MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Fees ,Top Colleges, Requirements, Cost, Placements, Salary, Scope

MBA can be pursued in any university, across the globe. It is one of the most sought post graduate courses in India and even abroad. MBA Abroad can be an equally lucrative option as MBA in India. In this article candidates can compare MBA in India vs MBA Abroad on the basis of value, colleges, fees, future prospects etc. 

Master of Business Administration is one of the highly pursued degrees and every year thousands of aspirants apply for it both in India and abroad. MBA graduates find career opportunities in the business field of accounting, marketing and management.

MBA is an internationally recognized postgraduate program with a total duration of two years. While applying for an MBA program, thorough research is essential that aligns with your career goals. 

Students should take into account the parameters like infrastructure, cost and fee structure, placements statistics, location, diversity, and education quality before taking the decision to pursue MBA in India or MBA abroad.

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Comparison

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Comparing Eligibility

It is essential to at least have an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in order to take admission into an MBA program. However, the minimum percentage, entrance exam and work experience required can vary from college to college. Each MBA program has its own set of parameters that they look into. You need at least an undergraduate degree to be eligible for an MBA. Some business schools also put a condition of minimum grade/ percentage in the undergraduate degree and the number of years of work experience.

MBA in India Eligibility

The educational requirement for MBA program in Indian Colleges generally includes:

• The candidate who has successfully completed a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent from a Board recognized by UGC or MHRD. 
• However, more prestigious Indian colleges like IITs and IIMs demand a higher percentage of graduation to be eligible for admission. A candidate generally requires at least 60% marks in a bachelor’s degree to apply to these institutes. See: IIM in India
• Candidates who belong to the SC, ST or PwD category require at least 45% marks in their graduation. Students who belong to these reserved categories generally get 5% relaxation. 
• Final Year students are also eligible to apply for MBA course
• The candidate can be a graduate from any stream.

See Also: MBA Admission 

The colleges abroad have their own set of criteria for educational eligibility which may vary from place to place. Generally, the candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree with minimum 60% marks in a business or related subject from a valid and recognized university.

MBA in Abroad Eligibility

Different countries have different MBA Eligibility for International students. International students must take this complex road carefully. Therefore, to ease out the complexities, below are the common MBA Abroad eligibility criteria to follow:

• Academic Requirements: The students must possess a bachelor's degree in business or any related field of study from any recognized university for any candidate willing to pursue MBA from a foreign country 
• Work experience: 3 to 5 years. 
• Language Proficiency: MBA Admission Abroad takes place after the student has passed language proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS. 

MBA Abroad VISA Requirement

It is apparent that the admission process in an Indian B- School is less complex and easier to accomplish once the candidate has cleared all the eligibility requirements including the entrance test and work experience. However, in the case of an international program even if the candidates are able to secure admission to their dream college abroad, they may still face issues internationally such as 

• Denial of Visa
• Not being able to get a Visa that permits the student to work in the country after graduation.

Explore Deadlines for Top US universities! 

The widespread Covid 19 impacted MBA admission in its own way. It has brought forth its own challenges for students that aspire to study abroad, such as:

• Formation of stricter rules and regulations by various countries for acquiring a Visa which aims to reduce the influx of outsiders.
• International lockdown on travel.
• The increasing rate of unemployment reduces the chances of a student getting a stable job abroad

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Comparing Entrance Exams 

MBA in India: Entrance Exams

Candidates who have the required marks in their graduation become eligible to apply for the entrance exam conducted by universities for admissions in India and abroad.

• Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most widely held MBA entrance exams in India. 
• Most reputed Indian colleges accept CAT scores. Other MBA entrance exams that are also valid include MAT, XAT, SNAP, CMAT, IIFT and NMAT etc
• After the written exam the candidates have to go through a Group Discussion round and a Personal Interview.

MBA in Abroad: Entrance Exams

On the other hand, GMAT scores are generally demanded by universities abroad for enrollment in MBA.

