Kochi Business School ranks 32nd in India’s top non-IIM B-schools survey 2026

Kochi Business School (KBS) has been ranked 32nd in India’s Top 50 Non-IIM B-Schools Survey 2026, conducted by The Academic Insights. The institution achieved a score of 801.22 out of 1000 in this assessment. This ranking highlights KBS’s academic standing among non-IIM business schools across the country.

Kochi continues to be a significant hub for management education, attracting MBA aspirants due to the presence of various institutions, diverse specializations, and job opportunities in sectors such as IT, shipping, logistics, and finance. Several other colleges in the city also feature in national and regional rankings, offering a range of management and entrepreneurship programs for the 2026 academic cycle.

Top Rankings and Accreditations for Kochi B-Schools

Beyond Kochi Business School’s recent achievement, other institutions in Kochi have also received notable rankings and accreditations. Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies (RCBS) was ranked 16th in both 2025 and 2024 among top MBA colleges in Kochi. RCBS also secured the 41st position in the NIRF 2024 rankings and 31st by India Times in 2024. Rajagiri Business School (RBS) was ranked 93rd by NIRF in 2023.

SCMS Cochin School of Business was ranked 73rd by Business Today in 2024 and 48th by Careers360 in 2025. Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME) Kochi was ranked 101-125 by Business Today under Private B-Schools in 2024 and 89th by IIRF in the same category. Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT) – School of Management Studies (SMS) was ranked 81st by NIRF in 2024 and under the G-79 category in 2025. Many of these institutions are approved by regulatory bodies such as AICTE, UGC, NBA, AIU, and NAAC, ensuring adherence to national educational standards.

Programs, Fees, and Admission Criteria

Colleges in Kochi offer various management programs, primarily focusing on MBA and PGDM. XIME Kochi, established in 2011, is a private college spanning 8 acres, affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University and recognized by AICTE and UGC. It offers PGDM, MBA, PhD (Management), and Executive PGDM programs. The total fee for PGDM at XIME Kochi is INR 11.9 Lakhs. Eligibility for PGDM requires a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate and a valid CAT/XAT/MAT/CMAT/GMAT score, followed by a Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

SCMS Cochin School of Business provides AICTE-approved PGDM programs, with its flagship being a 2-year, full-time PGDM in General Management with dual specialization, offering 120 seats. It also offers a 4-year AICTE-approved FPM program with 20 seats. ALIMS Business School offers BBA, MBA, and B.Com courses. The fee structure for an MBA course in Kochi generally ranges between ₹2.8 Lakhs and ₹13.50 Lakhs. For admission into an MBA college in Kochi, a candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved groups) and accept entrance exams such as CAT, CMAT, KMAT, XAT, GMAT, CUET-PG, EMAT, and MAT.

Placement Performance and Career Prospects

Placement statistics for 2024 indicate strong career prospects for graduates from top Kochi B-schools. XIME Kochi reported a 92% placement rate in 2024, with the highest salary package offered at INR 12.5 LPA and an average salary package of INR 6.8 LPA. Over 80 companies visited the campus, resulting in more than 130 offers and 120 students placed. Rajagiri Business School (RBS) reported approximately 93% placements with a median/average salary of ₹6-8 LPA and a highest package of ₹16.05 LPA.

SCMS Cochin School of Business achieved a placement rate of 90–93%, with median/average salaries ranging from ₹6.9–7.08 LPA and a highest package of ₹13.58 LPA. Kochi Business School (KBS) recorded an 85% placement rate, with an average salary of ₹4.5 LPA and a highest package of ₹12 LPA. The average salary range for MBA graduates from Kochi colleges generally varies between ₹7.08 LPA and ₹27 LPA, reflecting diverse opportunities in the region’s growing economy.

Admission Process and Key Dates for 2026

The admission process for MBA colleges in Kochi for the 2026 academic year involves several steps. Prospective candidates must first check their eligibility, which typically requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved groups). Following this, candidates need to register and appear for accepted MBA entrance exams such as CAT, CMAT, KMAT, CUET-PG, XAT, EMAT, MAT, or GMAT. Some institutions, like Bhavan’s Royal Institute of Management and Bharata Mata Institute of Management (BMIM), also offer direct admission based on merit.

Shortlisted students will then participate in selection rounds, which may include a Personal Interview (PI), Group Discussion (GD), and Written Ability Test (WAT). Finally, selected students will undergo document verification and pay the requisite fees to secure their admission. For XIME Kochi, the PGDM application last date is tentatively December 2025, with CAT Exam Date on November 24, 2025, and GD/PI dates tentatively scheduled for January-February 2026.

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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Further reading

• ITM Business School: Apply for PGDM/MBA admission now, get financial aid
• ITM Business School admission guide released: know programs, financial aid, GATE cutoffs