Content Strategist at Collegedunia
The University of Madras, M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, Meenakshi College of Engineering, SSIT Chennai, and NITTTR are among the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai.
Fees: University of Madras is the Cheapest government MBA college that offers a full-time 2-year MBA with a total cost of 19.5 K, followed by M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women and various Anna University-affiliated colleges (e.g., Meenakshi College, SSIT Chennai) with total course fees ranging from 35K to 80K.
Placements & ROI (%): The average package ranges from 3.5 to 7 LPA with a 60-90% Placement rate. Some prominent recruiters are TCS, Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro, Accenture, Deloitte, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. Government colleges like the University of Madras and Anna University-affiliated colleges offer excellent ROI (often 1000-2500%+ due to ultra-low fees) with Hindustan Institute (HITS) for high ROI among affordable private options (~375%).
Admission Process: There are two main routes to take admission into the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai. One is through an entrance exam and the other is through direct/merit-based admission (limited seats). Admission is primarily based on entrance exams such as TANCET, CAT, MAT, CMAT and merit for some affiliated colleges. This is the main and most followed process for MBA admission, especially for affordable options under 1 Lakh course fees, as it allows access to government-subsidised seats. Some private affiliated colleges offer direct admission based on academic performance (Bachelor's 50% minimum) or management quotas, mostly without a mandatory entrance exam.
Cheapest MBA Colleges in Chennai: Full Time (2 Years) 2026
| College Name | Total Fees (INR) | Average Placement (in LPA) | ROI (%) | College Type | Cutoff / Eligibility | Top Specialisations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Madras Chennai | 19.5 K | 4-6 | 2500 | Government (Public University) | TANCET 60-80+Bachelor's 50% | General Management, HR, Finance, Systems |
| M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women Chennai | 32 K | 3.5-4 | 1100 | Private (Autonomous) | TANCET/MAT Bachelor's 50% (Women only) | Marketing, Finance, HR |
| Meenakshi College of Engineering Chennai | 35 K | 3-4 | 1000 | Private (Anna University Affiliated) | TANCET Bachelor's 50% | General, Finance, Marketing |
| SSIT Chennai | 35 K | 3-4.5 | 1100 | Private (Anna University Affiliated) | TANCET Bachelor's 50% | Marketing, HR, Operations |
| NITTTR Chennai | 38.6 K | - | - | Government | TANCET/GATE for related programs | Education Management, Analytics (if offered) |
| AIHT Chennai | 41 K | 3-4 | 900 | Private (Anna University Affiliated) | TANCET Bachelor's 50% | Finance, Marketing, HR |
| DMICE Chennai | 41 K | 3-4 | 900 | Private | TANCET | General, Operations |
| DCE Chennai | 41 K | 3-4.5 | 1000 | Private | TANCET | Marketing, Finance |
| GKMCET Chennai | 41 K | 3-4 | 900 | Private | TANCET | Systems, HR |
| JEC Chennai | 41 K | 3-4 | 900 | Private | TANCET | General Management, Marketing |
Cheapest MBA Colleges in Chennai: PGDM (1 Year) 2025
| College Name | Total Fees (INR) | Average Placement (in LPA) | College Type | Cutoff / Eligibility | Top Specialisations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAHER University, Institute Of Distance Education Chennai | 4 K | 2-3 | Private | Bachelor's degree, Direct admission | General Management |
| IIKM Chennai | 12.5 K | 3-4 | Private | Bachelor's, Direct/Merit | Business Management, HR |
| AIITM Chennai | 20.5 K | 3-4.5 | Private | Bachelor's 50%, Merit/Entrance | Marketing, Finance |
| AIIMAS Chennai | 25 K | 3-5 | Private | Bachelor's, Direct | General, Operations |
| IHM Chennai | 38.9 K | 4-5 | Private | Bachelor's, Merit | Hospitality Management, Business |
| ISBM Chennai | 40.9 K | 3-5 | Private | Bachelor's, Direct/Merit | Marketing, Finance, HR |
| SRMIST Chennai | 75 K | 4-6 | Deemed University | Bachelor's 50%, Entrance/Merit | General Management, Analytics |
| Versatile Business School Chennai | 75 K | 4-6 | Private | Bachelor's, Direct | Business Administration, Marketing |
| ICOFP Chennai | 2.4 Lakh | 5-8 | Private | Bachelor's + Experience, Entrance | Finance, Operations |
| AIMED Chennai | 3.0 Lakh | 6-9 | Private | Bachelor's + Work Ex, Merit/Interview | Executive Management, Strategy |
Cheapest Executive MBA Colleges in Chennai
DoMS IIT Madras Chennai, GLIM Chennai, HITS Chennai, IIKM Chennai, and the University of Madras Chennai are among the most affordable executive MBA colleges in Chennai, offering an executive MBA with course fees ranging from 1.60 Lakh to 13.50 Lakh.
