MBA Colleges in Andhra Pradesh Accepting Low CAT Score (2026): Fees, Cutoffs & NIRF Ranks
4 MBA and PGDM colleges in Andhra Pradesh admit students in the 40–92 CAT percentile range for the 2026-28 batch, 2 of them NIRF 2025 top-100 (best: IIM Visakhapatnam at rank 29). Fees start at ₹3 L (Andhra University, Visakhapatnam) and the highest reported average placement is 15.7 LPA at IIM Visakhapatnam. The lowest CAT floor in the state is 40 percentile.
This is the full working list of MBA and PGDM colleges in Andhra Pradesh 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. 3 of them take students at 60 percentile or below.
All 4 MBA colleges in Andhra Pradesh
| NIRF 2025 | College | City | CAT band | Total fee | Avg CTC | Also accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | IIM VisakhapatnamIndian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | 82–92 %ile | ₹23.6 L | 15.7 LPA | CAT only |
| 70 | KLU VijayawadaKL Business School KL University | Vijayawada | 50–60 %ile | ₹11 L | 8 LPA | AP-ICET, MAT, XAT |
| 101–125 | GITAM VizagGITAM School of Business | Visakhapatnam | 50–60 %ile | ₹11.4 L | 5.4 LPA | GAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, NMAT, AP-ICET |
| — | Andhra UniversityAndhra University Department of Management Studies | Visakhapatnam | 40–55 %ile | ₹3 L | 6.7 LPA | AP-ICET |
Sorted by NIRF 2025 rank, unranked institutes last. CAT band is the percentile range in which the institute actually admits for 2026-28.
The Andhra Pradesh entrance-exam route most candidates miss
AP-ICET is the state route and it is what makes Andhra University’s MBA cost about ₹3 lakh with a ₹6.7 LPA average. GITAM and KL University accept it alongside their own tests (GAT and the KLU process) as well as CAT.
IIM Visakhapatnam is the reason to care about this state on a CAT-first search: its 82-percentile shortlist floor is the lowest of any IIM in South India, and it reports ₹15.7 LPA. For anyone in the 82–92 band, it should be the first application.
Across these 4 colleges the most widely accepted alternatives to CAT are AP-ICET (3 colleges), XAT (2 colleges), MAT (2 colleges), GAT (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 Andhra Pradesh
Divide the reported average placement by the total fee. In Andhra Pradesh the spread runs from ₹3 L at Andhra University to ₹23.6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra University | Visakhapatnam | ₹3 L | 6.7 LPA | 2.23 |
| KLU Vijayawada | Vijayawada | ₹11 L | 8 LPA | 0.73 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | ₹23.6 L | 15.7 LPA | 0.67 |
| GITAM Vizag | Visakhapatnam | ₹11.4 L | 5.4 LPA | 0.47 |
NIRF 2025 ranked colleges in Andhra Pradesh
2 Andhra Pradesh 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | IIM VisakhapatnamIndian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | 82–92 %ile | ₹23.6 L | 15.7 LPA |
| 70 | KLU VijayawadaKL Business School KL University | Vijayawada | 50–60 %ile | ₹11 L | 8 LPA |
MBA colleges in Andhra Pradesh by city
Open a city for its full list, local recruiter mix and fee spread: Visakhapatnam (3) and Vijayawada (1).
Frequently asked questions
Which MBA colleges in Andhra Pradesh accept a low CAT percentile?
3 of the 4 colleges on this page admit at 60 percentile or below, the lowest floor in the state being 40 percentile. Andhra University, GITAM Vizag and KLU Vijayawada are the most accessible.
What is the cheapest MBA college in Andhra Pradesh?
Andhra University Department of Management Studies in Visakhapatnam at ₹3 L total for the two-year programme, reporting 6.7 LPA average placement. 1 colleges in the state charge under ₹10 lakh in total.
Which is the best MBA college in Andhra Pradesh by NIRF ranking?
Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam at NIRF 2025 rank 29, admitting in the 82–92 percentile band with a ₹23.6 L fee and 15.7 LPA average placement.
Can I get an MBA in Andhra Pradesh without CAT?
Yes. IIM Visakhapatnam is the reason to care about this state on a CAT-first search: its 82-percentile shortlist floor is the lowest of any IIM in South India, and it reports ₹15. Beyond that, most private institutes here accept AP-ICET, XAT, MAT and GAT, 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.