Apply for MBA programs by September 13; CAT exam is November 24

Prospective students considering full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs in Chikodi and the broader Belagavi region for the 2026 academic year can find institutions offering diverse specializations, competitive fees, and strong placement records. Belagavi, also known as Belgaum, is identified as North Karnataka’s largest city and a growing centre for management education, according to collegesinfo.org.

The region hosts nine MBA colleges, comprising seven private and two public institutions. These colleges are affiliated with Rani Channamma University, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), and KLE Academy, with all listed institutions being AICTE-approved, as per a CollegesInfo.org article published on 17 April 2026.

Admission Criteria and Entrance Examinations

Admission to MBA programs in Belagavi colleges typically requires candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree with an aggregate of 50% marks or above. Accepted entrance examinations include CAT, KARNATAKA-PGCET, CMAT, MAT, and KMAT. The CAT registration for the 2024 exam cycle opened on 1 August 2024, with a last date of 13 September 2023, and the exam was conducted on 24 November 2024. For the KARNATAKA-PGCET, registration for the 2023 cycle began on 7 August 2023, closing on 1 September 2023, with exams held on 23–24 of an unspecified month.

Non-Karnataka students are eligible to apply for management quota seats and direct admission seats in private Belagavi colleges. For institutions like KLS IMER and other KLE colleges, applicants with PGCET or KMAT scores can apply directly for their separate Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. PGCET MBA cutoffs are subject to annual fluctuations based on the total number of applicants and college intake capacities.

Fees, Specializations, and Placement Outcomes

The average annual fees for MBA colleges in Belgaum range from INR 50,000 to INR 1,17,000. These fees are subject to annual revision by VTU/RCU and the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) Karnataka. Specializations offered include Finance, Management, Human Resource Management (HRM), Marketing, Operations, and Human Resources. The graduation outcome for MBA colleges in Belgaum indicates a 92% placement rate.

Graduates from Belagavi MBA programs secure an average package ranging from INR 4,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 per annum. Average starting salaries for these graduates typically range from ₹3–5 lakhs per year, particularly in placements within North Karnataka and Maharashtra. This contrasts with Bangalore, where annual fees can range from ₹1.5–14 lakhs and living costs are higher, at ₹15,000–25,000 per month compared to Belagavi’s ₹8,000–12,000 per month.

Prominent Institutions in Chikodi and Belagavi

Audyogik Shikshan Mandals Institute Of Business Management & Research and KLE College of Engineering and Technology – [KLECET] are among the MBA colleges located in Chikodi. In the broader Belagavi area, KLS Institute of Management Education and Research (IMER) is widely regarded as the strongest MBA program, according to collegesinfo.org. KLS IMER, established in 1994, operates under the KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (a deemed university) and holds an ‘A’ grade NAAC accreditation. It offers a Healthcare Management specialization, using KLE University’s hospital network. KLS IMER typically reports the highest median CTC among Belagavi MBA programs.

Other notable institutions include KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Bharatesh Education Trust’s Global Business School, Angadi Institute of Technology and Management, KLEs College of Engineering and Technology, Annapoorna Institute of Management Research, SDM College of Engineering and Technology – [SDMCET], Dharwad, Jain College of Engineering, KLE Society’s College of Business Administration, BLDEA’s Shri B M Patil Institute of Technology, and S Nijalingappa College. VTU, a state university, offers an MBA degree recognized by the UGC, AICTE, and government employers.

Application and Counselling Process

Prospective students are advised to complete online application forms and submit required documents by deadlines. Participation in regional or state-level entrance tests such as CAT, MAT, CMAT, or Karnataka PGCET is necessary. After results are declared, candidates should register for KEA PGCET counselling and select Belagavi colleges in their preference list. During counselling, original documents including graduation mark sheets, PGCET rank card, category certificate (if applicable), and domicile certificate must be presented. First-year fees are to be paid directly to the institution upon admission confirmation. It is recommended to verify exact 2026–27 fee structures, current AICTE approval status, and current year cutoffs directly with each institution or via official portals like cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and aicte-india.org. Placement data, including audited reports showing numbers placed and median salaries, should also be verified directly with colleges before enrolment.

Further reading

• IIM CAT 2026 Registration Closes Tomorrow, September 15; Admit Cards on November 4 at iimcat.ac.in
• CAT 2024: Apply by Sep 13; IIM Bodh Gaya outlines admission criteria
• CAT exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• MBA Entrance Exams 2026-27: CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP Registration and Dates Announced Today
• SNAP 2026 mock test scheduled for September 24; apply by September 22
• IIM Visakhapatnam Executive MBA 2026-28 admissions open: apply by deadline for Round 1 EMAT on 17 October Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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