Aayushi
22 February, 2024
Table of Contents
An Online MBA is like the ticket to Hogwarts for your career. It is the “swish and flick” for your wand that makes your career levitate without ever having to utter “Wingardium Leviosa”. However, unlike Hogwarts, there are many universities that offer an Online MBA programme. But how do you choose one? Maybe you can seek help from Hemione Granger. But she will ask you exactly the same question as we are- Best Online MBA Degree College for what?
Prominent bodies like the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) certify MBA institutions and their programmes in India. Distance Education Bureau (DEC) is another such leading body that accredits distance MBA programmes in the country.
Take a deep breath. It’s not the Triwizard Maze. All you have to do is to answer a few questions to identify your goal for pursuing an MBA. Whether you seek career growth, placement opportunities, an MBA tag to impress your employer, skill development or everything! Only after you identify your priorities will it make sense to start hunting for a college.
Are all these questions making you feel like Naruto? You can relax as this blog is going to be your Jiraiya, helping you master the MBA Rasengan and sail through the adversities of the professional world. So, without wasting any time, let’s quickly explore Top Online MBA Colleges offering a blend of academic excellence, professional development opportunities, skill development along with lots and lots of…yes, you guessed it right- flexibility!
Going for an Online MBA is like any other career move. You must have well-defined goals on what you want to achieve from your MBA. This will not only make your MBA journey smooth but will also help you navigate through the different college options. You can start by asking the right questions. These include:
Once you have the answers to all the above-mentioned questions, you will have in front of you the expectations that you have from your MBA degree.
If you have watched the movie “Confessions of a Shopaholic” then, you must be well aware of what going over your budget can lead to. To avoid a wild goose chase, it is wise to first define a budget for your Online MBA. In India, the fee for an Online MBA can range anywhere between INR 50,000 to INR 10,00,000. Therefore, it becomes important to understand how much you can and you should spend on getting a degree. For instance, if you simply want an MBA tag, then it is not very smart to spend lacs of bucks on an MBA. However, if you want career advancement opportunities or hands-on experience, then you must go for a college that offers them all and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Did you know that today there are over 50 MBA specialisation options to choose from? Yes, more than 50! So, how do you find your perfect match? How do you ensure that the wand you pick has all the right characteristics that complement your interests, passions and goals? It’s a million-dollar question. Before jumping on to answers, let us first explore what all specialisation options are available for you:
| General Management | Accounting | Healthcare Management |
| Finance | Analytics & Data Science | Power Management |
| Marketing | Digital Marketing | Entrepreneurship |
| Pharmaceutical Management | E-Commerce | AgriBusiness Management |
| Banking And Insurance Management | Hospitality Management | IT Management |
| IT & FinTech | Event Management | International Business |
| Operations | Strategy & Leadership | Aviation Management |
| HR Management | Petroleum & Natural Gas Management | Construction Management |
| Retail Management | Business Analytics | Supply Chain Management |
| Travel & Tourism Management | Management Information Systems | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning |
Now that you know what all specialisation options are available to you, let us address the elephant in the room. How to choose the right MBA specialisation? Here are a few steps you can follow:
And viola! There’s a match made in heaven- your perfect MBA specialisation.
How wonderful it would have been if there were a Sorting Hat who could pinpoint just the right college for you. Luckily, you can be your own Sorting Hat, that too without any professional expertise. That’s right. Let’s quickly go through the steps you can follow to find the right MBA college for you.
Everyone wants to get into IIMs. Sadly, not everyone can spare two years of their life to attend a full-time residential programme, putting their career on hold. But not to fret! Today, there are many top universities offering Online MBA courses which are at par with the IIMs. You get to study all the same things and get all the same opportunities, all without having to step out of your homes (unless you want to bunk and hit the movies instead!). So, here’s a list of top management colleges as ranked by NIRF offering Online MBA programmes.
| Sl# | University | NIRF Rank (Management Category) | Total Fee |
| 1 | XLRI (PGDM) | 17 | INR 14,00,000 |
| 2 | S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (PGDM) |
20 | INR 10,00,000 |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade | 27 | INR 7,50,000 |
| 4 | Amity University | 28 | INR 1,79,000 |
| 5 | Great Lakes Institute of Management (PGDM) |
32 | INR 3,50,000 |
| 6 | Chandigarh University | 36 | INR 2,00,000 |
| 7 | Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad (PGDM) | 38 | INR 1,25,000 |
| 8 | UPES | 39 | INR 1,50,000 – 1,99,000 (Depending Upon Specialisation) |
| 9 | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education | 40 | INR 2,00,000 |
| 10 | Manipal University | 79 | INR 1,75,000 |
XLRI has built a rich legacy in the realm of management education and rightly so. This top-of-the-class institute offers an AICTE-approved Online PGDM programme that presents an opulent blend of academic expertise and opportunities to work on real-time industry projects. The direct-to-device mode enables students to pursue studies from anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the University also offers scholarships and fee waivers to make education affordable for a larger segment of people.
Specialisations Offered:
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online PGDM |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 14,00,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | Available |
| Loan Assistance | Available |
| Eligibility | Graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university + Must be a full-time working professional |
One of the best B-Schools in the country, the S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research has partnered with Coursera to offer an innovative, AICTE-approved Online PGDM programme. Delivered by the distinguished faculty members of SPJIMR, the programme ensures a rewarding learning journey for students.
