Top Online MBA Colleges in India: Fees, Scholarships, and Placement Guide

Considering going for an MBA but not keen on giving up your salary for two whole years? Well, you aren’t the only one who isn’t too sure about this. And in fact, a lot of working professionals in India are preferring to opt for an online MBA program rather than the conventional path, and there are valid reasons behind it.

The problem is, not all online MBA courses will be worth your time and efforts. There are some colleges out there that will bombard you with a scholarship and proper placements, whereas some are interested only in collecting your fee. So let us analyze what truly matters in an online MBA college in India.

How This Guide Was Put Together

This comparison attempts to combine the available scholarship and fee offers for the MBA courses offered online by Manipal, Sikkim Manipal, Chandigarh University, LPU, Amity, NMIMS, GLA and Uttaranchal University, along with some common points about admissions and placement assistance for all UGC-accredited online MBAs in India. This is only a preliminary basis for making comparisons and should not be used in lieu of the admissions counselor at each of these institutions. Discounts and scholarships may vary greatly from time to time and even within intakes, so take these numbers as they are and confirm the current offer with the institution itself before making any decision.

Why an Online MBA Makes Sense Right Now

You Don't Have to Quit Your Job

This is what really makes it worth it, and there’s no contesting it. The conventional MBA requires you to take a break from your work life for two whole years. The online MBA program allows you to study during the weekend, during your commute to and fro work, or even after you put your kids to sleep. You continue making money as you continue learning.

The Fee Gap Between Online and Campus MBA

MBA fees for the residential courses of the prestigious private institutions may be as high as lakhs, often reaching up to 10-15 lakhs for a two year residential course after considering the cost of accommodation. The cost of online MBAs is considerably lower, and normally all institutions offer the payment plan in semesters. Include a scholarship in the equation, and things become more affordable.

What You Should Actually Check Before Enrolling

UGC Entitlement Matters More Than the Logo

An attractive site cannot guarantee that a degree is legitimate. It is essential to verify from the UGC list of entitled courses before even spending one rupee that the particular MBA specialization chosen is listed. Entitlement may differ from course to course, as well as each year. This, and not the reputation, determines whether or not your degree will be eligible for a PSU job or further study abroad.

Scholarships Available and What They Really Mean

Scholarships aren’t only a gimmick. They do indeed reduce your overall expenditure by quite a bit, often running into tens of thousands of rupees. But do read the fine print. While some are purely merit-based scholarships that require you to achieve a certain cutoff in your previous degree program, there are also ‘early bird’ scholarships where you have to enroll yourself before a particular date.

Placement Assistance: Read the Fine Print

"100% placement assistance" is a great phrase to hear until you figure out that this phrase actually means that the school will assist you in applying, preparing your resume and getting in touch with recruiters. It does not mean that you will receive a job offer. But the assistance is highly important when changing the industry or looking for a promotion, as not many people know how to promote an online degree.

Top Online MBA Colleges in India

Here's a rundown of the online MBA programs currently offering strong scholarship deals, worth comparing before you decide.

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) Online

Manipal has emerged as one of the well-known names in India's online education segment, and the Manipal MBA program attracts a nice blend of professionals from all specialties such as finance, HR, and marketing.

15% Scholarship on Offer

Currently, MUJ Online is offering 15% off their MBA fees, reducing the price substantially per semester if you book early.

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) Online

SMU is also owned by the same Manipal group and has been offering distance learning and online courses for many years, meaning the back-office functions like exams, results, and customer service have been more polished.

15% Scholarship on Offer

Like MUJ, SMU Online is offering a 15% discount on the MBA program fee right now.

Chandigarh University (CU) Online

CU has established a good reputation for placement on its physical campus, and it is carrying some of this forward through its online programs.

Up to 25% Early-Bird Scholarship

Up to 25 percent of tuition discount as an early-bird scholarship will be offered by CU Online. The earlier you apply for this online university, the more discount you will enjoy.

