Online MBA: IGNOU or NMIMS?
IGNOU’s online MBA costs less at Rs 66,000, compared to NMIMS Online (CDOE)’s Rs 220,000 to Rs 400,000. This lower fee does not include the wider range of specialisations that NMIMS Online (CDOE) offers. This page helps students compare these two UGC-approved online MBA programmes.
IGNOU’s online MBA is a 24-month programme with one specialisation: General. NMIMS Online (CDOE) also offers a 24-month online MBA, but with 16 specialisations, including Applied Finance and Business Analytics. Both universities hold an A++ NAAC grade.
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) vs NMIMS University Online (NMIMS CDOE) — compared on published total fee, specialisation count and recorded approvals.
| Measure | IGNOU | NMIMS Online (CDOE) | On this measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest published total fee | Rs 66,000 | Rs 220,000 | IGNOU |
| Specialisations | 1 | 16 | NMIMS Online (CDOE) |
| Duration | 24 months | 24 months | level |
| NAAC grade | A++ | A++ | level |
| Approval bodies on record | 3 | 4 | NMIMS Online (CDOE) |
Decided only by published data. Where a university does not publish a figure the row says so. FindMyCollege does not rank universities.
IGNOU vs NMIMS Online (CDOE) MBA fees: the actual difference
The total fee for an online MBA from IGNOU is Rs 66,000. NMIMS Online (CDOE) publishes a total programme fee ranging from Rs 220,000 to Rs 400,000 for its online MBA.
This means the NMIMS Online (CDOE) MBA costs between Rs 154,000 and Rs 334,000 more than the IGNOU online MBA. IGNOU publishes its total programme fee for the MBA as Rs 66,000. For other programmes, IGNOU publishes a total fee of Rs 5,000 for a BA and Rs 15,000 for a B.Com.
NMIMS Online (CDOE) publishes a total programme fee of Rs 108,000 for its B.Com and between Rs 150,000 and Rs 170,000 for its BBA. The specific fee within the range for the NMIMS Online (CDOE) MBA depends on the specialisation chosen. IGNOU does not publish a fee range for its online MBA programme.
What each MBA fee covers, and what it leaves out
The total programme fee for an online MBA at IGNOU is Rs 66,000. NMIMS Online (CDOE) publishes a total programme fee ranging from Rs 220,000 to Rs 400,000 for its online MBA. The table below provides a detailed comparison of these fees.
Neither university publishes a breakdown of what these fees cover. Students must ask the respective universities for details regarding tuition, examination fees, study materials, and any other administrative charges before making a payment. This ensures clarity on the total cost of the programme.
Information on placement rates, average salaries, highest packages, or the number of recruiters for online MBA programmes is not published by either IGNOU or NMIMS Online (CDOE). Students seeking this data should directly contact the universities.
| Degree | IGNOU total fee | NMIMS Online (CDOE) total fee | IGNOU specialisations | NMIMS Online (CDOE) specialisations | Lower fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Com | Rs 15,000 | Rs 108,000 | 1 | 1 | IGNOU |
| MBA | Rs 66,000 | Rs 220,000 – Rs 400,000 | 1 | 16 | IGNOU |
| B.A | Rs 5,000 | not offered | — | — | — |
| B.Lib | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| BBA | not offered | Rs 150,000 – Rs 170,000 | — | 3 | — |
| BCA | Rs 49,800 | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| BFTTM | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| BSW | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| BTS | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| M.Com | Rs 20,400 | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| MA | Rs 16,400 – Rs 21,000 | not offered | 9 | — | — |
| MCA | Rs 52,000 | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| MSW | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
Total programme fee for Indian students as published by each university. Semester, annual and EMI amounts are not shown. Verify the current fee with the university before you pay. Figures for IGNOU are quoted from the university’s own published page, listed under “Where these figures come from” below.
Approvals: is each MBA accepted for jobs and higher study?
Both IGNOU and NMIMS Online (CDOE) hold the necessary approvals for their online MBA programmes to be accepted for jobs and higher study in India. Each university is approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
IGNOU publishes that it holds AICTE and UGC approvals, alongside a NAAC A++ grade. This A++ grade is the highest possible accreditation from NAAC.
NMIMS Online (CDOE) has an AICTE Extension of Approval until 2025 and a UGC-DEB approval for online programmes until 2026. The university also holds a NAAC A++ grade, recorded in 2025, with a score of 3.67. This indicates a high standard of quality for its programmes. The table below details the specific approvals and their recorded years for both institutions.
| Body | IGNOU | NMIMS Online (CDOE) |
|---|---|---|
| UGC | Approved | Category-I (Graded Autonomy) |
| UGC-DEB | not listed | Approved for online programmes |
| NAAC | A++ | A++ |
| AICTE | Approved | Extension of Approval |
Recorded approvals. A body that is not listed for a university means no record here, not a refusal — check the current UGC-DEB list before you apply.
Specialisations: where the two MBA programmes diverge
NMIMS Online (CDOE) offers 16 MBA specialisations, while IGNOU publishes one MBA specialisation. This difference means students seeking a focused career path may find NMIMS Online (CDOE) more suitable.
IGNOU’s MBA programme offers a General specialisation. This broad approach covers various management principles without a specific industry focus.
