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Top 25 CMAT Accepting Colleges in India 2026
The CMAT exam was held on January 25, 2026 by the National Testing Agency, and the results finally came out on February 17, 2026 and what's key to note here is that this is an exam whose score are accepted by over 1,000 business schools in India and that makes it one of the most accessible routes into MBA programs in the country. And you should also understand that whether you're a 99+ percentiler or are looking at colleges in that 80+ bracket, there's a great school out there for you.
We at Cracku have put together a detailed list of the top CMAT colleges, their cut-offs, fees and placements to make it easier for you if you are starting to plan your applications.
CMAT Cut Off 2026 for Top MBA Colleges
One thing that's worth noting about the CMAT cut offs is that they can vary a lot from one college to another and a lot depends on how well-known a college is, how many students they can take in, and just how many other people are applying. You get some of the very top league colleges like JBIMS or SIMSREE that are looking for people at the very top of the pile, that is to say 99.99 and 99.96 percentiles respectively. On the other hand, a lot of the other more reputable colleges are really accessible if you can score in the 80-90 percentile range.
Here's a table to look at that gives you a rundown of the top MBA colleges that accept CMAT scores in 2026 - we've included the cut-offs, fees and average placement packages for each one.
College / Institute | CMAT Cut-off | Fees (Approx.) | Avg. Placement | City |
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) | 99.99%ile | 7 Lakhs | 26.12 LPA | Mumbai |
SIMSREE | 99.96%ile | 1.5 Lakhs | 15.59 LPA | Mumbai |
K J Somaiya Institute of Management | 99%ile | 21 Lakhs | 12.32 LPA | Mumbai |
Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai | 90+%ile | 13 Lakhs | 12.7 LPA | Mumbai |
BIMTECH Greater Noida | 95%ile | 14 Lakhs | 11 LPA | Noida |
Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) | 95%ile | 8.9 Lakhs | 9.40 LPA | Ranchi |
PUMBA, University of Pune | 99+%ile | 1.5 Lakhs | 8.85 LPA | Pune |
IMT Hyderabad | 90%ile | 13.77 Lakhs | 12 LPA | Hyderabad |
IMT Nagpur | 90%ile | 14.5 | 10.81 | Nagpur |
KIIT School of Management | 90%ile | 14.5 Lakhs | 9.50 LPA | Bhubaneswar |
N.L. Dalmia Institute of Management | 90%ile | 16.20 Lakhs | 14.35 LPA | Mumbai |
NIBM Pune | 85%ile | 13.72 Lakhs | 15.22 LPA | Pune |
IFMR Graduate School of Business, KREA University | 85%ile | 14.56 Lakhs | 13.50 LPA | Sri City |
Jaipuria Institute of Management | 85%ile | 12.80 Lakhs | 8.95 LPA | Lucknow |
Xavier Business School (XBS) | 85%ile | 10.4 Lakhs | 7.5 LPA | Kolkata |
IMT Hyderabad | 80%ile | 13.77 Lakhs | 12 LPA | Hyderabad |
SIES College of Management Studies | 80%ile | 9 Lakhs | 9.1 LPA | Mumbai |
AIMS School of Business | 80%ile | 8.75 Lakhs | 8 LPA | Bangalore |
Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management | 75%ile | 8.6 Lakhs | 6.4 LPA | Hyderabad |
New Delhi Institute of Management | 75%ile | 10.6 Lakhs | 7.70 LPA | New Delhi |
XIME Bangalore | 75%ile | 14.54 Lakhs | 10.83 LPA | Bangalore |
*These are the expected cut offs and are based on the trends from previous years.
*Fees are subject to change and candidates should keep and eye on the college websites.
Read More: CMAT 2026 Colleges for 90–99+ Percentile, Check Now
CMAT Colleges List with Fees and Average Packages
The fee structure is a make or break factor when narrowing down MBA college options. Top-tier schools like JBIMS and SIMSREE which are state-funded have offered MBA at a relatively low cost and one can think around Rs 1.5 to 6 lakhs. On the other hand, private colleges like KJ Somaiya are way more expensive and we're talking upwards of Rs 21 lakhs. But a lot of these private colleges try to make up for the cost with their impressive placement records.
