The exam itself is only half the story if you are planning to register for the CAT exam 2026 – the most popular entrance exam for management courses. Choosing the best college from the list of top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores is the true decision, the one that will determine your first job and the next two years.
With the CAT exam 2026 just a couple of months away, students might be wondering which colleges are the best for MBA admission through CAT, and most importantly, how they can compete against intense competition for seats in top IIMs. The 22 IIMs are not the only ones.
However, if they fail to get into an IIM, they can still apply for CAT for admission to over 1600 colleges accepting CAT scores in India, which is just a rough estimate. Most people are unaware of how long that list is. It includes private CAT colleges in India, like KCC ITM, MDI Gurgaon, Amity University, and SPJIMR Mumbai, as well as government CAT-accepting colleges like FMS Delhi, IIM Lucknow, and IIT DOMS Delhi, all of which use your CAT percentile as the primary admissions criterion.
This guide compiles all the information you require in one location: a list of the best MBA colleges accepting CAT scores, ranked by NIRF; anticipated CAT cut-off percentiles for 2026; fee comparison and placement salary; and a breakdown by percentile so you know precisely where you stand.
All of these figures are derived from official rankings and current admission data.
What Does "Accepting CAT" Really Mean?
During MBA Admission through CAT, more than 1,600 B-schools in India employ the CAT percentile in one way or another each year. However, "accepting CAT" does not imply that a high score will secure a seat; rather, it indicates that CAT is your ticket to the following round.
All IIMs and the majority of the CAT-accepting colleges in India use a two-step filter:
-
Qualifying CAT cut-off: The minimum percentile required to advance to the following round (written ability test, group discussion, or personal interview).
-
Final Selection cut-off: the significantly higher percentile required to convert an admission offer after accounting for interview performance, work experience, and academic scores.
For this reason, an applicant with a 90 percentile may still be accepted into the top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores, whereas someone with a 96 percentile may not, depending on their profile and category. As you read the table below, keep in mind that these are indicative shortlisting criteria rather than admission guarantees.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score in India
Top IIMs accepting CAT scores with fees, placement and cut-offs
Institutes of Management (IIMs) are a collection of 22 public, independent management education and research institutions that accept CAT scores for MBA admissions. Their main program include postgraduate, doctoral, and executive education. The list of the top IIMs accepting CAT scores is given below along with their fee structure, placements, and cut-off percentiles.
