IIM Lucknow vs IIM Kozhikode: Which B-School Should You Choose?

Indian Institute of Management, or IIMs, are among the top B-schools in India and are recognised and appreciated widely. From their cutting-edge curriculum and excellent faculty members to strong placement and alumni network, IIMs are exceptional. However, choosing between B-school giants—IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode—becomes a little complicated. Hard choice, isn’t it? While IIM Lucknow ranks at No 5 under NIRF 2025 rankings, IIM Kozhikode is ranked at No 3. This blog will help you discover which is better IIM L or IIM K. Let's explore the programmes, curriculum, and diversity to find the course that aligns the best with you. So, let’s get started.

IIM Lucknow vs IIM Kozhikode: Quick Comparison

IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode are renowned IIMs for their curriculum, education, and facilities. So, here is a quick comparison between IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode.

IIM Lucknow vs IIM Kozhikode: Accreditations and Rankings

When comparing two institutions, accreditations and rankings play a crucial role. They are the indicators of credibility and academic excellence you can expect. In this section, we are exploring the globally renowned and accredited management colleges such as IIM Lucknow and Kozhikode. Let's take a look: 

IIM Lucknow

IIM Lucknow was established in 1984. With 40+ years of legacy, the institute stood out through its diverse management programmes. Being the most appreciated B-school in Uttar Pradesh, it became famous worldwide with its student exchange programmes. The love from aspiring learners obliged it to spread its legs in Noida. So, you would find the second campus of IIM Lucknow in Noida. However, when it felt like something was missing, there came the rays of triple accreditations:

• AACSB

• AMBA

• EQUIS

These accreditations have adorned the credibility of IIM Lucknow’s programmes worldwide. Keep reading to unravel the secrets of IIM Lucknow’s exceptional courses. Moreover, it is ranked 5th in the NIRF rankings for 2025.

IIM Kozhikode

Located in Kerala, IIM Kozhikode is the pride of South India. Being the fifth campus of the IIM franchise, it was established in 1996. It became famous worldwide for offering management education. The same programmes as IIM Lucknow are shared, and they focus on research, training, consulting, teaching, and intellectual development. Furthermore, you can rest assured about IIM Kozhikode’s credibility with its accreditations and rankings:

• AMBA

• EQUIS

• NIRF Rankings 2025: 3rd

Also Read: A Detailed Look at IIM MBA Fees in 2024: What to Expect?

Campus Life Beyond Classrooms: IIM Lucknow vs IIM Kozhikode

IIM Lucknow’s campus

It is spread over 185 acres of land. Focused on sustainability, you will study in a natural ambience on the campus. It offers a serene, lavish, green environment where academic ventures occur. Ensuring upright-standing tall trees and well-manicured verdant lawns, IIM Lucknow offers one of the most beautiful campuses nationwide.

• Offers you well-maintained, resourceful modular classrooms.

• Allows you to participate in a Sustain-e-Sense flagship event.

• You would be involved in cultural festivals like Aagman.

• Organises sports meets and sports events throughout the year.

• Prepares you for media talks and projects.

• Allow you to enjoy DJ nights, Spic Macay performances, and get-togethers to spice up your learning journey.

IIM Kozhikode campus

It is spread over the hills of the Western Ghats. In addition to modern classrooms, it offers a luxurious residential area. It has seventeen hostels that can admit around 900 students. Spread over 111 acres of land, there is a library, an information centre, and an Indian Business Museum. Its second campus is located in Kochi and has similar amenities.

• Offers you exhilarating student committees like E Cell, Madcom, and Backwaters Committee.

• Facilitates many interest groups, including Omega, Abakus, and Financially Yours.

• As a freshman, you would attend Roobaroo, a cultural festival introducing you to IIMK culture.

• Offers you modern classrooms with best-in-class facilities.

• It allows you to participate in an annual sports meet in Sangram with IIM Bangalore.