In contrast, NMIMS Online (CDOE) provides a wider array of choices. Students can choose from areas such as Applied Finance, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Human Resource Management. The list below details all 16 specialisations available through NMIMS Online (CDOE), including Information Technology Management and Operations & Supply Chain Management.
| Specialisations | Count | Named |
|---|---|---|
| Offered by both | 0 | — |
| Only IGNOU | 1 | General |
| Only NMIMS Online (CDOE) | 14 | Applied Finance; Business Analytics; Business Management; Digital Marketing; Financial Management; Human Resource Management; Information Technology Management; Leadership & Strategy; Leadership and Strategy; Marketing; Marketing Management; Operations & Supply Chain |
MBA specialisations as published by each university.
Duration, credits and how the exams run
24 months is the published duration for an online MBA from both IGNOU and NMIMS Online (CDOE). This means students typically complete the programme in two years. The table below provides a full list of durations for other programmes offered by these universities.
These credit requirements reflect the academic workload and course structure for each university’s programme.
IGNOU conducts examinations twice a year, in June and December. Students can choose to appear for exams in either Hindi or English. NMIMS Online (CDOE) offers proctored online exams, with students able to schedule their exams at their convenience within specified windows. The university states that these exams are conducted remotely.
| Degree | IGNOU duration | NMIMS Online (CDOE) duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.A | 36 months | not offered |
| B.Com | 36 months | 36 months |
| B.Lib | 12 months | not offered |
| BBA | not offered | 36 months |
| BCA | 36 months | not offered |
| BFTTM | 36 months | not offered |
| BSW | 36 months | not offered |
| BTS | 36 months | not offered |
| M.Com | 24 months | not offered |
| MA | 24 months | not offered |
| MBA | 24 months | 24 months |
| MCA | 24 months | not offered |
| MSW | 24 months | not offered |
Minimum published duration. Both universities run online programmes under the UGC (ODL and Online) Regulations 2020.
Eligibility: who each university admits
IGNOU admits graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree of at least three years duration. NMIMS Online (CDOE) requires a Bachelor’s Degree (10+2+3) with a minimum of 50% in graduation. The eligibility criteria for both universities differ, as shown in the table below.
For IGNOU, candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree of at least three years duration. There is no specific minimum percentage published for this requirement. This means a wider range of graduates may be eligible for the IGNOU online MBA programme.
NMIMS Online (CDOE) has a stricter requirement. Applicants need a Bachelor’s Degree (10+2+3) with a minimum of 50% marks in their graduation. In addition, candidates with a graduation percentage of 55% are also eligible. These criteria ensure that applicants meet a specific academic standard before admission.
| IGNOU eligibility | NMIMS Online (CDOE) eligibility |
|---|---|
| — | Bachelor's Degree (10+2+3) with 50% |
| — | GRADUATION with 55% |
Entry rules as published. Verify with the university before you apply.
Which MBA suits a working professional
Choosing between an IGNOU and NMIMS Online (CDOE) distance MBA depends on your budget and specialisation needs.
IGNOU’s MBA programme has a total fee of Rs 66,000. It offers one specialisation: General. This makes it a more affordable option for those seeking a broad management education without specific specialisation requirements.
NMIMS Online (CDOE) offers an MBA programme with a total fee ranging from Rs 220,000 to Rs 400,000. This university provides 16 specialisations, including Applied Finance, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Human Resource Management. NMIMS Online (CDOE) suits working professionals who require a wider range of specialisations and are prepared for a higher investment.
Both universities hold A++ NAAC grades. IGNOU’s MBA eligibility is not published. NMIMS Online (CDOE) requires a Bachelor’s Degree (10+2+3) with 50% or a Graduation with 55%.
What neither university publishes
Neither IGNOU nor NMIMS Online (CDOE) publishes placement rates for their online MBA programmes. No average salary or highest package figures are published by either university. Students cannot find the number of recruiters or the specific companies that hire from these programmes.
If you are weighing an online MBA, prospective students often look for placement data to assess career outcomes. Since this information is not published, students must rely on other factors. They can examine the accreditations of each institution.
IGNOU holds an A++ grade from NAAC and is approved by AICTE and UGC. NMIMS Online (CDOE) also has an A++ NAAC grade, with its AICTE approval extended until 2025 and UGC-DEB approval for online programmes until 2026. The total programme fee for an MBA at IGNOU is Rs 66,000. For NMIMS Online (CDOE), the total MBA programme fee ranges from Rs 220,000 to Rs 400,000. These approvals and fees are concrete facts that students can use for comparison.
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the difference between IGNOU and NMIMS distance MBA? | IGNOU offers one MBA specialisation, General, with a total programme fee of Rs 66,000. NMIMS Online (CDOE) offers 16 MBA specialisations, with total programme fees ranging from Rs 220,000 to Rs 400,000. Both universities hold an A++ NAAC grade. |
| Does NMIMS online MBA have placements? | NMIMS Online (CDOE) does not publish placement rates, average salaries, or the number of recruiters for its online MBA programme. |
| What is the NMIMS online MBA? | The NMIMS online MBA is a 24-month programme offered by NMIMS Online (CDOE). It has 16 specialisations, including Applied Finance and Business Analytics. The total programme fee ranges from Rs 220,000 to Rs 400,000. |
| Ignou vs nmims distance mba? | The comparison above answers this: the tables set out the published total fee, the specialisations each university offers and the approvals each holds. |
Where these figures come from
| University | Published by | Source | Read on |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGNOU | Indira Gandhi National Open University | https://www.ignou.ac.in/schools/programme/<programme> | 2026-09-22 |
Figures for these universities are not held in the FindMyCollege database and are quoted from the university’s own published page on the date shown. Fees change – check the source before you pay.
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