• Candidates who are interested in applying for international MBA programs must get higher scores in the GMAT entrance exam. 
• Several business colleges have also begun accepting GRE scores. However, GMAT is still widely accepted around the world
• If the candidate aspires to enter the top prestigious business colleges abroad then having only a good GRE or GMAT score is not enough.
• Countries like the USA and UK with well-established Ivy colleges require a good academic record, future aspirations and extracurricular involvement along with higher GMAT or GRE scores. 
• Additionally, It is important that the candidate has a good GPA, a Letter of Recommendation and has cleared an English Proficiency Test such as TOEFL or IELTS with sufficient scores. The aspirant should also be able to produce high quality stellar essays that are to be submitted while applying.
• The applicants who are shortlisted have to appear for an interview round.

Work Experience Comparison for MBA in India and MBA Abroad

MBA India and MBA Abroad both require significant work experience in top MBA Colleges. However, there are some colleges that don't require work experience in both MBA India and MBA Abroad. See Also: MBA with or without work experience

MBA in India: Work Experience

Work experience is another important aspect of eligibility for colleges in India and around the world.

• In comparison to universities abroad, it is more prevalent in some Indian colleges to accept students with no work experience. 
• However, there are several B- schools that require the applicant to have a work experience of 3 to 5 years. 
• Colleges like XLRI Jamshedpur and SP Jain Mumbai, require a work experience of 5 years to accept the applicant.

However, Work experience is highly essential in B-schools abroad to supplement the applicant's portfolio for admission.

MBA in Abroad: Work Experience

• Good universities in the US and Canada require the candidates to have work experience of around 2- 4 years. 
• While in Australia, the applicant should have a minimum of 2 years of work experience.
• European countries like the UK, require an average work experience of 4 to 6 years.
• Candidate with work experience has more edge to their profile as they can have high-quality recommendations from their seniors or boss, which can give leverage to the applicant in the decision-making process at the time of admission. 

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Placements

MBA Abroad placements are higher when compared between MBA India and MBA Abroad. MBA Placements can reach a crore when it comes to MBA Abroad. This is mainly because abroad currencies are higher. 

MBA in India Placements

Top B- Schools in India mostly have an established placement cell and they generally hold placement drives for the students often.

• Various well-known MNCs visit the college campus and conduct interviews to recruit students. 
• Students with a good academic record during the college year get recognized and get multiple offers.
• Such placement opportunities provided at Indian colleges make it easier for students to network and be aware of options available for future prospects.

Also, check MBA Placement Preparation

MBA in India: Top Recruiters

Compared to the placement system in India, getting a job placement abroad is different and challenging.

• Usually, the students are responsible to reach out to their desired companies. 
• Getting into a good college in itself does not guarantee a good-paying job abroad.
• The students have to work hard to create their own networks and supplement their resumes with outstanding grades, experience and extracurricular activities.

MBA in India: Salary

Top B- Schools in India such as IIMs and ISB offer a higher annual salary package. Graduates from IIM-A can get an average salary of INR 25 Lakh while students of ISB can expect an average salary of INR 22 Lakh 

The average salary offered to students abroad depends from country to country. Graduates from prestigious universities abroad like Harvard can achieve an average salary of around INR 78 Lakh. 

MBA Abroad: Placements

MBA Abroad: Top Recruiters

MBA Abroad: Salary

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Advantages

MBA India and MBA Abroad both have their own advantages. Both have different advantages and different disadvantages. Students must compare all advantages of MBA in India and MBA Abroad. 

MBA in India: Advantages

Pursuing an MBA program has its own effects on the student and the quality of education:

• Studying in India accommodates the student to the Indian business environment and molds the critical thinking skills as per the present economic scenario in the country. However, this also leads to limitations of perspective.
• Networking with an already-established Indian counterpart is comparatively easier as compared to abroad.

MBA Abroad: Advantages

The exposure and business concepts taught abroad have their own perks that add to the student's overall personality as:

• It enables students to gain a new understanding and exposure to diverse cultures and lifestyles. 
• It opens a wide array of opportunities for the students to discover perspective and a more holistic way of looking at a problem.
• It brings forth the chance to expand one’s social network globally by interacting with people of different nationalities. 
• It also presents the chance to learn and gain insights into the way things work in various countries around the world.
• It helps to broaden the thought horizons and the person is presented with the perfect opportunity to learn to be independent in a foreign land. 
• It is helpful to gain insights into the way things work in various countries around the world and pushes students out of their comfort zone.
• Students get knowledge and experience to handle global issues by gaining insight into the domestic area but also the international business world.