| College Name | Total Fees (INR) | Average Placement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoMS IIT Madras Chennai | 13.5 Lakh | 16-18 LPA | Prestigious 2-year weekend program, high ROI with excellent placements in consulting, tech, and finance, requires 3+ years of experience |
| GLIM Chennai | 12.97 Lakh | 15-18 LPA | strong industry ties and high average packages, ideal for mid-senior professionals |
| HITS Chennai | - | 4.5-6 LPA | Affordable private option with specialisations like Aviation/Hospital Management; placements are moderate but improving |
| IIKM Chennai | 1.75 Lakh | 4-6 LPA | Among the cheapest, flexible 1-year/part-time formats, limited reported placements—best for skill upgrade |
| University of Madras Chennai | 1.78 Lakh | 4-6 LPA | Government-affiliated, very low-cost part-time Executive MBA, good for the public sector or balanced work-study |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology Ramapuram Campus Chennai | - | 5-8 LPA | Campus-specific executive options, strong SRM network for placements in IT and core sectors |
| MSSW Chennai | - | 5-6.5 LPA | Specialised in HR/Social Work Management; placements in NGOs, HR roles; unique focus on ethical leadership |
| SRM University Vadapalani Campus Chennai | 5.00 Lakh | 6-7 LPA | strong SRM network for placements in IT and core sectors |
| Galaxy Institute of Management Chennai | 1.60 Lakh | 4-6 LPA | One of the most affordable, suitable for budget-conscious professionals |
| CBS Chennai | 2.50 Lakh | 6-8 LPA | Industry-oriented with decent placements in marketing/finance |
Cheapest Online/Distance MBA Colleges in Chennai
IDE Chennai, TNOU Chennai, and IGNOU offer an online/distance MBA program in Chennai with a course fee ranging from 24 K to 80 K.
| College/University Name | Total Fees (INR) | Notes on Program & Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| University of Madras (IDE) Chennai | 38 - 41K | Institute of Distance Education, an affordable state university option with specialisations (HR, Finance, Marketing, Hospital Mgmt), merit-based, and strong local support |
| Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) Chennai | 24 - 40K | State Open University; highly flexible ODL mode, general/specialised MBA, no entrance exam, ideal for Tamil Nadu residents |
| IGNOU (Regional Centre Chennai) | 62 - 66K | National Open University; widely recognised ODL/online MBA with multiple specialisations, no entrance, valid for govt jobs |
| Anna University (Centre for Distance Education) Chennai | 50 - 80K | Specialised distance/online MBA (e.g., General, Business Analytics), entrance-based, strong reputation in technical management |
| Alagappa University (Study Centres in Chennai) | 26 - 40K | Distance MBA with various specialisations; study/exam centres in Chennai, UGC-DEB approved, flexible for professionals |
Cheapest MBA Colleges in Chennai: Specialisation Wise 2026
University of Madras, Anna University (DoMS/CEG), are famous for their Finance specialisation, while Anna University and Presidency College for their Marketing specialisation. Here is the list of the top MBA specialisations in the cheapest MBA Colleges in Chennai with available college names, fees range, placement, and cutoff range.