|
CAT colleges
|
Total Fee (in Rs.)
|
Average Placement
|
CAT Cut-Off/ Percentile
|
|
IIM Ahmedabad
|
Rs. 20.1 Lakh
|
Rs. 20 – 35 LPA
|
99+
|
|
IIM Bangalore
|
Rs. 26 Lakh
|
Rs. 28 – 32 LPA
|
99+
|
|
IIM Calcutta
|
Rs. 27 Lakh
|
Rs. 31 – 36 LPA
|
99+
|
|
IIM Lucknow
|
Rs. 11 – 26 Lakh
|
Rs. 27.5 LPA
|
97+
|
|
IIM Kozhikode
|
Rs. 14 – 22.5 Lakh
|
Rs. 25 – 27 LPA
|
97+
|
|
IIM Indore
|
Rs. 20.7 – 24 Lakh
|
Rs. 25 – 27 LPA
|
97+
|
|
IIM Rohtak
|
Rs. 18.9 Lakh
|
Rs. 16 – 18 LPA
|
97+
|
|
IIM Ranchi
|
Rs. 18.9 Lakh
|
Rs. 16 – 17.9 LPA
|
95+
|
|
IIM Trichy
|
Rs. 18.5 Lakh
|
Rs. 14.5 – 16.8 LPA
|
95+
|
|
IIM Amritsar
|
Rs. 14.2 Lakh
|
Rs. 14 – 16 LPA
|
95+
|
|
IIM Kashipur
|
Rs. 11.4 – 20.5 Lakh
|
Rs. 12 – 14.5 LPA
|
95+
|
|
IIM Nagpur
|
Rs. 9.3 – 21 Lakh
|
Rs. 17 LPA
|
95+
|
|
IIM Bodhgaya
|
Rs. 9.6 Lakh
|
Rs. 10 – 12 LPA
|
94+
|
|
IIM Udaipur
|
Rs. 14.2 – 20 Lakh
|
Rs. 12 – 17 LPA
|
94+
|
|
IIM Sambalpur
|
Rs. 6.5 – 16 Lakh
|
Rs. 12 – 15 LPA
|
90+
|
|
IIM Sirmaur
|
Rs. 16.8 – 17.5 Lakh
|
Rs. 12.5 LPA
|
90+
|
|
IIM Jammu
|
Rs. 8.4 – 14.4 Lakh
|
Rs. 14 – 15.8 LPA
|
91+
|
|
IIM Raipur
|
Rs. 18.4 Lakh
|
Rs. 16 – 17.5 LPA
|
90+
|
|
IIM Shillong
|
Rs. 20 – 25.3 Lakh
|
Rs. 22 – 26 LPA
|
90+
|
|
IIM Visakhapatnam
|
Rs. 8.3 – 19.8 Lakh
|
Rs. 14 – 15 LPA
|
85+
|
|
IIM Mumbai
|
Rs. 25 Lakh
|
Rs. 35 – 41 LPA
|
85+
|
List of top non-IIM colleges accepting CAT scores
If you can’t get a seat in any of the above IIMs, don’t get disheartened. Admission to top tier-non-IIM colleges accepting CAT scores with high brand value and placement depth is still available to you. Check out the list of the best MBA colleges through CAT outside of IIMs in the table below, along with their fee structure, placement, and cut-offs.
|
CAT colleges
|
Total Fee (in Rs.)
|
Average Placement
|
CAT Cut-Off/ Percentile
|
|
DMS IIT – Delhi
|
Rs. 12 Lakh
|
Rs. 22.5 LPA
|
99+
|
|
FMS Delhi
|
Rs. 2.4 Lakh
|
Rs. 32 LPA
|
98+
|
|
MDI Gurgaon
|
Rs. 4.8 – 19.2 Lakh
|
Rs. 29 LPA
|
95 – 97%
|
|
VGSOM IIT – Kharagpur
|
Rs. 10 – 25 Lakh
|
Rs. 22 LPA
|
90+
|
|
DOMS IIT – Madras
|
Rs. 10 – 17 Lakh
|
Rs. 18 LPA
|
85.11+
|
|
SJMSOM IIT - Bombay
|
Rs. 15.6 Lakh
|
Rs. 26 LPA
|
90+
|
|
IIFT Delhi
|
Rs. 5.3 – 21.8 Lakh
|
Rs. 26 LPA
|
98+
|
|
SPJIMR Mumbai
|
Rs. 11 – 28.5 Lakh
|
Rs. 25 – 33 LPA
|
85+
|
|
KCC ITM
|
Rs. 2.6 Lakh
|
Rs. 6-12 LPA
|
-
|
|
IMT, Ghaziabad
|
Rs. 9.3 – 22.3 Lakh
|
Rs 16 – 18 LPA
|
90+
|
It should be noted that FMS Delhi does not participate in the NIRF rankings, so it does not appear in the official ranking table, despite being one of the most sought-after CAT-accepting MBA colleges due to its exceptional return on investment. Nevertheless, it continues to be a top choice among CAT applicants, as you can see in the fee and placement comparison further down.
Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score in Delhi NCR
Top MBA Colleges accepting CAT scores in Delhi NCR are among the best in the country, including FMS, KCC ITM, DoMS IIT Delhi, IIFT, IIM Rohtak, and more. The list below will help you select the best college that matches your career aspirations.
