Is an MBA course relevant? Is the MBA degree too expensive? The moment you start planning for an MBA, there’s a hurricane of questions storming in your mind. But the most daunting one is; is an MBA worth it? Depending on what you want to do with your career, the worth of this degree is decided. 

So yes, MBA is more relevant than ever. The prestige of an MBA degree has always been high for aspiring business professionals. In today’s global economy, the value of courses of MBA remains significant and surely offers a myriad of benefits. Provided you pursue it for all the right reasons. The challenges and opportunities businesses face today need leaders who are thinkers and communicators. In the current times, an MBA has become more like a requisite to become eligible to sit in the higher management chair. That is why the number of students enrolling in different types of MBA courses has increased substantially. 

How to Choose the Right Course of MBA?

For some students, an MBA is a way to access better job opportunities, get a higher paycheck, expand their professional network, or develop business acumen with leadership skills. Those who are accepted into the right college get these benefits early in their career. Therefore, choosing the right college is the first step that will take you closer to your dream. One thing should be kept in mind- selecting a college is a personal decision that relies on your career trajectory which should not be affected by what your friends or colleagues are choosing. 

Here are a few things you must consider while choosing the right college: 

• Identify Your Goals –

  Before you start the research, ask yourself why you want to pursue an MBA degree. Maybe to get a hike in salary, enhance your expertise in a particular field, or add this qualification to your profile. This reason will act as a base to choose the college that aligns with your career goals. 

• Accreditations –

  There are several colleges and universities that offer MBA degrees, what sets them apart is national and international accreditations from reputed regulatory bodies. There are many bodies that offer accreditation and approvals, such as UGC, NAAC, AICTE, AACSB, and WES among others. If you are planning for an online MBA then do check for UGC Distance Education Bureau approval. 

• Reputation –

  The brand name or college’s reputation adds high credibility to your degree. You can see the reputation of an institution by its place in prestigious rankings including NIRF, QS Rankings, etc., and the number of students placed in top MNCs. 

• Cost of the Programme –

  Set a budget for yourself and accordingly study the fee structure of the potential institutions. Many colleges/universities have EMI options as well which can reduce the financial burden. 

• Location of the Institution –

  Especially, when you are going for a regular or part-time MBA, the location of the institution matters a lot. If your college is far from your home, it will cost you time and money. Moreover, an institution in a prime location attracts good companies for placements and collaborations. 

• Curriculum –

  Check for the availability of the specialisation you are interested in. Then thoroughly review the course work and learning methodology adopted by the institution. You should compare the modules, electives, assignment types, and examination methods different colleges have, to get a clear picture of the complete programme. 

• Student Services –

  For regular offline students, it is important to visit the campus and see the facilities and assistance offered to the students. If you are an online learner, then go through the student feedback to know whether the college is responsive to student queries and what kind of assistance they provide. 

• Placements –

  One of the primary reasons why candidates pursue an MBA is to get better job opportunities and that is what they expect from their college. Thus, an institution should have a good placement record, tie-ups with leading companies, and should offer career guidance facilities. 

List of MBA Courses With Details

1. MBA in General Management	10. MBA in Logistics & Supply Chain Management
2. MBA in Marketing	11. MBA in Event Management
3. MBA in Digital Marketing	12. MBA in Accounting
4. MBA in Human Resources	13. MBA in Business Analytics
5. MBA in Finance	14. MBA in Entrepreneurship
6. MBA in Operations Management	15. MBA in International Business
7. MBA in Healthcare Management	16. MBA in Leadership
8. MBA in Information Technology	17. MBA in Project Management
9. MBA in Rural Management

Let’s discuss these courses of MBA in detail:

1. MBA in General Management

An MBA in General Management is a widely chosen programme of MBA because it offers an in-depth view of all the core business areas including HR, finance, marketing, and finance. This expands your knowledge base and strengthens your basics if you are from a different background. As this is a general program, the fee structure is also very less and almost every institution offers this programme. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution)
Course Fee	₹ 10,00,000 – 30,00,000
Career Prospects	Finance Manager, HR Manager, Product Manager, Project Manager, Business Operations Manager, Logistics Manager, etc.