| Specialization | College Names | Total Fees Range | Avg Placement Range | Cutoff Range |
| Finance | University of Madras, Anna University (DoMS/CEG), Presidency College | 50K – 2 Lakh | 5–8 LPA | TANCET marks 45-70+ / Merit |
| Marketing | University of Madras, Anna University, Presidency College | 50K – 2.5 Lakh | 5–8 LPA | TANCET marks 40-65+ / Merit |
| HR Management | University of Madras, Anna University, Presidency College | 50K – 2 Lakh | 5–7 LPA | TANCET marks 40-65+ |
| Business Analytics | Anna University, University of Madras, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS) | 80K – 3.5 Lakh | 6–9 LPA | TANCET marks 50-70+ / CAT 60+ %ile |
| Operations Management | Anna University, University of Madras, Hindustan Institute (HITS) | 50K – 8 Lakh | 5–8 LPA | TANCET marks 45-65+ |
| Hospital/Healthcare Management | University of Madras (Hospital Mgmt track), Hindustan Institute (HITS), SRM Institute | 80K – 7 Lakh | 5–8 LPA | TANCET marks 45-65+ / Merit |
| Aviation Management | Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), SRM Institute (specialised tracks) | 3.5 – 7.5 Lakh | 4–7 LPA | TANCET/MAT/CMAT accepted / Merit |
Cheapest MBA Colleges in Chennai: FAQs
Ques. Which are the top MBA entrance exams for the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai?
Ans. TANCET, CAT, MAT, CMAT, and merit-based admission (for some affiliated colleges) are the top entrance exams accepted by the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai. TANCET is the primary and most important exam for securing seats in government and low-fee affiliated colleges.
Ques. How many AICTE-approved MBA colleges in Chennai accept CAT scores for admission?
Ans. Around 85 AICTE-approved MBA colleges in Chennai accept CAT scores. Here are the top 5 cheapest AICTE-approved MBA colleges in Chennai that accept CAT scores (along with TANCET/MAT/CMAT):
- University of Madras, Chennai
- Presidency College, Chennai
- Anna University (Department of Management Studies/CEG Campus)
- M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai
- NITTTR Chennai
Ques. What is the average salary after completing an MBA from the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai?
Ans. The average salary ranges from 3 - 7 LPA after completing an MBA from the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai. Government colleges like University of Madras and Presidency College typically offer 4-6 LPA, while slightly higher-fee affiliated private colleges (under 1 Lakh) offer 3.5-6 LPA.
Ques. Why are the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai kept so affordable?
Ans. For the following reasons, the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai are kept so affordable.
- Most seats are filled through the state government exam (TANCET) at very low fixed fees set by the Tamil Nadu government.
- Colleges are part of state universities (University of Madras, Anna University affiliates) or government institutions, so fees are heavily regulated and subsidised.
- Simple infrastructure, local faculty, and minimal luxury facilities keep operational costs low.
- Very limited or no management quota seats at inflated fees.
Ques. Which are the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai that offer direct admission?
Ans. Some of the cheapest MBA colleges in Chennai offer direct admission based on graduation marks (minimum 50%) with a possible personal interview, bypassing entrance exams (subject to seat availability and management quota). Examples include:
- M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women (merit-based, women only) – fees ~32K-1.24 Lakh
- Meenakshi College of Engineering – fees ~35-80K
- AIHT Chennai (Anna Institute of Health Technology) – fees ~41-80K
- Various Anna University-affiliated colleges (e.g., DCE, GKMCET, JEC) – fees ~41K-1 Lakh (merit/direct in limited seats)
- SSIT Chennai – fees ~35K-1 Lakh (merit-based options)
Note: Most truly cheapest seats (under 50K) are through TANCET only, and direct admission is more common in private affiliated colleges with slightly higher fees.
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