Specialisations Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online PGDM |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 10,00,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | Available (CV Preparation, Personal Branding, Profile-Building Workshops, Role-Clarity Sessions by Recruitment Experts) |
| Loan Assistance | Pay-as-You-Learn Option |
| Eligibility | Graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university |
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade was established by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in 1963 to facilitate skill development in the domain of foreign trade. Today, the institute has flourished into a world-class business school offering opportunities for online learning as well. This helps working professionals augment their business knowledge without having to sacrifice their jobs.
Specialisations Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online MBA in International Business |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 7,50,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | Available (Field Visits) |
| Loan Assistance | – |
| Eligibility | Graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university |
In 2009, Amity became the first university in India to receive UGC recognition for various online courses. The University has grown into one of the best online education providers in the country. It offers an Online MBA programme which is designed to bridge the skills gap faced by employers. During the course, students get various skill development and personality enhancement opportunities.
Specialisations Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online MBA |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 1,79,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | Available (Portfolio Building, Virtual Job Fairs) |
| Loan Assistance | Available |
| Eligibility | Graduation degree with a minimum of 40% marks from a recognised university For candidates having below 40% marks, an entrance test is conducted by the university |
The Great Lakes Institute of Management offers an AICTE recognised Online PGDM programme. The course is designed keeping in mind the skill development needs of 21st-century professionals. It helps them augment their business acumen while also building a strong knowledge base.
Specialisations Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online PGDM |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 3,50,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | – |
| Loan Assistance | Available |
| Eligibility | Graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university |
Located in the vicinity of Chandigarh, Chandigarh University offers a UGC-entitled and AICTE recognised Online MBA programme. The programme’s curriculum is designed in close assistance with industry experts to ensure that it meets the latest industry standards and can help professionals bridge the employability gap.
Specialisations Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online MBA |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 2,00,000 |
| Career Support | Available (Built-in Internship/Job Opportunity with Access to Job Portal) |
| Loan Assistance | Available |
| Eligibility | Graduate in any field from a recognised university |
Established in 1980, the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad is a premier management institute in India. It aims to groom young professionals into next-generation leaders. It offers a unique and innovative PGDM programme with an advanced curriculum and state-of-the-art infrastructure to foster creativity into the young minds.
Specialisations Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online PGDM |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 1,25,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | – |
| Loan Assistance | – |
| Eligibility | Graduate in any field from a recognised university or its equivalent degree recognised by AIU |
Established in 2003, UPES is ranked among the best universities in India, with graduate and postgraduate programmes through eight schools. It is among the first institutions in Asia to offer domain-focused Online MBA programmes in IT, Project Management, Logistics and HSE, Energy and others. The Centre for Continuing Education (UPES ON) at UPES has further broadened the extent of education by offering specialised courses to working professionals and young graduates.
Specialisations Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online MBA |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 1,50,000 – INR 1,99,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | Available (Lifetime Placement Assistance) |
| Loan Assistance | Available |
| Eligibility | A candidate must be a graduate from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks. 5% relaxation is given to those who have 2 years of work experience. |
One of the most well-known names in the realm of management education is the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education. Its online arm offers an exclusive MBA programme designed for working professionals. The programme offers an updated and industry-relevant curriculum to cater to the diverse needs of 21st-century learners.
Elective Options
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online MBA |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 2,00,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | Available (Career Counselling, Industry Interface, Personal Mentorship) |
| Loan Assistance | Not Available |
| Eligibility | A candidate must be a graduate from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks |
The Manipal Academy of Higher Education was established in 1953. Today, the group has prospered into one of the premium education institutions in India, imparting quality higher education in the country. In order to provide educational opportunities to a larger segment of individuals, Online Manipal was established under the aegis of Manipal University Jaipur. Online Manipal offers an advanced MBA programme for professionals looking to advance in their careers.
Electives Offered
What to Expect?
Who Should Go for This College?
| Programme Offered | Online MBA |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Fee | INR 1,75,000 for Complete Course |
| Career Support | Available (Resume Writing, Interview Preparation, Application Assistance, etc.) |
| Loan Assistance | Available |
| Eligibility | Graduation in any field with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate from a recognised university or any equivalent qualification as recognised by AIU + Must have qualified Manipal University Jaipur’s online aptitude test or must have scored a minimum of 40 percentile in CAT/MAT/CMAT/XAT/GMAT |
If you are thinking that quality education cannot come at an affordable price, then you couldn’t be further from the truth. Today, there are many Online MBA Colleges in India that offer all the same facilities, advanced curriculum, online classes, and extensive career support services at a very low cost. Here, we have listed top affordable Online MBA Colleges in India:
| College | Fee |
| IGNOU | INR 62,000 for Complete Course |
| Uttaranchal University | INR 82,000 for Complete Course |
| SGVU | INR 58,000 for Complete Course |
| NIBM Global | INR 44,000 for Complete Course |
Before you proceed to apply for your chosen programme, keep in mind the following checkpoints:
As already discussed, the list of top online MBA colleges depends on multiple factors including your interests, ambitions and passions. Therefore, you must first self-evaluate your priorities and goals for choosing an Online MBA. Only then will you be able to find a college that completely fulfils your requirements.
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