MBA 2026: Apply by Sep 13 for Kerala & Thrissur colleges

Management aspirants across South India are currently evaluating MBA admissions, courses, fees, and rankings for the 2026 academic year in Kerala. The state maintains a reputation in management education, featuring an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) alongside a blend of private and government B-schools.

The selection process for the best MBA college in 2026 involves aligning career objectives with metrics such as return on investment, placement outcomes, and specialisation availability within a competitive environment. This guide provides full information to assist students in making informed decisions.

Top MBA Colleges in Kerala and Their Offerings

For the 2026 academic year, a guide to Top 10 MBA Colleges in Kerala considers factors such as NIRF rankings, placement results, faculty strength, and student feedback. Sri Venkateswara College of Computer Applications and Management (SVCCAM), Coimbatore, which is AICTE-approved and affiliated with Anna University, Chennai, holds the top position in this list. SVCCAM exclusively offers postgraduate programmes, including an MBA with a total fee of Rs. 2.60 Lakhs for two years, and an MCA for Rs. 1.80 Lakhs. Optional hostel fees at SVCCAM are Rs. 1.05 Lakhs per year.

IIM Kozhikode, ranked among the top 5 IIMs in India by NIRF 2025, offers a 2-year full-time MBA programme with fees ranging from Rs. 18 to 24 Lakhs. Its Executive MBA (EPGP) programme costs Rs. 15.95 Lakhs. NIT Calicut provides an MBA programme focused on Business Analytics and Systems Management, with approximate fees of Rs. 2 to 3 Lakhs for the 2-year full-time course. Other notable institutions include Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies (RCBS), Kochi, ranked 83rd by NIRF, with MBA fees of Rs. 6 to 7 Lakhs, and SCMS Cochin School of Business, Kochi, featured in the Times Top 100 B-Schools list, with MBA fees of Rs. 7 to 8 Lakhs.

MBA Colleges in Thrissur: Fees and Placements

Thrissur district is home to 10 MBA colleges, comprising 9 privately owned institutions and 1 government/public college. MBA programmes in Thrissur generally have fees within INR 3,00,000. Placement packages from these colleges range from INR 2,00,000 to INR 13,50,000. For instance, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT): School of Management Studies, Kochi, offers an MBA with a total fee of Rs. 1.12 Lakhs and an average placement package of Rs. 8.49 LPA.

Specific colleges in Thrissur include Aryabhatta College of Advanced Studies, offering merit-based MBA admission with a course fee of INR 1,20,000, and Nirmala College of Management Studies, also offering merit-based admission for an MBA with a course fee of INR 2,00,000. Other institutions like Kerala Agriculture University and Nehru College of Engineering and Research Centre also offer MBA programmes, with varying seat capacities such as 40 and 60 respectively.

Eligibility and Entrance Examinations for MBA in Kerala

General eligibility criteria for MBA admissions in Kerala require candidates to possess a 3-year Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. A relaxation to 45% aggregate marks is applicable for reserved categories in select colleges. Accepted entrance examinations for MBA programmes in Kerala include KMAT Kerala, CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, TANCET, and GMAT.

For the 2026 academic year, key entrance exam dates from 2024 provide a reference for aspirants. CAT registration commenced on 1 August 2024, with the last date for application being 13 September 2024, and the exam scheduled for 24 November 2024. CMAT registration began in February 2024, concluding in the second week of March 2024, with the examination held in April-May 2024. Aspirants must obtain a valid scorecard in these national or state-level entrance examinations to proceed with applications.

Admission Process and Next Steps

The admission process for MBA programmes in Kerala typically involves several stages. After fulfilling the eligibility criteria and obtaining a valid scorecard from an accepted entrance examination, students must complete application forms available on the official websites of their preferred colleges. Shortlisted candidates are next invited to participate in group discussion rounds and personal interviews.

Upon selection, candidates are required to undergo document verification and submit the necessary fees to finalise their admission. This structured approach ensures that institutions evaluate candidates based on academic merit, entrance exam performance, and personal aptitude for management studies.

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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