Lovely Professional University (LPU) Online

LPU is famous for its scale since it boasts of the biggest campus in India, and the online department of LPU is no different in its quest for size.

20% Student Grant with No-Cost EMI

Not only will LPU Online save you the total amount of fees through their grant of 20%, but you can also avail their interest-free EMI facility without paying any charges.

Amity University Online

The Amity MBA program is among the most recognized in the online MBA world in India. It has many areas of specialization and a lot of alumni support.

Up to 45% Merit-Based Scholarship

This is the largest scholarship amount in the whole list. Amity Online provides a maximum discount of 45% on the semester fee; however, it’s a merit scholarship that depends upon the student’s academic standing and/or entrance test result.

NMIMS Online (Global Access Program)

NMIMS has built up a reputation through its Mumbai institution, and its online MBA program is based on this same reputation. If recognition by recruiters is one of your priorities, then it is definitely worth considering.

GLA University Online

While GLA is a relatively new player in the domain of Online MBA, it has been growing in leaps and bounds. An option to consider if you are looking for reduced fees without cutting down on the basic MBA syllabus.

Uttaranchal University (UU) Online

UU Online has been picking up attention for its flexible course structure and student support.

30% Early Bird Scholarship

Another great reason why you should start now is that UU Online has a 30 percent early bird scholarship for people willing to join the intake soon.

The Exam Pattern Question Everyone Asks

Why the Admission Process Feels Easier Than You'd Expect

For most people, getting an MBA would require a very competitive examination such as CAT or XAT. This is not the case when it comes to an online MBA admission process. Universities admit students for the program depending on their academic records. You only need to apply and provide all your details.

What the Semester Exams Actually Look Like

After you become a registered student, even the tests are held online, in formats that can be taken at home as well. Assignments and quizzes play an important part in grading, so you don't have to worry about your entire grade being based on one single exam. It is a system designed for working people.

Placement Assistance: What "100%" Should Mean to You

Resume Support and Interview Prep

Quality placement cells do not merely send your resume into the oblivion. In fact, these placement cells assist in the rewriting of the same and also prepare you for the interview sessions that may take place.

Alumni Networks and Referrals

And that’s what gets overlooked. If there’s a strong alumni presence at the college, it means more than just job opportunities posted on a portal site. The key is to find out about the true alumni participation when considering colleges.

How to Pick the Right College for Your Situation

Match the Specialization to Your Career, Not the Trend

Business Analytics is everyone’s choice at the moment, but if your experience lies within operations or sales, then a specialization that utilizes your current knowledge would do more for you than a popular one.

Compare Scholarships Side by Side

Do not be fooled by the percentage that is being offered. For example, it is better to take a 20 percent grant for all students than a merit-based 45 percent discount that you will never qualify for.

Ask About EMI Before You Ask About Rank

Cash flow is important. The availability of an interest-free EMI scheme, such as the one that LPU provides, may be more important than a college that ranks just above it in terms of payment structure.

Verify These Details Before You Apply

Percentage of scholarships and cut-off dates are one of the first few things to be updated at universities as soon as an admission session begins, and therefore, what is right now might become wrong next month. Before paying any fee towards applying, make sure that you have got yourself acquainted with three things through a quick five-minute call made to the admissions department of the university – the latest scholarship percentage required and how much you will have to pay to avail the same, whether the particular specialization of MBA program you want carries UGC eligibility and finally, what will be your final fee after deducting the scholarship amount.

Conclusion

The online MBA degree program is no short cut; however, this is a more sensible route for many working professionals who are unable to leave their professional career. Each of the institutes mentioned above, ranging from Manipal to Sikkim Manipal Institute of Management and including Chandigarh University, LPU, Amity, NMIMS, GLA, and Uttaranchal University, offer something unique to the prospective student be it higher scholarships, better EMI payment scheme, or placement prospects. It is your task to choose the one that matches your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions