SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025: Admission Process, Fees, Placements, & Rankings

Q: Which college is better for an MBA, SPJIMR or XLRI?

Both SPJIMR and XLRI are prestigious institutions offering strong MBA programs. The choice depends on your career goals and preferences. XLRI is known for its HR and consulting specializations, while SPJIMR has a reputation for finance and operations. Consider factors like placement history, program fees, and the specific courses offered to make an informed decision.

Q: What is the average placement package for SPJIMR and XLRI?

As of the latest reports, SPJIMR has an average placement package of ₹32 LPA, while XLRI's average package stands at ₹29.89 LPA. Both institutions attract top recruiters, but SPJIMR tends to have a slight edge in finance roles due to its location in Mumbai.

Q: What are the entrance exams accepted by SPJIMR and XLRI?

SPJIMR accepts CAT and GMAT scores for its admission process, whereas XLRI primarily considers XAT scores. Each institution has its specific eligibility criteria, so ensure you prepare for the appropriate entrance exam based on your chosen college.

Q: How does the admission process differ between SPJIMR and XLRI?

XLRI places strong emphasis on XAT scores, professional experience, and personality assessments through GD and PI rounds. SPJIMR considers CAT/GMAT scores and evaluates candidates based on a composite score that encompasses academic records and application essays. Both processes prioritize a holistic view of the applicant's profile.

Q: What is the fee structure for the MBA programs at SPJIMR and XLRI?

The fees for SPJIMR’s PGDM program are approximately ₹22.5 lakhs, making it relatively more affordable compared to XLRI, which charges around ₹30.6 lakhs for its PGDM program. This difference in fees can impact your decision based on your budget and potential return on investment.

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

July 1, 2025

Overview: SPJIMR vs XLRI, which college is the right choice for an MBA career? Read on to know the complete details about XLRI vs SPJIMR rankings, fees, admission process, placements and more!

Choosing the best MBA college can be challenging for many aspirants. Selecting the right business school is crucial for anyone looking to build a career in management.

In India, SPJIMR Mumbai and XLRI Jamshedpur are two of the top institutions, known for their strong programs, excellent job placements, and helpful alumni networks. But how do you decide which one is better for your career goals?

In this blog, we will compare SPJIMR vs XLRI based on key factors such as rankings, fees, admission processes, placements, and program options to help you make an informed decision.

Check: FMS Delhi MBA Admission Criteria

SPJIMR vs XLRI: Highlights

Both SPJIMR and XLRI boast high rankings and an excellent reputation in the management education landscape. While both offer a world-class faculty and strong industry connections, they cater to slightly different preferences.

Feature	XLRI Jamshedpur	SPJIMR Mumbai
NIRF 2024 Ranking	9	20
Average Placement Package (LPA)	₹29.89 LPA	₹32 LPA
Program Fees (PGDM)	₹30.6 L	₹22.5 L
Entrance Exams Accepted	XAT	CAT/GMAT
Key Specializations	Human Resource Management (HRM), Business Management (BM), Finance, Marketing, Production, Operations & Decision Sciences, Strategic Management	Finance, Information Management, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain
Admissions Focus	XAT scores, professional experience, academic record, essays, and personal interviews	Composite score considering applicant’s profile, academic record, CAT/GMAT scores, work experience (optional), and group interviews. Specialization selected at the time of application for PGDM.

SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025 : Rankings

When it comes to national rankings, XLRI generally holds a slightly higher position. As per the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) 2024, XLRI Jamshedpur secured the 9th rank, while SPJIMR Mumbai was ranked 20th.

This indicates XLRI's consistent performance and established standing within the Indian management education ecosystem.

SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025: Placements

Both institutions are known for their exceptional placement records, attracting top recruiters across various sectors. While average packages can fluctuate, here's a snapshot from recent reports:

College Name	Average Package (LPA)	Prominent Recruiters
XLRI Jamshedpur	₹29.89 LPA	McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Procter & Gamble (P&G), Tata Administrative Services (TAS), J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Microsoft, Deloitte
SPJIMR Mumbai	₹32 LPA	Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HDFC Bank, Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS), Sutherland Global Services, Capgemini, Accenture, First Source Solutions Ltd, Adecco Pvt Ltd, Blue Chip Pvt Ltd, HCL Technologies, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Citi, Avendus (for Finance)

It's noteworthy that while XLRI has a strong presence in consulting and general management, SPJIMR is particularly strong in finance roles due to its Mumbai location and industry connections.

SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025: Fees

The fee structures of XLRI and SPJIMR differ, with SPJIMR generally being more affordable for its flagship PGDM program.

College Name	Program	Fees (in Lakhs)
XLRI Jamshedpur	PGDM	₹30.6 L
SPJIMR Mumbai	PGDM	₹22.5 L

This difference in fees can be a significant factor for many aspirants, impacting the overall Return on Investment (ROI).

SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025: Admission Process

The admission processes for both SPJIMR and XLRI are rigorous and holistic, considering multiple factors beyond just entrance exam scores.

