The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the leading MBA entrance exams in India. More than 250 MBA colleges accept XAT scores for admission to their management programmes.
While XLRI Jamshedpur remains the top choice for many aspirants, several other reputed institutes such as XIM University, IMT Ghaziabad, MICA, TAPMI, FORE, IRMA, GIM, and GLIM also accept XAT scores.
However, every college has different admission expectations. The expected XAT cutoff ranges from 60+ percentile to 98 percentile, while the MBA programme fee varies from around INR 6 lakh to INR 27 lakh+.
Average placement packages also differ significantly, ranging from around INR 10 LPA to over INR 33 LPA. Knowing these numbers before applying can help you shortlist colleges that match your XAT score, budget, and career goals.
In this article, we compare XAT score vs colleges, expected cutoffs, fees, and placement data to help you understand which MBA colleges you can target through XAT.
XAT Score Vs Colleges: XAT Cutoff Trends for Top Colleges
A good XAT percentile improves your chances of getting shortlisted for your preferred MBA college.
Since the expected cutoff varies from 60+ percentile to 98 percentile, candidates should set a realistic target based on the institutes they wish to join.
While XLRI generally requires one of the highest percentiles, many other reputed colleges offer admission opportunities at comparatively lower percentiles.
| XAT Colleges | XAT cut-off %ile (Approx) |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | 94-98%ile |
| XIM University, Bhubaneshwar | 91-93%ile |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | 90-92%ile |
| IMT Nagpur | 80%ile+ |
| TAPMI | 80%ile+ |
| GLIM, Chennai | 85%ile+ |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | 85%ile+ |
| IRMA, Anand | 80%ile+ |
| LIBA, Chennai | 75%ile+ |
| FORE, Delhi | 75%ile+ |
| GIM, Panji | 85%ile+ |
| BITS Pilani | 70%ile+ |
| K J Somaiya | 70%ile+ |
| NIBM, Pune | 94%ile+ |
| LBSIM, Delhi | 80%ile+ |
| Christ University, Bangalore | 60%ile+ |
Note: The above cutoff data is for reference only. Candidates should check the respective institute’s official website for the latest information.
XAT Colleges Fees Comparison
MBA fees are an important factor while choosing a B-school. The programme fee among XAT colleges ranges from approximately INR 6 lakh to INR 27 lakh+.
Premium institutes such as XLRI, MICA, XIM University, FORE, and GIM have higher fee structures, while colleges like Christ University and BITS Pilani offer comparatively lower fee options.
Candidates should compare the fee with placement opportunities and their career plans before making a final decision.
| XAT Colleges | Fees (Approx) |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | INR 27 Lakh+ |
| XIM University, Bhubaneshwar | INR 21 Lakh+ |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | INR 19 Lakh+ |
| IMT Nagpur | INR 15 Lakh+ |
| TAPMI | INR 19 Lakh+ |
| GLIM, Chennai | INR 19 Lakh+ |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | INR 22 Lakh+ |
| IRMA, Anand | INR 16 Lakh+ |
| LIBA, Chennai | INR 19 Lakh+ |
| FORE, Delhi | INR 21 Lakh+ |
| GIM, Panji | INR 21 Lakh+ |
| BITS Pilani | INR 11 Lakh+ |
| K J Somaiya | INR 21 Lakh+ |
| NIBM, Pune | INR 15 Lakh+ |
| LBSIM, Delhi | INR 16 Lakh+ |
| Christ University, Bangalore | INR 6 Lakh+ |
Note: The above fee data is for reference only. Candidates should check the respective institute’s official website before applying.
XAT Colleges Placement Comparison
Placement performance gives candidates an idea about the career opportunities available after completing an MBA.
The average package across XAT colleges ranges from around INR 10 LPA to INR 33 LPA. XLRI Jamshedpur reports the highest average package among the listed institutes, followed by XIM University and MICA, with average packages of around INR 20-21 LPA.
Several other colleges also report average packages between INR 14 LPA and INR 18 LPA, offering good career opportunities across different management domains.
| XAT Colleges | Average Pkg (Approx) |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | INR 31 LPA-INR 33 LPA |
| XIM University, Bhubaneshwar | INR 20 LPA-INR 21 LPA |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | INR 17 LPA-INR 18 LPA |
| IMT Nagpur | INR 10 LPA-INR 11 LPA |
| TAPMI | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| GLIM, Chennai | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | INR 20 LPA-INR 21 LPA |
| IRMA, Anand | INR 15 LPA-INR 16 LPA |
| LIBA, Chennai | INR 10 LPA-INR 11 LPA |
| FORE, Delhi | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| GIM, Panji | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| BITS Pilani | INR 15 LPA-INR 16 LPA |
| K J Somaiya | INR 12 LPA-INR 13 LPA |
| NIBM, Pune | INR 15 LPA-INR 16 LPA |
| LBSIM, Delhi | INR 12 LPA-INR 13 LPA |
| Christ University, Bangalore | INR 10 LPA-INR 11 LPA |
Note: The above placement figures are approximate and shared only for reference. Candidates should visit the respective institute’s official website for the latest placement statistics.
XAT Score Vs Colleges: Which XAT College Can You Target?
Your target college depends on your expected XAT percentile.
| Expected Percentile | Colleges You Can Target |
| 94-98+ | XLRI Jamshedpur, NIBM Pune |
| 91-93 | XIM University |
| 90-92 | IMT Ghaziabad |
| 85+ | GLIM Chennai, MICA Ahmedabad, GIM Panji |
| 80+ | TAPMI, IMT Nagpur, IRMA Anand, LBSIM Delhi |
| 75+ | LIBA Chennai, FORE Delhi |
Conclusion
More than 250 MBA colleges accept XAT scores, giving candidates plenty of options beyond XLRI. While institutes such as XLRI Jamshedpur, XIM University, and IMT Ghaziabad require higher percentiles, several other reputed colleges offer quality MBA programmes with comparatively lower cutoff requirements.
Before finalising your college list, compare the expected cutoff, programme fees, and placement outcomes instead of focusing on only one factor. This approach will help you choose a college that matches both your XAT score and your long-term career goals.
If you are preparing for the upcoming XAT exam, MBA KARO XAT Online Coaching can help you improve your preparation through structured study plans, expert mentorship, and regular mock tests designed to maximise your percentile.