|
Top MBA Colleges
|
NIRF 2025
|
Total Fees/Seats
|
Eligibility / Exams
|
MBA Salary
|
|
FMS, Delhi
|
|
Rs. 2.4 Lakh
Seats: 314
|
Graduation: 50%
CAT
|
Rs. 32 LPA
|
|
IIT Delhi
|
4
|
Rs. 12 lakh
Seats: 120
|
Graduation: 60%
CAT
|
Rs. 22.5 LPA
|
|
MDI, Gurgaon
|
9
|
Rs. 4.8 – 19.2 Lakh
Seat: 540-810
|
Graduation: 60%
CAT, ATMA, XAT, MAT, CMAT
|
Rs. 26 LPA
|
|
IIFT, Delhi
|
17
|
Rs. 17.2 – 21.8 lakh
Seats: 780
|
Graduation: 50%
CAT, IIFT
|
Rs. 25 LPA
|
|
IIM Rohtak
|
19
|
Rs. 18.9 Lakh
|
Graduation: 60%
CAT, IPMAT
|
Rs. 16 – 18 LPA
|
|
IMI Delhi
|
40
|
Rs. 13.7 – 20.6 Lakhs
Seats: 720
|
Graduation: 50%
CAT, XAT
|
Rs. 16.5 LPA
|
|
Jaipuria Institute of Management
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
Amity University, Noida
|
49
|
Rs. 6.4-26.4 Lakh
Seats: 500
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CAT, NMAT, CMAT, GMAT, CUET-PG
|
Rs. 6.5 LPA
|
|
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon
|
50
|
Rs. 12.4 – 13.3 Lakh
|
Graduation: 50%
XAT, CAT, NMAT
|
Rs. 11 – 15 LPA
|
|
Fore School of Management, Delhi
|
59
|
Rs. 11.5 – 23.2 Lakh
Seats: 780
|
Graduation: 50%
XAT, CAT, CMAT
|
Rs. 15 LPA
|
|
Birla Institute of Management Technology, Noida
|
61
|
Rs. 13 – 14 Lakh
Seats:
|
Graduation: 50%
XAT, CAT, CMAT, MAT
|
Rs. 10 LPA
|
|
GGSIPU, Delhi
|
76
|
Rs. 1.5-4.4 Lakh
Seats: 3.5K-4K
|
Graduation: 50%
CAT, XAT, MAT, IPU CET, CUET PG, CMAT
|
Rs. 6-10 LPA
|
|
BML Munjal University, Gurgaon
|
77
|
Rs. 14.6–20 Lakh
Seats: 750
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CMAT, CAT, NMAT, UGAT, CUET PG, SAT
|
Rs. 9 LPA
|
|
New Delhi Institute of Management
|
86
|
INR 13.8 Lakh
Seats: 600
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CMAT, CAT, ATMA
|
Rs. 9.5 LPA
|
|
Jamia Hamdard
|
87
|
Rs. 5.2 Lakh
Seats: 180
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, GMAT, CAT, CMAT, ATMA, GPAT
|
Rs. 5.5 LPA
|
|
KCC ITM
|
|
Rs. 2.6 Lakh
Seats: 240
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CAT, CMAT, ATMA, NMAT, MAT
|
Rs. 6 – 12 LPA
|
Top colleges accepting CAT score in Noida
Noida is home to some of the best private MBA Colleges accepting CAT score which is mentioned in the below table along with their NIRF rankings, fee structure, eligibility, and average placement salary.
|
Top MBA Colleges
|
Total Fees/Seats
|
Eligibility / Exams
|
MBA Salary
|
|
Jaipuria Institute of Management
|
Rs. 14.8 – 16.5 Lakh
Seats: 720
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CAT, CMAT
|
Rs. 12.6 LPA
|
|
Amity University, Noida
|
Rs. 6.4-26.4 Lakh
Seats: 500
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CAT, NMAT, CMAT, GMAT, CUET-PG
|
Rs. 6.5 LPA
|
|
Birla Institute of Management Technology, Noida
|
Rs. 13 – 14 Lakh
Seats:
|
Graduation: 50%
XAT, CAT, CMAT, MAT
|
Rs. 10 LPA
|
|
KCC ITM
|
Rs. 2.6 Lakh
Seats: 240
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CAT, CMAT, ATMA, NMAT, MAT
|
Rs. 6 – 12 LPA
|
|
Galgotias University
|
INR 90K-6.3 Lakh
Seats: 900
|
Graduation: 50-60%
CUET-PG, MAT, CAT, NMAT, CMAT, CUET
|
INR 3.5 LPA
|
|
Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology
|
INR 2.1-2.4 Lakh
Seats: 300
|
Graduation: 45%
CUET, UPTAC
|
INR 4 LPA
|
|
G.L. Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management
|
INR 1.33 lakh
Seats: 780
|
Graduation: 50%
CAT, MAT, UPTAC, CUET PG
|
INR 4.5 LPA
|
|
Gautam Buddha University
|
INR 1.3-4.8 Lakh
Seats: 120
|
Graduation: 50%
CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, CUET PG
|
INR 4-5 LPA
|
|
Sharda University
|
INR 8-10.9 Lakh
Seats: NA
|
Graduation: 50%
SUAT, MAT, XAT, CAT, CUET-PG
|
INR 6 LPA
|
|
IIMT Greater Noida
|
INR 2.7 Lakh
Seats: 120
|
Graduation: 50%
MAT, CAT, CUET-PG
|
INR 4.8 LPA
|
CAT-Accepting Colleges Eligibility Requirements
Graduating from high school in any stream qualifies candidates for the CAT 2026 exam. Keep reading to know the eligibility criteria in detail.
