I think I am the right person to answer this question as I have worked with graduates from the aforementioned top B Schools in India and my brother was a student at ISB. With the combined experience and knowledge I have, I dare to comment that ISB is an overhyped B school in India. What makes it stand is its amazing infrastructure, founding members, and the whole Western-style education. However, if you look at its academic style, I don’t find it very appealing. It fails to prepare students well and does not meet the standards of the 4 IIMs (ABCL) and XLRI.
Placements-wise one can comment that ISB is a notch better than XLRI and FMS but it is on the same level as IIM Lucknow.
Ultimately, the brand value of a business school is a matter of personal opinion and is subjective.
The brand value of ISB and XLRI, FMS, IIM L can’t be compared. ISB is known for its executive PGP while XLRI, FMS, and IIM L are reputed for their two-year-long MBA progran. These are some of the top-rated B-Schools in the country and have long-standing legacies.
ISB has a huge batch size of around 800. Due to the huge batch size students face problems getting decent opportunities through campus placements. The ROI isn’t that good. The total course fee for PGPM is around INR 36.3 lakhs. While the average CTC is around 34.07 LPA, according to the recent highlights of ISB placements.
It’s difficult to define the brand value of any institute. Since it differs depending on the audience.
Corporate leadership inside India:
Although ISB isn’t that old, it has a strong industry interface. In terms of alumni in leadership positions in different sectors, ISB definitely trumps the institutes mentioned in the question.
Corporate Abroad:
The number of ISB alumni working overseas is fewer in number compared to IIM A,B,C, and other top-rated B-schools.
Recognition:
ISB isn’t recognized much among people since it was established recently.
Exchange Programs:
ISB has exchange programs with reputed institutes including Haas, LBS, Kellogg, etc.
The answer may vary from person to person as well as the situation to situation. But one of my friends once told me that the ISB alum is no doubt better than the other institutes mentioned in this question.
However, it completely depends on the parameters that are selected by the student, including the ratings, preference allocation. If all these are compared with the other B-schools, then it will be seen that ISB is the best among all.
Peers
Faculty
Infrastructure
Placement
Criteria |
XLRI |
FMS |
IIML |
ISB |
Highest CTC |
50 LPA |
55 LPA |
51 LPA |
45 LPA |
Lowest CTC |
20 LPA |
15 LPA |
10 LPA |
28-30 LPA |
Average CTC |
24.30 LPA |
17-19 LPA |
26 LPA |
28.29 LPA |
ROI
Thus, all of these mentioned institutes are the best, and anyone who has completed his or her studies from XLRI/FMS/IIM L is so talented to get a job in the market.