XLRI Admission Process:

1. Eligibility Criteria:

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
Final-year students can also apply.
Work experience is valued but not mandatory.

2.. Shortlisting Process: Candidates are shortlisted primarily based on their XAT scores and institute-specific cutoffs.

Selection Rounds: Shortlisted candidates participate in Group Discussions (GD) and Essay Writing, followed by Personal Interviews (PI) to assess analytical thinking, communication skills, personality, and career goals.
Final Selection: The final selection is based on a composite evaluation of XAT score, GD/PI performance, and overall profile.

Explore: List of CAT Colleges Accepting CAT Score

SPJIMR Admission Process

1. Eligibility Criteria:

Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university.
Accepts CAT and GMAT scores.
Open to fresh graduates and candidates with up to 5 years of experience.

2. Selection Process

Applicants are shortlisted based on their profiles and must meet qualifying scores in at least one accepted entrance exam. Candidates are categorized into "Profile-based selection" and "Profile-cum-Score-based selection."

3. Factors Considered for Final Selection

Academic background (10th, 12th, graduation), relevance of work experience to the chosen specialization, entrance exam scores, and versatility & achievements. Notably, for SPJIMR's PGDM, you select your specialization at the time of application.

Check: Is CAT Mandatory for MBA in Marketing?

XLRI vs SPJIMR: CAT vs XAT

The choice of entrance exam is crucial as XLRI primarily accepts XAT scores, while SPJIMR accepts CAT and GMAT.

Metric	CAT	XAT
Time	2 hrs	3 hrs
Questions	66-68	Approximately 100 (excluding GK)
Sections	3 (VARC, DILR, QA)	3+1 (Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, QA & DI, General Knowledge)
Navigation	Not allowed between sections	Allowed between sections
Sectional Time Limit	Yes	No
Top Colleges	IIMs, SPJIMR, MDI, FMS, IIFT, etc.	XLRI, XIMB, MICA, IMT, etc.
Negative Marking	-1 For every wrong answer (except TITA questions)	-0.25 for wrong, -0.1 for every unattempted after 8 questions

XAT includes a unique "Decision Making" section, which tests practical managerial skills, and a General Knowledge section, which is scored separately. CAT, on the other hand, is known for its stringent sectional time limits and often tricky DILR section.

SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025: Specializations Offered

Both institutions offer a wide range of electives, allowing students to specialize in their areas of interest.

XLRI	SPJIMR
Economics	Finance
Finance	Information Management
Information Systems	Marketing
Marketing	Operations & Supply Chain
Production, Operations & Decision Sciences	Strategic Management

Also Check: Last year CAT Question Papers with Answers

Read More | CAT Admission Process 2025

SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025: Programs Offered

Both XLRI and SPJIMR offer a range of postgraduate and executive programs.

SPJIMR Programs:

1. Full-time Programs:

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM),
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Business Management) (PGDM-BM),
Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM),
Global Management Programme (GMP).

2. Part-time Programs:

Post Graduate Executive Management Programme (PGEMP),
Post Graduate Programme in General Management (PGPGM),
Post Graduate Programme in Development Management (PGPDM),
Post Graduate Programme in Marketing & Business Management (PGP-MBM).

3. Modular Program: Post Graduate Programme in Family Managed Business (PGPFMB).

4. Online Program: Post Graduate Diploma in Management Online (PGDM Online).

XLRI Programs:

XLRI has two main campuses, located in Jamshedpur and Delhi. The programs, fees, and placements are generally combined for both campuses.

1, Full-Time Residential Programmes:

Two-year Postgraduate Programme in Human Resource Management (HRM),
Two-year Postgraduate Programme in Business Management (BM),
Four-year Fellow Programme in Management (FPM),
One-Year General Management Programme (GMP) for working executives.

Read more: Best MBA Finance Colleges in india

2. Part-Time Programmes for Working Executives (various durations and modes, including satellite-based):

Post-graduate Certificate in Business Management (PGCBM),
Post-graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management (PGCHRM),
Post-graduate Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PGCLSCM),
Post-graduate Certificate in Sales and Marketing Management (PGCSMM).

Check | CAT Eligibility Criteria

SPJIMR vs XLRI 2025: Making Your Choice

The decision between XLRI vs SPJIMR ultimately hinges on your individual priorities and career aspirations.

Choose XLRI if: You prioritize a strong brand name, a legacy institution, and are particularly interested in consulting, human resource management (XLRI is a leader in HRM), or general management roles. You are comfortable with the XAT exam pattern.
Choose SPJIMR if you are seeking a more cost-effective MBA with excellent placement opportunities, especially in finance. You value a flexible admission process and the ability to select your specialization at the time of application. You are strong in CAT or GMAT. The Mumbai location also offers distinct advantages for networking and industry exposure.

Both institutions offer a transformative learning experience. Researching each program in detail, connecting with alumni, and understanding the campus culture will further aid your decision-making process.

Check | CAT Exam Pattern

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