-
To apply to the best MBA colleges accepting CAT scores, all aspirants must have received a bachelor's degree in any stream with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 50% (or an equal percentage for SC, ST, and PWD/DA category candidates) from a recognized university.
-
Those who have earned the required percentage in a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) are also eligible to apply for admission.
-
Candidates must have cleared the CAT exam with the qualifying cut-off marks required by their desired college.
-
Applicants who are awaiting results or who are in their last year of a bachelor's degree or comparable certification are also eligible to apply to the top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores.
-
There is no age limit for this exam. However, some MBA colleges accepting CAT 2026 may have specific age limitations for MBA programs.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: How to Apply
Candidates must get ready for the next stages of the selection process after the CAT score is made public, including:
-
Candidate Shortlist: Based on the CAT cut-off, institutions such as the IIMs and other MBA colleges accepting CAT 2026 publish a list of selected applicants.
-
Group Discussion (GD): Have a conversation with your peers to show off your ability to collaborate and communicate.
-
Written Ability Test (WAT): Provide concise, well-organized responses to demonstrate your written communication abilities.
-
Personal Interview (PI): To impress the panel, emphasize your professional background, academic accomplishments, and future goals.
-
Final Admission: Pay your admission fee after selection and visit the college for final document verification.
How to choose the best MBA colleges accepting CAT score with placements?
Rather than the finish line, rank and cut-off are the initial filters. Consider the following before deciding on your college list:
-
Strength in specialization: A CAT-accepting MBA college with a lower overall ranking might be the top in business analytics, marketing, or finance.
-
Cohort diversity and average work experience: Peer learning and classroom discussions are influenced by it just as much as by faculty.
-
Location and recruiter footprint: On-campus recruiter visits are usually more frequent for CAT accepting colleges in Delhi NCR and Noida.
-
Fee-to-placement ratio: Based on a comparison among the MBA ROI colleges, a less expensive college with good placements (like FMS Delhi) can outperform a more expensive one.
-
Category-specific cut-offs: Since relaxations differ significantly across IIMs and non-IIMs, candidates in the reserved category should examine the cut-offs of each individual institute.
-
Infrastructure and Campus: Examine the infrastructure, library resources, and campus amenities. A favourable learning atmosphere is offered by contemporary campuses like those of IIMs and MDI Gurgaon.
Top MBA colleges accepting CAT with low fees
Several affordable MBA colleges accepting CAT, including Delhi School of Economics, FMS Delhi, BHU, and KCC ITM, charge less than Rs. 3 lakhs. Check the table below to find the best low-fee MBA colleges in India, their fees, and eligibility criteria.
|
Top MBA Colleges
|
Total Fees
|
Eligibility / Exams
|
|
FMS
|
Rs. 2.4 Lakh
|
10+2: 60%
CAT
|
|
BHU
|
Rs. 1 – 1.2 Lakh
|
10+2: 50%
CAT
|
|
Panjab University
|
Rs. 63.35 K – 4 Lakh
|
10+2: 50%
CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT
|
|
Chitkara College of Sales and Marketing
|
Rs. 2.3 – 3.3 Lakh
|
10+2: 50%
CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT
|
|
Dhanwate National College
|
Rs. 19.7 K
|
10+2: 50%
ATMA, MAH CET, CAT, CMAT
|
|
KCC ITM
|
Rs. 2.6 Lakh
|
10+2: 50%
ATMA, CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT
|
Can I Get Admission to an MBA College with a Low CAT Score?
Yes, even with a poor CAT score, you can still be admitted to several respectable MBA colleges in India.
-
60–80 Percentile Range: Moderate CAT scores in the 60–80 range are accepted by institutions such as KCC ITM, Jaipuria Institute of Management, NDIM Delhi, and IMS Ghaziabad.
-
40–60 Percentile Range: Scores between 40 and 60 percentiles are accepted by many Tier-3 and regional private business schools, which place more emphasis on your whole profile than the entrance exam alone.