2. MBA in Marketing 

A Marketer’s job is to understand and discover the needs of the customers in order to provide them with a product or service that meets those demands. The courses familiarise students with the way to compete and outperform competitors in the same market. In keeping with traditional marketing, an MBA in Marketing concentrates around the 4P’s – Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Understanding customer behaviour, creating relationships with them, and a little bit of internet marketing are all covered in this MBA specialisation. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 3,00,000 – 25,00,000
Career Prospects	Brand Manager, Sales Manager, Business Development Manager, Marketing Analyst, Marketing Manager, etc.

Related: Guide To The Best Marketing Jobs After MBA

3. MBA in Digital Marketing 

We are all aware of the growing relevance of digital marketing which is why several universities have begun to offer an MBA in Digital Marketing. An MBA in Digital Marketing is one of the rapidly trending courses of MBA, It equips you with diverse skills that are highly relevant in today’s marketplace, including SEO, SEM, SMM, website development, content management, email marketing, and more, as well as managerial abilities. As a digital marketer, you will have to design effective campaigns applying marketing principles relevant to the digital world. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 3,00,000 – 15,00,000
Career Prospects	Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, Content Writer, Campaign Manager, SEO Manager, Paid Media Manager, etc.

4. MBA in Human Resources 

A company’s human resources department is in charge of hiring, training, and developing a team of skilled workers. Therefore, an HR Professional must keep track of the employee’s performance on a regular basis, manage their salaries and promotions, and develop a strong employee policy to promote a healthy work environment. An MBA in Human Resources will provide you with all of the essential information and training to carry out the functions listed above. Crisis management abilities, clear communication skills, leadership traits, sensitivity, and coordination skills are the things you will learn in this programme. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 5,00,000 – 20,00,000
Career Prospects	HR Manager, HR Analytics Specialist,  Talent Acquisition Manager, Training and Development, etc.

5. MBA in Finance 

This two-year postgraduate programme is one of the most popular streams of MBA in India. You should have a strong background in Mathematics and Accounting. MBA in Finance will provide you with the knowledge of management, control, and review of investment and other financial resources of an individual or organisation. It can be pursued in full-time, part-time, online and distance modes of education. Owing to its high demand in the market, companies pay lucrative packages to capable candidates.  

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 5,00,000 – 25,00,000
Career Prospects	Finance Manager, Financial Analyst, Personal Finance Advisor, Budget Analyst, Account Manager, Credit Manager, etc.

Related: High Paying Job Opportunities After MBA in Finance

6. MBA in Operations Management

This MBA in Operations Management emphasises on planning, organising, supervising and launching products or services. The course work covers the complete process of sourcing raw materials and manufacturing procedure which requires analytical and organisational skills. The career opportunities in this field have drastically increased. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 4,00,000 – 20,00,000
Career Prospects	Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Consulting Managers, Plant Manager, etc.

7. MBA in Healthcare Management 

This MBA concentration trains you to manage the healthcare system, with a focus on how to deal with daily operations at a healthcare facility. The COVID-19 pandemic created a need for well-trained and skilled professionals to fulfil the shortage of manpower in the healthcare sector. All individuals interested in the fields of pharmaceuticals, insurance, and hospitals can pursue an MBA in Healthcare Management.

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 2,00,000 – 10,00,000
Career Prospects	Hospital Administrator, Pharmaceutical Project Manager, Health Informatics Manager,  etc.

8. MBA in Information Technology 

Aspiring candidates who are looking forward to learning about business and information systems can pursue this MBA specialisation. MBA in IT course will develop their skills to combine business strategies with advanced technology practices including concepts of information security, project management and telecommunications. The programme consists of topics like software quality assurance, information system management, e-business, and many others.  

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 10,00,000 – 23, 00,000
Career Prospects	System Software Manager, IT Management Consultant, Business Analyst, IT Manager, Product Manager, Information Security Analyst,  etc.

9. MBA in Rural Management 

This field includes the study of rural economy, agribusiness, planning, organising and maintaining co-operatives in rural areas. An MBA in Rural Management will teach you the application of management principles and these specialists work in the CSR wings of micro-finance institutions, and small finance banks among others. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, IBSAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 2,00,000 – 17,00,000
Career Prospects	Rural Development Officer, Research Officer, National Sales Development Manager, etc.

10. MBA in Logistics & Supply Chain Management 

This two-year MBA concentration prepares you to develop new and effective logistics management strategies, lowering time and cost while raising production levels. The proposed course will build your knowledge base about the entire supply chain process including the flow of products from dealer to producer to wholesaler to retailer and ultimately to the consumer. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 4,00,000 to 15,00,000
Career Prospects	Supply Chain Manager, Supply Chain Analyst, Operations Manager, Purchasing Manager, Business Manager, Transport officer, Quality Manager, etc.

11. MBA in Event Management 

Event management has grown in popularity in recent years and is an excellent career choice. An MBA in Event Management teaches you how to identify and segment a specific target audience for an event, select themes that are relevant to them, plan logistics, promote the event extensively, provide an anticipated budget, and successfully manage the event. Crisis management and heavy coordination are two significant features of event management and in this course you will learn these skills. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 2,00,000 to 15,00,000
Career Prospects	Conference Centre Manager, Event Manager, Public House Manager, Restaurant Manager, Hotel Manager, etc.

12. MBA in Accounting

As the name of the specialisation suggests, this two-year MBA course will teach you subjects like Accounting, Taxation, Marketing, and Finance among others. Apart from this, you will be able to build expertise in Auditing, Financial Reporting, and Acquisitions & Mergers. As an Accounts Professional is required in every organisation, this career field has always been a popular choice among MBA graduates. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 1,40,000 – 7,00,000
Career Prospects	Accounts Manager, Accounting Analyst, Controller, Chief Compliance officer, Finance Advisor, etc.

13. MBA in Business Analytics

This MBA specialisation provides comprehensive knowledge of business principles and analytical techniques. Generally, the programme includes subjects like Database Management, Data Mining, Big Data Hadoop, Data Visualisation and others. Business analytics field is in high demand because of which career opportunities in this field are immense. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 7,00,000 – 15,00,000
Career Prospects	Big Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Predictive Modeller, Data Architect,  Statistician, Data Scientist, Application Architect, Market Research Analyst, etc.

14. MBA in Entrepreneurship

MBA in Entrepreneurship is an ideal choice if you wish to start your own venture. The curriculum of this degree will cover the standard MBA coursework along with venture capital, asset management and other entrepreneurial modules. This course focuses on helping you create and run start-ups. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 6,00,000 – 18,00,000
Career Prospects	Business Owner, CEO, Director, Development Officer, etc.

15. MBA in International Business

International Business specialisation of MBA incorporates the procedure and documentation for export and import. You will learn about the concepts of raising capital from the international market and understanding of the distribution market. An MBA in International Business is a pathway to your career in global business. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 4,00,000 – 20,00,000
Career Prospects	Global Project Manager, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Risk Manager, Investment Banker, Exports Manager, International Marketing Manager, etc.

16. MBA in Leadership

This post-graduation course teaches how managers can develop their skills to become leaders by addressing the human side of enterprise. Through case studies, students can examine the legal, ethical and economic responsibilities of corporate leaders. This specialisation emphasises on developing critical thinking skills, decision-making skills, teamwork and helps build an effective management aptitude. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 5,00,000 – 25,00,000
Career Prospects	Project Manager, Business Development Manager, Strategic Planning Manager, Corporate Strategy Manager, General Manager, etc.

17. MBA in Project Management

This course trains candidates to become decisive and think strategically in the dynamic business world. It covers the concepts of project planning, execution, project control system, risk management, project contracting and clearance and topics related to the project life cycle. An MBA in Project Management graduate is eligible to work in sectors like IT, Construction, Healthcare and many others. 

Course Highlights:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Entrance Exams	CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT
Admission Process	Entrance Exams followed by Group Discussions, Written Analysis Tests, and Personal Interviews (varies as per institution).
Course Fee	₹ 3,00,000 – 10,00,000
Career Prospects	Project Manager, Program Manager, Scrum Manager, Project Portfolio Manager, Project Consultant, Project Head, etc.

