finance-focused candidates can compare opportunities in investment banking and financial services, while technology-oriented candidates can look for product and analytics roles.
Recruiter participation can change every year. Therefore, check the latest placement report for the exact companies, job profiles and sector-wise hiring figures before making a final comparison.
Which Old IIM is Suitable for Your Career Goal?
The best institute can differ according to your preferred role. Use the following table as a starting point rather than a fixed ranking.
Career Goal | Institutes to Compare |
Consulting | IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow |
Finance and Investment Banking | IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore |
Technology and Product Management | IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta |
Analytics | IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore |
General Management | IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore |
HR | IIM Indore, alongside other institutes offering relevant roles |
Agri-business | IIM Ahmedabad |
Operations and Supply Chain | IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore |
Review the programme curriculum and placement report before deciding. A strong institute name matters, but the actual roles offered should match your career interests.
Also Read: IIM MBA Specializations 2026, Average Package, Job Roles
Old IIMs Fees vs Average Package 2026
MBA fees are an important part of the decision because graduates may need to repay education loans after completing the programme. Comparing fees with average CTC gives you a starting point for understanding the potential return on your investment.
IIM | Approx. MBA Fees | Average CTC |
IIM Ahmedabad | ₹26.50 lakh | ₹36.98 LPA |
IIM Bangalore | ₹26.00 lakh | ₹35.35 LPA |
IIM Calcutta | ₹27.00 lakh | ₹36.00 LPA |
IIM Lucknow | ₹20.75 lakh | ₹33.2 LPA |
IIM Kozhikode | ₹20.5 lakh | ₹28.18 LPA |
IIM Indore | ₹21.17 lakh | ₹27.27 LPA |
IIM Ahmedabad records the highest average CTC in this comparison, while IIM Lucknow has the lowest approximate MBA fee. IIM Calcutta and IIM Bangalore also report average CTC figures above ₹35 LPA in the supplied data.
Before making a decision, compare the median package, fixed salary, total programme cost and the roles available at each institute.
Also Read: Best ROI MBA Colleges in India 2026, Fees, Placement Report
Which old IIM offers better ROI?
The answer depends on your expected salary, financial requirements and career goals. The following comparison can help you narrow down the institutes for further research.
Comparison Factor | What to Check |
Lower programme fees | IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode |
Higher reported average CTC | IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Bangalore |
Highest domestic offer | IIM Calcutta, based on the supplied highest-package data |
Career-specific opportunities | Sector-wise placement reports and job profiles |
Admission chances | CAT percentile, category and institute admission criteria |
Use these factors together rather than relying on a single salary figure. A programme with a slightly lower average CTC may still suit you better if its fees are lower and its available roles match your goals.
Old IIMs ROI Comparison 2026
To compare the ROI of old IIMs, you can calculate how many times the average annual CTC covers the MBA fees. A higher multiple indicates a stronger salary-to-fee ratio, although it does not represent actual profit.
IIM | MBA Fees (2024-26) | Average CTC | Average CTC ÷ Fees |
IIM Lucknow | ₹20.75 lakh | ₹33.20 LPA | 1.60x |
IIM Ahmedabad | ₹26.50 lakh | ₹36.98 LPA | 1.40x |
IIM Kozhikode* | ₹20.50 lakh* | ₹28.18 LPA* | 1.37x* |
IIM Bangalore | ₹26.00 lakh | ₹35.35 LPA | 1.36x |
IIM Calcutta | ₹27.00 lakh | ₹36.00 LPA | 1.33x |
IIM Indore | ₹21.17 lakh | ₹27.27 LPA | 1.29x |
*Data is of 2023-25 batch as the 2024-2 placements reports are not published yet.
Note: Average annual CTC (₹ lakh) ÷ approximate MBA fees (₹ lakh). Ratios are rounded to two decimal places.
IIM Lucknow records the highest salary-to-fee ratio at 1.60x, making it the top-ranked IIM in this comparison. IIM Ahmedabad follows at 1.40x, while IIM Kozhikode and IIM Bangalore record 1.37x and 1.36x, respectively. IIM Calcutta stands at 1.33x, followed by IIM Indore at 1.29x.
Also Read: IIM with Best ROI in 2026: Fees vs Average Salary Comparison
Old IIMs Average Package 2026: Conclusion
The Old IIMs Average Package 2026 comparison highlights the strong placement opportunities offered by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore. Based on the reported figures, IIM Ahmedabad leads in average CTC at ₹36.98 LPA, followed by IIM Calcutta and IIM Bangalore. Meanwhile, IIM Lucknow offers the highest average salary-to-fee ratio of 1.60x in this comparison. These figures help CAT aspirants understand the differences in salary outcomes and approximate MBA costs across the old IIMs.
However, selecting the right IIM requires more than comparing average or highest packages. Candidates should consider median salaries, fixed compensation, total MBA expenses, recruiter profiles, preferred job roles and long-term career growth. Since IIM Kozhikode's placement figures are from an earlier batch, the comparison should also be interpreted with that limitation in mind. The best old IIM is the one that balances placement opportunities, affordability and career goals rather than simply offering the highest salary package.
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