-
Alternative Entrance Tests: Results from other tests, such as the MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, or GMAT, are accepted by many universities. Additionally, several universities administer their own entrance tests.
-
Holistic Evaluation: B-schools frequently consider factors other than exam results, such as work experience, GD and PI performance, and prior academic records (Class 10, 12, and graduation).
You can develop a workable application approach with the aid of your target percentile:
|
CAT Percentile
|
General College Target
|
|
99+
|
Top IIMs and highly competitive B-schools
|
|
95–99
|
IIMs, IIT management schools and leading B-schools
|
|
90–95
|
Several reputed MBA institutes
|
|
80–90
|
Many established private B-schools
|
|
70–80
|
Selected private and regional MBA colleges
|
CAT 2026 vs. Other Entrance Exams
Although the CAT is the most widely used, applicants can take alternative MBA entrance exams to gain admission to prestigious business schools:
Check out the exam dates and other important dates of various management entrance exams in India in the table below, along with the exam pattern:
|
Entrance Exam
|
Number of Questions
|
Time Allotted
|
Last Date to Apply
|
Exam Timeline
|
Official website
|
|
CAT 2026
|
68
|
120 minutes
|
15 September 2026 (5:00 PM)
|
29 November 2026
|
iimcat.ac.in
|
|
XAT 2027
|
95
|
180
minutes
|
December 6, 2026
|
January 3, 2027
|
xatonline.in
|
|
NMAT 2026
|
108
|
120 minutes
|
October 10, 2026
|
November 2 to December 20, 2026
|
www.mba.com/en-in/exams/nmat
|
|
CMAT 2027
|
100
|
180 minutes
|
October/ November 2026 Expected
|
January 2027 Expected
|
https://cmat.nta.nic.in/
|
|
IBSAT 2026
|
140
|
120 minutes
|
Third week of December 2026
|
December 26–27, 2026, Tentative
|
https://admissions.ibsindia.org/ibsat/
|
|
MAT 2026
|
150
|
120 minutes
|
September 7, 2026 (PBT)
September 14, 2026 (CBT)
|
September 13, 2026 (PBT)
September 20, 2026 (CBT)
|
https://mat.aima.in/
|
|
TANCET 2026
|
100
|
120 minutes
|
April 16, 2026
|
May 9, 2026
|
https://tancet.annauniv.edu/tancet/
|
|
CUET PG 2027
|
75
|
105 minutes
|
December 2026 Tentative
|
March 2026 Tentative
|
https://nta.ac.in/
|
Conclusion
Your first step toward a prosperous management career is passing the CAT 2026 exam. You can realize your dream of enrolling in prestigious CAT-accepting MBA colleges by doing very well on the CAT, being well-prepared for the selection process, and selecting the appropriate business school. Watch the official website for updates, and make sure you are well-prepared for the GD, PI, and WAT rounds.
Students should assess their academic profile, set a target percentile, comprehend sectional requirements, and compile a well-rounded list of safe, reasonable, and ambitious college possibilities. Before deciding whether to submit an application, always check the most recent deadline and admission requirements directly from the institution.
Frequently Asked Questions About MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score
Q1. Which are the top MBA colleges accepting CAT score?
India is home to over 1600 MBA colleges, and a huge chunk of them accept CAT scores for admission to various management courses, including MBA and PGDM.
Q2. Can I get admission to IIMs through CAT?
CAT is the only way one can get into an IIM and many other MBA colleges in India. Students must register for the exam and clear it with a qualifying cut-off.
Q3. Which MBA colleges accept 90 percentile in CAT?
IIMs, IITs, IIFT, FMS, and MDI are the top tier-1 colleges that require students to achieve at least 90 percentile for admission. However, this number is significantly reduced for reserved categories.
Q4. Which colleges accept 80 percentile in CAT?
With placement salaries often ranging from ₹10 to 15 LPA, an 80 percentile score on the CAT opens doors to respectable Tier-2 MBA colleges in India.
Q5. Which is the best non-IIM college accepting CAT?
MDI, FMS, IIFT, Fore School of Management, BIMTECH, Amity University, and KCC ITM are among the top non-IIM colleges accepting CAT scores.
Q6. What is a good CAT percentile for MBA admission?
Although a "good" score relies completely on the particular college you want to target, a good Common Admission Test (CAT) percentile for MBA admission typically starts at the 95th percentile and above for top-tier business schools.