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Fees and Cost of Study

• Pursuing an MBA degree in India is inexpensive and much more affordable compared to studying abroad. 
• The cost incurred for doing an MBA degree highly depends on the college or university, to which the applicant wishes to apply.
• It is to be noted that studying abroad also includes traveling and living expenses along with college tuition fees, which are glaringly higher as compared to economic accommodation in India.
• Thus, the jarring difference in total expenses incurred to study abroad makes India a much more feasible option. 
• Students who are looking for a cost-effective option to study MBA abroad can count on a country like Germany as a good option to evade exorbitant tuition fees. Several public universities in Germany don’t charge any tuition fees. See: Study in Germany

Before applying, candidates can also look for a suitable MBA scholarship offered by various colleges abroad such as :

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Education Quality

• Prestigious MBA colleges in India such as IIMs and IITs, generally offer good-quality of education.
• Securing admission to any of these colleges takes a lot of effort and the candidate has to face tough competition.
• The theoretical aspect of education is fundamentally the focus of Indian Institutes. Hence attaining sufficient knowledge is considered essential to navigate in the business field. 
• MBA courses abroad generally focus more on the practical aspect of education. The main goal is to inculcate the professional skills required by the student. 
• Applicants should also take into account the abundance of opportunities that are presented at a global level of education as well as the infrastructure and facilities provided at universities of developed countries.
• Such an inducing environment of top colleges abroad facilitates learning with an excellent quality of education.

Deferred MBA

In the case of the applicant who does not have any work experience or is present in the final year of their graduation then they can opt for Deferred MBA programs. 

• It is an early-career MBA program where it is not mandatory to have work experience. 
• The Deferred MBA program presents the opportunity for students to secure a seat in a future class of the flagship MBA program before they can accumulate the work experience required. See: MBA Distance Education
• One of the major differences between pre admission takes place just after the college is completed, however, the classes commence only after the student has gained work experience.
• Deferred programs guarantee admission to reputed colleges while building up work experience. See: MBA vs CA
• Prestigious colleges like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia Business School etc offer deferred MBA programs abroad. While only a few B-Schools offer deferred MBA programs in India.

Also, check MBA Through GMAT details 

Top Deferred MBA Program Colleges

MBA Course Structure & Future Prospect

There are various types of programs available for an MBA such as:

• Usually Indian colleges lay emphasis on theoretical knowledge and the courses are theory centered. 
• Gaining work experience becomes a priority only when graduation approaches. However, many Indian institutes are introducing new concepts to enhance the MBA curriculum.
• The MBA course structure varies from place to place. Each college or university follows its own unique education pattern all over the world.
• Typically the course structure at MBA Colleges abroad is generally designed to be highly interactive with an emphasis on holistic global perspectives.
• Encouraging the students to get on-field experience is the central idea of the courses abroad. As a result, various projects and internships are a major part of MBA programs.
• Students learn the application of their theoretical knowledge in actual jobs and business

MBA students are also given choices to major in a specific specialization, Some of the most popular MBA specializations are as follows:

Top MBA Colleges

Here are some of the top MBA Colleges in India, categorized on the basis of Public and Private Colleges. 

MBA Top Government Colleges in India 

MBA Top Private Colleges in India

MBA Top Abroad Colleges 

There are various colleges abroad that offer quality education for MBA courses. However, every country has its own asset that facilitates the need of students. 

• Australia has a strong economy and also has favorable visa conditions. Thus, pursuing an MBA in Australia is becoming a much more feasible option for students.
• The admission process in the UK is more relaxed as compared to top business schools in the US. In addition to that, the post-study work visa in the UK has been extended recently to 2 years.
• Financial Times business school rankings stated that the US is home to 51 out of the 100 top business schools around the world.
• Canadian Bureau for International Education claimed that 
  • 96% of international students chose Canada as the most preferred education destination.
  • 30% of the international students coming to Canada are Indian, which is the highest compared to all other countries.
  • Also, 60% of international students plan to apply for permanent residency.

MBA in Canada, therefore, has raised its bar in terms of popularity.

• Singapore holds home to the five best universities in Asia as per the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. 

MBA: Top Private Business Schools Abroad

MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: FAQs