Different Types of MBA Programmes 

• Full-time MBA –

  In this type of MBA, students need to be present in class physically and should not hold any employment during the course. A full-time MBA is of two types: one-year and two-year programmes. 

• Part-time MBA –

  It is a flexible learning format compared to the full-time course and does not require you to stop working. They are less competitive and take longer than 18 to 24 months to complete. Depending upon the institution, this MBA course can have in-person classes on weekends or online. 

• Executive MBA –

  This MBA is specifically designed for executives or professionals with more than 5 years of experience. The aim of the MBA is to elevate your career and help you climb the corporate ladder. Mostly, there are considered a subset of part-time MBA because the classes are sometimes conducted on weekends, thus allowing you to continue with your job. 

• Distance/Online MBA –

  It is the most flexible format of MBA where you do not require any offline classes and exams are also conducted via online mode, especially in online learning. Distance and online MBA courses are much more affordable compared to other formats. 

• Specialised MBA –

  MBA with a specialisation allows you to build expertise in a particular field while acquiring business acumen. It is also a preferred way to change your career path from one sector to another. 

List of MBA Entrance Exams

Exam Name	Exam Date
CAT 2023	26th November 2023
CMAT 2024	To be declared
XAT 2024	7th January 2024
MAT 2023	MAT PBT: 3 September 2023  MAT CBT: 17 September 2023
NMAT by GMAC 2023	To be declared
SNAP 2023	To be declared

List of Top Full-time MBA Colleges

Here’s a list of top regular MBA colleges with their NIRF Rankings in Management Category

Institution Name	Rankings/ Accreditation	Fee Structure
IIM Ahmedabad	NIRF: 1	₹ 25,00,000 (full course)
IIM Bangalore	NIRF: 2	₹ 24,50,000: 28,50,000 (for working professionals)
IIM Indore	NIRF: 8	₹ 18,42, 222: 20,10,800 (depends upon the specialisation)
IIM Calcutta	NIRF: 4	₹ 31,00,000
IIM Lucknow	NIRF: 6	₹ 19,25,000: 20,75,000
IIT Bombay	NIRF: 10	₹ 3,63,100
SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies	NIRF: 21 NAAC A+	₹ 6,52,000
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management	NIRF: 17	₹ 18,29,000: 24,59,000 (depends on the specialisation)
Great Lakes Institute of Management	NIRF: 31 AICTE	₹ 14,10,000
Chandigarh University	NIRF: 36 NAAC A+	₹ 1,00,000: 164,000 (depends on the specialisation)
UPES	NIRF: 39 NAAC A	₹ 15,72,000: 17,51,400
Amity University	NIRF: 28 NAAC A+	₹ 1,21,500: 3,89,000

List of Top Online MBA Colleges

Institution Name	Rankings/ Accreditations	Fee Structure
Manipal University	NAAC A+ NIRF: 101-150 (University Category)	₹ 1,00,000: 6,00,000 (full course)
Jain University	NAAC A++ NIRF: 68 (University Category)	₹ 1,50,000: 2,60,000 (full course)
Symbiosis International University
Amity University	NAAC A + NIRF: 22 (Overall)	₹ 1,61,000 (full course)
Chandigarh University	NAAC A+ NIRF: 45th (Overall)	₹ 2,00,000 (full course)
UPES	NAAC A NIRF: 79 (Overall Category)	₹ 1,50,000: 2,00,000 (full course)
Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune	NAAC A+ NIRF: 81 (Overall)	₹ 1,40,000 (full course)
Uttaranchal University	NAAC A+	₹ 68,000 (full course)
ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad	NAAC A+	₹ 2,00,000 (full course)

Bottom Line 

Multiple learning formats and specialisation options for an MBA degree allow you to design your course according to your needs. While some prefer a regular full-time MBA course, others decide to continue with their jobs and complete their degree simultaneously. Therefore, it depends entirely upon the candidate’s personal goals and interests to choose from the above-mentioned list of MBA courses.