MBA Colleges in Uttarakhand Accepting Low CAT Score (2026): Fees, Cutoffs & NIRF Ranks
5 MBA and PGDM colleges in Uttarakhand admit students in the 40–92 CAT percentile range for the 2026-28 batch, 3 of them NIRF 2025 top-100 (best: IIM Kashipur at rank 23). Fees start at ₹7 L (IBS Dehradun, Dehradun) and the highest reported average placement is 16 LPA at IIM Kashipur. The lowest CAT floor in the state is 50 percentile.
This is the full working list of MBA and PGDM colleges in Uttarakhand that actually admit candidates below the IIM cutoff — 5 institutes, sorted by NIRF 2025 rank, with the CAT band each one admits in, its total two-year fee and its reported average placement. 4 of them take students at 60 percentile or below.
All 5 MBA colleges in Uttarakhand
| NIRF 2025 | College | City | CAT band | Total fee | Avg CTC | Also accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | IIM KashipurIndian Institute of Management Kashipur | Kashipur | 92–96 %ile | ₹17.5 L | 16 LPA | CAT only |
| 36 | UPES DehradunUPES School of Business | Dehradun | 60–75 %ile | ₹20.3 L | 8.3 LPA | XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT, NMAT, ATMA |
| 52 | Graphic EraGraphic Era Deemed University School of Management | Dehradun | 60–75 %ile | ₹9.9 L | 6.6 LPA | MAT, CMAT, XAT |
| — | Doon Business SchoolDBS Global University Doon Business School | Dehradun | 50–65 %ile | ₹9.1 L | 8.2 LPA | CMAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT |
| — | IBS DehradunICFAI Business School Dehradun | Dehradun | 50–65 %ile | ₹7 L | 6 LPA | IBSAT, NMAT, XAT, 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 Uttarakhand entrance-exam route most candidates miss
Dehradun has become a genuine second-tier MBA cluster, and none of it runs on a state test — UPES, Graphic Era, Doon Business School and IBS Dehradun all admit on CAT/XAT/CMAT/MAT/NMAT with their own rounds.
UPES is the brand (NIRF-36, AACSB) but at ₹20.3 lakh against an ₹8.3 LPA average the maths is unflattering; its value is in the niche programmes — energy, aviation, logistics — that nobody else runs. IIM Kashipur, at 92+, is the only high-percentile option in the state.
Across these 5 colleges the most widely accepted alternatives to CAT are XAT (4 colleges), CMAT (3 colleges), MAT (3 colleges), GMAT (3 colleges) and NMAT (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 Uttarakhand
Divide the reported average placement by the total fee. In Uttarakhand the spread runs from ₹7 L at IBS Dehradun to ₹20.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Kashipur | Kashipur | ₹17.5 L | 16 LPA | 0.91 |
| Doon Business School | Dehradun | ₹9.1 L | 8.2 LPA | 0.90 |
| IBS Dehradun | Dehradun | ₹7 L | 6 LPA | 0.86 |
| Graphic Era | Dehradun | ₹9.9 L | 6.6 LPA | 0.67 |
| UPES Dehradun | Dehradun | ₹20.3 L | 8.3 LPA | 0.41 |
NIRF 2025 ranked colleges in Uttarakhand
3 Uttarakhand 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 Uttarakhand by city
Open a city for its full list, local recruiter mix and fee spread: Dehradun (4) and Kashipur (1).
Frequently asked questions
Which MBA colleges in Uttarakhand accept a low CAT percentile?
4 of the 5 colleges on this page admit at 60 percentile or below, the lowest floor in the state being 50 percentile. Doon Business School, IBS Dehradun, UPES Dehradun and Graphic Era are the most accessible.
What is the cheapest MBA college in Uttarakhand?
ICFAI Business School Dehradun in Dehradun at ₹7 L total for the two-year programme, reporting 6 LPA average placement. 3 colleges in the state charge under ₹10 lakh in total.
Which is the best MBA college in Uttarakhand by NIRF ranking?
Indian Institute of Management Kashipur at NIRF 2025 rank 23, admitting in the 92–96 percentile band with a ₹17.5 L fee and 16 LPA average placement.
Can I get an MBA in Uttarakhand without CAT?
Yes. UPES is the brand (NIRF-36, AACSB) but at ₹20. Beyond that, most private institutes here accept XAT, CMAT, MAT and GMAT, 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.