MBA Colleges in Jharkhand Accepting Low CAT Score (2026): Fees, Cutoffs & NIRF Ranks
4 MBA and PGDM colleges in Jharkhand admit students in the 40–92 CAT percentile range for the 2026-28 batch, 3 of them NIRF 2025 top-100 (best: IIM Ranchi at rank 18). Fees start at ₹4.6 L (IIT ISM Dhanbad, Dhanbad) and the highest reported average placement is 19.3 LPA at IIM Ranchi. The lowest CAT floor in the state is 40 percentile.
This is the full working list of MBA and PGDM colleges in Jharkhand that actually admit candidates below the IIM cutoff — 4 institutes, sorted by NIRF 2025 rank, with the CAT band each one admits in, its total two-year fee and its reported average placement. 2 of them take students at 60 percentile or below.
All 4 MBA colleges in Jharkhand
| NIRF 2025 | College | City | CAT band | Total fee | Avg CTC | Also accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | IIM RanchiIndian Institute of Management Ranchi | Ranchi | 94–97 %ile | ₹19.2 L | 19.3 LPA | CAT only |
| 48 | IIT ISM DhanbadIndian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad | Dhanbad | 80–90 %ile | ₹4.6 L | 10.5 LPA | CAT only |
| 97 | BIT MesraBirla Institute of Technology Mesra | Ranchi | 40–60 %ile | ₹7.8 L | 8 LPA | CAT only |
| — | XISS RanchiXavier Institute of Social Service | Ranchi | 60–70 %ile | ₹12 L | 10.6 LPA | XAT, CMAT |
Sorted by NIRF 2025 rank, unranked institutes last. CAT band is the percentile range in which the institute actually admits for 2026-28.
The Jharkhand entrance-exam route most candidates miss
Jharkhand’s spread is unusually wide for four colleges. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad admits at 80 percentile (70 for OBC/EWS) and charges roughly ₹4.6 lakh for a ₹10.5 LPA average — arguably the best fee-to-outcome ratio of any MBA in India. IIM Ranchi sits at 94+.
At the other end, BIT Mesra sets its CAT eligibility floor at just 40 percentile while sitting at NIRF-97 — the lowest published CAT floor of any NIRF top-100 institute that admits on CAT. XISS Ranchi at 60 percentile is the specialist for HR and rural management.
Across these 4 colleges the most widely accepted alternatives to CAT are XAT (1 colleges) and CMAT (1 colleges). Sitting one of them is usually cheaper than a CAT retake and the results land in time for the same admission rounds.
Fees vs placement: best ROI in Jharkhand
Divide the reported average placement by the total fee. In Jharkhand the spread runs from ₹4.6 L at IIT ISM Dhanbad to ₹19.2 L at the top of the market, so the ratio matters more here than the brand name does.
| College | City | Total fee | Avg CTC | CTC ÷ fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT ISM Dhanbad | Dhanbad | ₹4.6 L | 10.5 LPA | 2.28 |
| BIT Mesra | Ranchi | ₹7.8 L | 8 LPA | 1.03 |
| IIM Ranchi | Ranchi | ₹19.2 L | 19.3 LPA | 1.01 |
| XISS Ranchi | Ranchi | ₹12 L | 10.6 LPA | 0.88 |
NIRF 2025 ranked colleges in Jharkhand
3 Jharkhand institutes appear in the NIRF 2025 Management top 100. These carry the most weight with recruiters and are worth an application even if you are at the bottom of their published band.
MBA colleges in Jharkhand by city
Open a city for its full list, local recruiter mix and fee spread: Ranchi (3) and Dhanbad (1).
Frequently asked questions
Which MBA colleges in Jharkhand accept a low CAT percentile?
2 of the 4 colleges on this page admit at 60 percentile or below, the lowest floor in the state being 40 percentile. BIT Mesra and XISS Ranchi are the most accessible.
What is the cheapest MBA college in Jharkhand?
Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad in Dhanbad at ₹4.6 L total for the two-year programme, reporting 10.5 LPA average placement. 2 colleges in the state charge under ₹10 lakh in total.
Which is the best MBA college in Jharkhand by NIRF ranking?
Indian Institute of Management Ranchi at NIRF 2025 rank 18, admitting in the 94–97 percentile band with a ₹19.2 L fee and 19.3 LPA average placement.
Can I get an MBA in Jharkhand without CAT?
Yes. At the other end, BIT Mesra sets its CAT eligibility floor at just 40 percentile while sitting at NIRF-97 — the lowest published CAT floor of any NIRF top-100 institute that admits on CAT. Beyond that, most private institutes here accept XAT and CMAT, so a CAT score is one route among several rather than a requirement.
More ways to compare. Rank this state’s colleges by cost with the lowest-fee MBA list, see which entrance exams are still open, and check that a college is AICTE-approved before you pay.
Before you pay anything: check that the college is AICTE-approved and know the refund rules.
Sources & methodology
Cutoffs are the published shortlisting percentile where the institute publishes one, and otherwise the band in which it actually admits, taken from institute disclosures and the portals below. Fees are total two-year programme fees excluding hostel unless stated; placement figures are the latest institute-reported averages. Cross-checked against NIRF 2025 on 4 September 2026. Always confirm against the institute’s current admission brochure before paying any fee.