The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is one of the most widely accepted MBA entrance exams in India.
More than 1,000 MBA colleges and all AICTE-approved institutions, university departments, constituent colleges, and affiliated colleges accept CMAT scores for admission. This gives candidates a wide range of options across different states and specialisations.
However, every college has its own admission standards. The expected CMAT cutoff ranges from 60 percentile to 99+ percentile.
At the same time, MBA programme fees vary from around INR 9.15 lakh to INR 25 lakh+, while average placement packages range from around INR 7 LPA to over INR 14 LPA. Comparing these numbers before applying can help candidates shortlist colleges that match both their CMAT score and budget.
In this article, we compare CMAT score vs colleges, expected cutoff percentiles, fee structure, and placement data to help you identify the right MBA college after the CMAT exam
CMAT Score vs Colleges- Expected Cutoff Percentile
The expected cutoff is one of the first things candidates should check after the CMAT result. Among the colleges listed below, the cutoff ranges from 60 percentile to 99+ percentile.
While institutes like PUMBA, NIBM Pune, K J Somaiya, and BIMTECH generally require a higher percentile, several other colleges offer admission opportunities at comparatively lower scores.
| CMAT Accepting Colleges | CMAT Cutoff (Expected) |
| NIBM, Pune | 98.5%ile+ |
| KJ Somaiya, Mumbai | 94-99%ile |
| BIMTECH, Noida | 95%ile+ |
| PUMBA, Pune | 99%ile+ |
| Welingkar Institute, Mumbai | 85%ile+ |
| IPE, Hyderabad | 82%ile+ |
| NL Dalmia, Mumbai | 85%ile+ |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi | 60%ile |
| IMT, Nagpur | 90%ile+ |
| XIME Bangalore | 75%ile+ |
Note: The above cutoff data is only for reference. Candidates should check the respective institute’s official website for the latest cutoff details.
CMAT Colleges Fees Comparison
MBA fees differ from one institute to another. The programme fee among these CMAT colleges ranges from approximately INR 9.15 lakh to INR 25 lakh+.
PUMBA has the highest fee among the listed institutes at INR 25 lakh+, while IPE Hyderabad offers one of the lower fee options at INR 9.15 lakh+.
Before choosing a college, candidates should compare the fee with the institute’s reputation, specialisation, and placement opportunities.
| CMAT Accepting Colleges | Program Fees (Approx) |
| NIBM, Pune | INR 16 Lakh+ |
| KJ Somaiya, Mumbai | INR 23 Lakh+ |
| BIMTECH, Noida | INR 14 Lakh+ |
| PUMBA, Pune | INR 25 Lakh+ |
| Welingkar Institute, Mumbai | INR 15 Lakh+ |
| IPE, Hyderabad | INR 9.15 Lakh+ |
| NL Dalmia, Mumbai | INR 16 Lakh+ |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi | INR 12 Lakh+ |
| IMT, Nagpur | INR 16 Lakh+ |
| XIME Bangalore | INR 12.90 Lakh |
Note: The above fee data is shared only for reference. Candidates should verify the latest fee structure from the respective institute’s official website.
CMAT Colleges Placement Comparison
Placement records help candidates understand the career opportunities available after completing an MBA.
The reported placement figures range from around INR 7.02 LPA to INR 14.23 LPA, while IMT Nagpur reports INR 18.8 LPA for its top 10% students.
Colleges such as NIBM Pune, NL Dalmia, BIMTECH, and Welingkar Institute also report strong placement outcomes, making them popular choices among CMAT aspirants.
| CMAT Accepting Colleges | Average Placement (Approx) |
| NIBM, Pune | INR 14.23 LPA |
| KJ Somaiya, Mumbai | INR 12 LPA |
| BIMTECH, Noida | INR 12.70 LPA |
| PUMBA, Pune | INR 9.40 LPA |
| Welingkar Institute, Mumbai | INR 11.7 LPA |
| IPE, Hyderabad | INR 7.02 LPA |
| NL Dalmia, Mumbai | INR 14 LPA |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi | INR 9.36 LPA |
| IMT, Nagpur | INR 18.8 LPA (Top 10%) |
| XIME Bangalore | INR 9.6 LPA |
Note: The above placement figures are approximate and meant for reference. Candidates should visit the official website of the respective institute for the latest placement reports.
CMAT Score Vs Colleges – Which CMAT College Can You Target?
Your target college depends on your CMAT percentile. Check the complete details in the table below:
| Expected Percentile | Colleges You Can Target |
| 99%ile+ | PUMBA, Pune |
| 98.5%ile+ | NIBM, Pune |
| 95%ile+ | BIMTECH, Noida |
| 94-99%ile | K J Somaiya, Mumbai |
| 90%ile+ | IMT, Nagpur |
| 85%ile+ | Welingkar Institute, Mumbai, NL Dalmia, Mumbai |
| 75%ile+ | XIME Bangalore |
Conclusion
With acceptance across more than 1,000 AICTE-approved MBA colleges, CMAT offers candidates a wide range of admission opportunities. The expected cutoff among the institutes listed above ranges from 60 percentile to 99+ percentile, allowing students with different score levels to find suitable MBA options.
While selecting a college, don’t base your decision only on the cutoff. Compare the programme fee, placement outcomes, and overall value offered by the institute. A balanced comparison will help you choose a college that fits both your career goals and your budget.
If you are preparing for the upcoming CMAT exam, MBA KARO CMAT Online Coaching can help you strengthen your preparation with expert guidance, structured study plans, topic-wise practice, and regular mock tests to improve your overall score.