When evaluating the true cost of an MBA , don't just look at the fee- think about accommodation, travel & living expenses too and its only when you add all this up that you can get a realistic picture of what you'll be getting in return.
MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT 90, 80, 70 Percentile
One of the biggest advantages of CMAT is that it opens doors across a wide range of percentile bands and even candidates who are scoring in the 70-80 percentile range can secure admission in legitimate and accredited MBA programmes. Here is a percentile-wise breakdown of colleges you can target:
CMAT Percentile | Colleges | Expected Fee Range |
99.99+ Percentile | JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai | 1.5 – 7 Lakhs |
99.5+ Percentile | KJ Somaiya, BIMTECH, XISS Ranchi, PUMBA Pune | 1.5 – 21 Lakhs |
95+ Percentile | IMT Nagpur, KIIT, NIBM Pune | 13 – 15 Lakhs |
90+ Percentile | IMT Hyderabad, SIES Mumbai, Christ University, IPE Hyderabad | 8 – 14 Lakhs |
70–80 Percentile | XIME Bangalore, NDIM Delhi, DY Patil, MET Mumbai | 8 – 15 Lakhs |
Also Read, CMAT Percentile-wise Colleges 2026, Check Expected Cut-off
Best CMAT Colleges with Low Fees and High ROI
Return on Investment (ROI) is arguably the most practical metric when evaluating an MBA college. A college charging Rs. 1.5 lakhs and delivering 15 LPA average salary offers far better ROI than one charging Rs. 20 lakhs for the same placement outcome. The best CMAT colleges for ROI in 2026 are:
College | Cut-off | Fees | Avg. Package | ROI Rating |
JBIMS Mumbai | 99.99%ile | 6 Lakhs | 26.12 LPA | Excellent |
SIMSREE Mumbai | 99.96%ile | 1.5 Lakhs | 15.59 LPA | Excellent |
PUMBA Pune | 99%ile | 1.5 Lakhs | 8.85 LPA | Very High |
XISS Ranchi | 95%ile | 8.9 Lakhs | 9.40 LPA | High |
SIES Mumbai | 80%ile | 9 Lakhs | 9.1 LPA | High |
IPE Hyderabad | 82%ile | 8.15 Lakhs | 7.10 LPA | Moderate |
JBIMS and SIMSREE stand out as the gold standard for ROI in CMAT colleges. PUMBA Pune, with a fee of just Rs. 1.5 lakhs, is another exceptional pick for candidates who clear the 96-99 percentile mark. Among private colleges, XISS Ranchi and SIES Mumbai offer strong placements relative to their fees.
Read More: List of Top 20 CMAT Accepting Colleges in India 2026
How to Choose the Right CMAT College Based on Cutoff
With over 1,000 B-schools accepting CMAT scores, the selection process can be overwhelming. Here is a structured approach to help you narrow down your college list based on your score and priorities:
Factor | What to Check | Why It Matters |
CMAT Score | Match your percentile to college cut-offs | Avoid applying where you don't qualify |
Fees vs Package | Calculate fee-to-placement ratio | Ensures a healthy financial ROI |
Specialisation | Check available MBA specialisations | Align with your career goals |
Accreditation | Look for NBA/NAAC/AACSB accreditation | Adds credibility to your degree |
Location | Industry proximity and networking | Metro colleges offer better exposure |
Placement Record | Average, median and top placement data | More reliable than just average salary |
Top 25 CMAT Accepting Colleges in India 2026: Conclusion
Choosing the right MBA college through CMAT 2026 requires looking at a few important factors such as the required cutoff percentile, MBA fees, placement opportunities, and return on investment (ROI). More than 1,000 MBA colleges in India accept CMAT scores, so students have many options depending on their percentile. Some of the top colleges like JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, and K J Somaiya are known for their strong reputation and good placement packages.
Students should choose colleges based on their CMAT percentile and career goals. While a few top institutes require a very high percentile, many good MBA colleges also accept scores in the 80-90 percentile range. By comparing CMAT cutoffs, MBA fees, placement records, and ROI, candidates can create a shortlist of the best CMAT-accepting colleges and make a better decision for their MBA admission.
