IIM vs ISB: Which is the Better Choice for an MBA in India?

IIM stands for Indian Institute of Management while ISB stands for Indian School of Business. ISB or IIM is a dilemma that usually occurs in the minds of candidates who like to do MBA programs. While thinking about ISB vs IIM, the students are worried about the placement opportunities and skills they can get from these institutes. In this competitive world, it’s not easy to get admission to ISB or IIM institutes. IIM vs ISB colleges have state-of-the-art infrastructure, quality education, excellent placement records, and a learning environment leading to the development of managerial skills. ISB or IIM is a choice for MBA applicants who focus on career goals, course preferences, location, and other factors.

ISB vs IIM: Highlights

The main difference between ISB vs IIM can be seen in the table mentioned below.

ISB	IIM
Private and autonomous	Government-funded and autonomous
Campuses are located in Hyderabad and Mohali	21 Institutes all over India
Accept GMAT / GRE score	Accept CAT score
Courses are offered for working professionals.	Courses are offered for freshers and working professionals.
Average ISB fees is around Rs. 30 lakhs to Rs. 40 lakhs	Average fees is around Rs. 24 lakhs to Rs. 27 lakhs
Focus mainly on practicals and research	Focus mainly on theory and research

ISB Pros vs Cons

Pros	Cons
Students get hands-on experience in solving real-world business challenges, as the ISB curriculum is mainly focused on practical rather than theoretical.	Admission is offered to candidates with work experience only.
The topics are taken by foreign and experienced industrial experts.	Given the condensed duration of the course, candidates are required to complete the program within a limited timeframe. This could potentially restrict the breadth of learning opportunities.
The primary emphasis of ISB is to cultivate a mindset in students that encourages the nurturing of their business concepts, thereby providing opportunities to become entrepreneurs.	The ISB course fee is higher compared to the IIM programmes.

IIM Pros vs Cons

Pros	Cons
The programme provides students with opportunities to enhance their management skills, which can be applied in real-world business situations.	The IIM admission process is highly competitive compared to ISB. The total number of seats available at IIM is about 5000.
Students who score high in the CAT exam will get scholarships.	The IIM curriculum does not offer a real-world business experience
IIM graduates get hired in various top organizations with good salary packages.	IIM mostly focus on theory rather than practical knowledge.

ISB vs IIM Courses and Fee Structure 2024

Particulars	ISB Courses	IIM Courses
Courses	PGP in Management PGP in Management for Working Professionals PGP in Management for Senior Executives PGP in Management for Family Business Advanced Management Programme	MBA PGD PGP FPM IIM Executive programmes
Duration	1 to 2 years	1 to 2 years
Accepted entrance exam	GMAT / GRE score	CAT, GMAT, GRE
Fee structure	Rs. 30 Lakhs to Rs. 43 lakhs	Rs. 20 Lakhs to Rs. 35 lakhs

ISB vs IIM MBA or PGP Eligibility Criteria

The IIMs also consider work experience as a selection criterion for some of the courses. The details regarding the eligibility criteria for ISB vs IIM admission are listed below.

Particulars	ISB	IIM
ISB vs IIM Eligibility Criteria	Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in a relevant field from an approved university.	Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in a relevant field from an approved university.
Age Limit	No age limit	No age restriction
Work Experience	Work experience is mandatory to apply for the ISB PGP / Advanced Management programs	Work experience is also considered as IIM eligibility criteria.

ISB vs IIM: Top Recruiters

ISB vs IIM placement and training cells ensure the final year graduates get hired in top MNCs with the highest salary packages. These institutions keep the best records in placement and offer a chance to work with the below companies to achieve their dreams. The following are the companies where the students get hired.

ISB Recruiters

Accenture	Adani Group	Aditya Birla Group
Apple	Axis Bank	Citi Bank
D.E. Shaw India	Deloitte	Dr Reddy’s Laboratories
Amazon	Cleartrip	Ernst and Young

IIM Recruiters

Accenture	Genpact	Google
Amazon	Amazon	Hinduja Group
Ranbaxy Laboratories	HSBC Group	Ameriprise Financial
HCL Technologies	American Express	Apollo Tyres

Comparison of one year MBA program at IIM (A, B, C) and ISB

ISB PGP	IIMA PGPX	IIMB EPGP	IIMC MBAEx
Type of the program	Full-time residential program	Full-time residential program	Full-time residential program	Full-time residential program
Who is it for?	Professionals with minimum 2 years of full-time work experience	Professionals with a minimum 4 years of full-time work experience	Professionals with a minimum 5 years of full-time work experience	Professionals with a minimum 5 years of full-time work experience
Global FT MBA Ranking 2021	32	48	35	44
Academic qualification	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Test required	GMAT/GRE	GMAT/GRE	GMAT/GRE	GMAT
Average GMAT score	713	701	690	685
Average CTC	34.07 lakhs	26.26 lakhs	29.88 lakhs	28.75 lakhs
Program fee	33.14 lakhs	30 lakhs	29 lakhs	27 lakhs
Class size	930	140	75	79
Admission process	-Online application submission (along with essay) -Face to face interview -Final result -Offer acceptance	-Online registration -Online application submission -Essay submission -Personal interview -Final result -Offer acceptance	-Online application submission -Personal interview -Final result -Offer acceptance	-Online application submission -Personal interview -Final result -Offer acceptance
Application deadline	Round 1 – September Round 2 – December Round 3 – January	Round 1 – August Round 2 – October Round 3 – December	Round 1 – August Round 2 – October Round 3 – December	Round 1 – August Round 2 – October Round 3 – January

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. I have work experience, but not a lot (around 2 years). Should I target IIM or ISB?

Ans. While both IIMs and ISB consider work experience, ISB programs are specifically designed for working professionals. With 2 years of experience, ISB's PGP program might be a better fit. However, some IIMs offer programs with a lower work experience requirement. Research individual IIM programs to see if any align with your experience level.

Ques. I'm a fresh graduate with no work experience. Can I apply to ISB?

Ans. No, ISB programs require work experience. IIMs are a good option for recent graduates as they offer programs specifically designed for them.

Ques. Cost is a big factor for me. Are IIMs more affordable than ISB?

Ans. Generally, yes. IIM programs tend to have lower tuition fees compared to ISB. However, IIMs are highly competitive, and scholarship opportunities depend on your CAT score.

Ques. I want a program with a strong focus on practical applications and building business acumen. Which is better, IIM or ISB?

Ans. ISB's curriculum places a strong emphasis on practical learning and solving real-world business challenges. While IIMs also provide practical elements, their programs might have a more theoretical foundation.

Ques. Which program offers better placement opportunities?

Ans. Both IIMs and ISB boast excellent placement records. The choice depends on your career goals. IIMs have a wider alumni network across various industries, while ISB might have a stronger presence in specific sectors like consulting.