• Other exciting clubs here include:

  • Dance Vibes: a dance club

  • K Matinee – a movie club

  • Atharva – a quizzing club

  • K-Dio – IIMK on campus radio club

Academic Programmes and Fee Structure: IIM Lucknow vs IIM Kozhikode

IIM Lucknow is famous for its uniquely designed programmes. On the other hand, IIM Kozhikode offers you a set of advanced management courses. Both institutions have a knack for providing robust curricula. So, how would you choose the best B-school for you? Do you know that when you can’t select a book based on its cover, it’s better to look for the inner content? Similarly, based on the IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode curricula and campus, making the right choice is too complicated. So, let us explore its programmes to learn which B-school aligns with your goals.

Fees at IIM Lucknow

IIM Lucknow offers you a plethora of advanced management programmes. The fee structure varies significantly based on your course type and duration. The fee range for postgraduate programmes is between INR 19,00,000 and INR 20,75,000. Furthermore, as for executive programmes, it ranges from INR 11,25,000 to INR 26,25,000. Moreover, the fees for fellowship and certification programmes lie between INR 5,00,000 and INR 10,00,000. Here is the list of programmes offered at IIM Lucknow:

Postgraduate Programmes

• PGP (Post Graduate Programmes)

• PGP ABM (Post Graduate Programme in Agribusiness Management)

• PGP SM (Post Graduate Programme in Sustainable Management)

PGP for Executives

• PGPWE (Postgraduate Programme in Management for Working Executives)

• IPMX (International Programme in Management for Executives)

Fellow Programmes

• FPM (Fellow Programme in Management)

• EFPM (Executive Fellow Programme in Management)

Certificate Programmes

• MGNF (Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship)

Fees at IIM Kozhikode

IIM Kozhikode offers you various academic and executive programmes. The average fee for academic programmes here is around INR 23,50,000. However, the fee structure strictly varies from INR 50,000 to INR 16,75,000 for executive programmes. Here are the exceptional programmes offered at IIM Kozhikode:

Academic Programmes

• PhD (Doctoral Programme in Management)

• PGP (Post Graduate Programme)

• PGP-Finance (Post Graduate Programme in Finance)

• PGP-LSM (Post Graduate Programme in Liberal Studies & Management)

• PGP-BL (Post Graduate Programme in Business Leadership)

Executive Programmes

• PhD in Management

• MBA for Working Executives (IL – Kozhikode)

• MBA for Working Executives (Kochi Campus)

• MDP (Management Development Programme)

• FDP (Faculty Development Programme)

You must pursue a programme that fits your budget. IIM Kozhikode offers more affordable programmes than IIM Lucknow. If you are looking for budget-friendly MBA or postgraduate courses, IIM Kozhikode might be your ideal fit.

Also Read: Executive MBA From IIMs – Worth the Investment?

Placement Records 2025: IIM Lucknow vs IIM Kozhikode

Studying in one of the top IIMs nationwide and not discussing placements is unfair! Whether it’s IIM Lucknow or IIM Kozhikode, both offer you mind-blowing placements. You could choose the right B-school for you based on its placement records. Here is a detailed analysis of placement records for 2025:

Placements at IIM Lucknow

• A total of 169 recruiters provided placements at IIM Lucknow in 2025.

• Over 21 new recruiters hired candidates from diverse domains at IIM Lucknow.

• Accenture, Deloitte, BCG, EY, McKinsey & Company, and BCG are among the top recruiters here.

• INR 75.0 LPA is the highest CTC for 2025.

• As a student of IIM Lucknow, the average CTC you might get is INR 32.3 LPA.

• The total number of students who participated in placements in 2025 is 583.

Placements at IIM Kozhikode

• IIM Lucknow offered 100% placements for the batch 2023-25.

• 561 students participated in the placements across many roles.

• The average CTC at IIM Lucknow for 2025 is INR 28.18 LPA.

• Furthermore, the median CTC at IIM Kozhikode for 2025 is INR 27.50 LPA.

• The highest domestic CTC at IIM Kozhikode reached INR 81.00 Lakh.

• A total of 13 international offers were given here

• Over 169 recruiters participated in the placements at IIM Kozhikode in 2025.

• 12.5% increase in the highest CTC and 8.3% rise in total recruiters. 

Programme Highlights: Which B-School Aligns with Your Goals?

IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode offer you exceptional programme structures. Even the placement rates are commendable for both. However, making the ideal choice based on these two aspects might complicate your situation. So, here are the programme highlights of studying at IIM Lucknow vs IIM Kozhikode. Let’s go through them:

Also Read: IIM Explained – Full Form, Colleges, Ranking, Curriculum, Fee, more

Alumni Network: Strength in Connections

Both IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode have a robust worldwide alumni network. In both IIMs, you would attend alumni sessions throughout your learning to gain experience-based insights. Here are the great alumni achievements of both institutions:

IIM Lucknow Alumni Achievements

• Shreya Sachdev (Batch 2015): Head of Marketing and Strategy at Puma.

• Neha Prakash (Batch 2011): Honorary Advisor to the Steering Committee at BRICS CCI.

• Prerna Bhutani (Batch 2008): Partner at India Quotient.

• Amit Banati (Batch 1990): CEO of Asia Pacific at Kellogg Company since 2012.

• Sivananth Ramachandran (Batch 2007): Director at Morning Star.

IIM Kozhikode Alumni Achievements

• Anand Iyer (Batch 2010): Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing Vice President.

• Harish Krishnan (Batch 2005): CFA at Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund.

• Avijeet Alagathi (Batch 2011): Managing partner at Veda VC.

• Ashlyn Sajeev (Batch 2019): Senior Brand Manager at P&G; won the global CEO award.

• Nikunj Manpuria with three others (Batch 2019): Recognised as Global Winners in Ideas 4 Action Africa Edition.

Entrance Exams and Cut-Offs

Another factor is the number of seats and the entrance exam weightage. However, the number of seats might be different every year. You must apply for the B-school with the most seats. It could significantly enhance your chances of admission. Next, you could consider the exam weightage in the admission process. Here is a brief analysis based on entrance exams to choose the right B-school:

IIM Lucknow

Weightage for the PI phase of the selection process:

Weightage for the final phase of the selection process:

IIM Kozhikode

Weightage for the PI phase of the selection process:

Weightage for the final phase of the selection process:

Conclusion: The Final Takeaway

India is slowly becoming the hub for worldwide business. From the ancient silk route to spice exports nowadays, the business has always been in the Indian blood. This blood got in the right direction when the first IIM in Calcutta was established in 1961. Its success led to more IIMs over the decades, among which IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode stand out nowadays.

Choosing the right B-school between these two is as hard as picking between your career and passion. However, IIM offers a splendid campus, mind-blowing placements, and an enormous alumni network. You could choose your ideal B-school based on your locational accessibility, programme goals, fees, number of seats, and entrance exam scores.

FAQ

Q1. Is IIM Lucknow better than IIM Kozhikode?

Both IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode are top-tier management schools in India. IIM Kozhikode ranks at No 3 in NIRF 2025 management rankings, whereas IIM L ranks at No. 5. Choosing between the two requires you to analyse what aligns the best with your interests, career goals, and the global industry trends.   

Q2. Is IIM Kozhikode Tier 1 or Tier 2?

Yes, IIM Kozhikode is a Tier- 1 management institute in India. It ranks among To 3 management colleges under the NIRF rankings, replacing IIM Calcutta from the 3rd rank. 

Q3. Is IIM Kozhikode MBA worth it?

Yes, the IIM Kozhikode MBA is worth it and offers an excellent curriculum, a diverse group of peers, an extensive alumni network, highly experienced faculty members, a strong industry reputation, and rigorous training. 

Q4. Is IIM Lucknow tier 1 or 2?

IIM Lucknow is a tier-1 management institute of India. The institute ranks at No 5 in the NIRF management rankings. IIM L is known as the marketing campus, known for creating higher consulting opportunities for learners. In the final placements 2025, the mean placement achieved by the students was INR 32.3 LPA.

Q5. Is it difficult to get into IIM Kozhikode?

To get enrolled in IIM Kozhikode, you must score in the high percentile in CAT. The institute gives a total of 35% weightage to your 10th and 12th marks, next academic and Gender Diversity is given 10%/5%. Remember to practise for the IIMK PI as it holds a significant value for your final selection in the programme.