MBA Colleges in Telangana Accepting Low CAT Score (2026): Fees, Cutoffs & NIRF Ranks
8 MBA and PGDM colleges in Telangana admit students in the 40–92 CAT percentile range for the 2026-28 batch, 3 of them NIRF 2025 top-100 (best: IBS Hyderabad at rank 46). Fees start at ₹2.3 L (SMS UoH, Hyderabad) and the highest reported average placement is 12.4 LPA at IMT Hyderabad. The lowest CAT floor in the state is 55 percentile.
This is the full working list of MBA and PGDM colleges in Telangana that actually admit candidates below the IIM cutoff — 8 institutes, sorted by NIRF 2025 rank, with the CAT band each one admits in, its total two-year fee and its reported average placement. 3 of them take students at 60 percentile or below.
All 8 MBA colleges in Telangana
| NIRF 2025 | College | City | CAT band | Total fee | Avg CTC | Also accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | IBS HyderabadICFAI Business School Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 70–85 %ile | ₹17 L | 9.8 LPA | IBSAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT |
| 72 | IMT HyderabadInstitute of Management Technology Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 85–92 %ile | ₹16 L | 12.4 LPA | XAT, CMAT, GMAT |
| 95 | MANAGE HyderabadNational Institute of Agricultural Extension Management | Hyderabad | 75–90 %ile | ₹9.8 L | 12.4 LPA | CAT only |
| 101–125 | SMS UoHSchool of Management Studies University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 80–90 %ile | ₹2.3 L | n/a | CAT only |
| — | WoxsenWoxsen University School of Business | Hyderabad | 70–80 %ile | ₹15 L | 9.9 LPA | XAT, NMAT, GMAT, GRE |
| — | SSIMSiva Sivani Institute of Management | Secunderabad | 55–70 %ile | ₹6.9 L | 7.4 LPA | XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA |
| — | IPE HyderabadInstitute of Public Enterprise | Hyderabad | 60–70 %ile | ₹9.2 L | 7 LPA | XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, GMAT |
| — | VJIMVignana Jyothi Institute of Management | Hyderabad | 60–70 %ile | ₹9.2 L | 6.3 LPA | XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, GMAT |
Sorted by NIRF 2025 rank, unranked institutes last. CAT band is the percentile range in which the institute actually admits for 2026-28.
The Telangana entrance-exam route most candidates miss
TS-ICET governs the state’s convener quota and is the cheapest way into Osmania-affiliated colleges. Siva Sivani accepts it alongside CAT; the University of Hyderabad’s School of Management Studies is CAT-only and charges roughly ₹2.3 lakh.
Hyderabad’s private tier is unusually deep for a single city: IBS (IBSAT-led, AACSB), IMT Hyderabad at 85+, Woxsen and IPE at 60–80, VJIM at 65. IPE is the value pick — an autonomous, Osmania-linked institute with heavy PSU and BFSI recruiting at about ₹9.2 lakh.
Across these 8 colleges the most widely accepted alternatives to CAT are XAT (6 colleges), GMAT (5 colleges), CMAT (4 colleges), MAT (3 colleges) and ATMA (3 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 Telangana
Divide the reported average placement by the total fee. In Telangana the spread runs from ₹2.3 L at SMS UoH to ₹17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MANAGE Hyderabad | Hyderabad | ₹9.8 L | 12.4 LPA | 1.27 |
| SSIM | Secunderabad | ₹6.9 L | 7.4 LPA | 1.07 |
| IMT Hyderabad | Hyderabad | ₹16 L | 12.4 LPA | 0.78 |
| IPE Hyderabad | Hyderabad | ₹9.2 L | 7 LPA | 0.76 |
| VJIM | Hyderabad | ₹9.2 L | 6.3 LPA | 0.68 |
| Woxsen | Hyderabad | ₹15 L | 9.9 LPA | 0.66 |
| IBS Hyderabad | Hyderabad | ₹17 L | 9.8 LPA | 0.58 |
NIRF 2025 ranked colleges in Telangana
3 Telangana 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.
| NIRF 2025 | College | City | CAT band | Total fee | Avg CTC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | IBS HyderabadICFAI Business School Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 70–85 %ile | ₹17 L | 9.8 LPA |
| 72 | IMT HyderabadInstitute of Management Technology Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 85–92 %ile | ₹16 L | 12.4 LPA |
| 95 | MANAGE HyderabadNational Institute of Agricultural Extension Management | Hyderabad | 75–90 %ile | ₹9.8 L | 12.4 LPA |
MBA colleges in Telangana by city
Open a city for its full list, local recruiter mix and fee spread: Hyderabad (7) and Secunderabad (1).
Frequently asked questions
Which MBA colleges in Telangana accept a low CAT percentile?
3 of the 8 colleges on this page admit at 60 percentile or below, the lowest floor in the state being 55 percentile. SSIM, IPE Hyderabad and VJIM are the most accessible.
What is the cheapest MBA college in Telangana?
School of Management Studies University of Hyderabad in Hyderabad at ₹2.3 L total for the two-year programme. It does not publish an average placement figure, so ask for the audited placement report before applying. 5 colleges in the state charge under ₹10 lakh in total.
Which is the best MBA college in Telangana by NIRF ranking?
ICFAI Business School Hyderabad at NIRF 2025 rank 46, admitting in the 70–85 percentile band with a ₹17 L fee and 9.8 LPA average placement.
Can I get an MBA in Telangana without CAT?
Yes. Hyderabad’s private tier is unusually deep for a single city: IBS (IBSAT-led, AACSB), IMT Hyderabad at 85+, Woxsen and IPE at 60–80, VJIM at 65. Beyond that, most private institutes here accept XAT, GMAT, CMAT and MAT, 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.