MBA From India or Abroad: Which one is Better?
GMAT
Talk to ExpertMBA from India or Abroad?: A lot of students are confused if they want to pursue an MBA degree in India or Abroad. Going abroad for studying MBA is tough and a little expensive. So what to do? Which is the better choice India or Abroad? What is the cost of studying MBA Abroad? Many questions come to the minds of students. Here we will answer a few of them to help you select the best one.
Master of Business Administration or MBA is a popular postgraduate degree pursued by students after completing an undergraduate degree in the related stream. It is ideal for students who wish to enhance their careers in top management positions in popular organizations.
GMAT vs CAT
GMAT and CAT are two exams required to get admission into an MBA program. GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is an entrance exam necessary for students who are aiming to study MBA from abroad universities. CAT or Common Admission Test is an entrance exam necessary for students who are aiming to study MBA from Business colleges in India. Both exams are standardized with a similar level of difficulty and have their pros and cons.
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If we talk about the examination cost, then CAT is far cheaper as compared to the GMAT exam. Also, it opens up all the routes for Indian Universities while GMAT is acceptable only for the top schools in India. If you are looking to get into top B schools abroad, we suggest you pick the GMAT. It is costlier but opens up a more prominent option for you. You can apply for admission either at top MBA universities abroad or top MBA universities in India. In addition, if you are not aiming for the top universities, we suggest you read on.
MBA in India vs Abroad
| Key Points |
MBA in India |
MBA Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Program Duration |
2 Years |
1-2 Years |
| Study Type |
Full Time |
Full Time, Part Time, Online |
| Specializations |
Finance, Marketing, HR, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Supply Chain, Healthcare, etc. |
Finance, Marketing, HR, Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Consulting, Information Systems, etc. |
| Teaching |
Theoretical |
Theoretical and Practical both |
| Average Cost |
Rs. 7-25 lakh |
Rs. 20-75 lakh |
| Average Salary |
Rs. 8-30 lakh |
Rs. 25-70 lakh |
Top B-Schools Abroad vs Top B-Schools in India
Which are the best options B-Schools abroad or in India? The simple answer to the question is that you cannot compare them as they have their importance. While both sets of colleges offer excellent prospects, their admission process is varied and different. The most significant difference is in work experience. If you are looking to study the best management programs from abroad universities then you must have an excellent academic record and a great score, you also need to have relevant work experience. However, top universities in India do not require the same.
The difference is in the exposure offered by abroad universities is far better than that of Indian colleges. The study pattern and syllabus may be the same but the exposure is quite different. In the end, it depends on your choice and your budget. Most of the top Indian universities/colleges have exchange programs that allow you to get better opportunities abroad as well. If you wish to work in top management positions in globally famous organizations, then top universities abroad are the best choice to complete your management degree.
Top 10 MBA Universities Abroad by QS Rankings
Many universities all over the world offer leading MBA programs for international students. Below is the list of the top 10 MBA universities abroad by QS:
| MBA in Foreign Universities |
QS Ranking (MBA) 2024 |
|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business |
#1 |
| Penn (Wharton) |
#2 |
| #3 |
|
| #4 |
|
| #5 |
|
| #6 |
|
| #7 |
|
| #8 |
|
| Cambridge (Judge) |
#9 |
| #10 |
Read more about the latest QS World MBA rankings
Other MBA Colleges in India vs Mid-level MBA Colleges Abroad
This is an entirely different assumption altogether and the answer is simple – if you can afford it, a mid-level university abroad is better than an MBA from a private institute in India. Simply put, the return on investment is better. Some abroad universities offer MBA programs at a much lower cost than expected. For instance, an MBA from Germany would cost you comparatively less and give you the added advantage of studying abroad. Similar is the case with many Western European nations. For instance, Estonia and other Baltic states offer you an MBA at almost the same cost. Perhaps a bit higher but the fact remains that you can find a place in the top university in Estonia. Similar is the case with many state universities in Germany.
Therefore, while deciding on whether or not to do an MBA is an important aspect, what is extremely important is to note that where to do your MBA is what would decide your future. Before applying for any of the exams, we urge you to look at the many universities abroad, compare them with what they offer against their Indian counterparts and, if you can, then aim for universities abroad.
Related Articles
- Top 5 countries to study MBA abroad
- MBA Abroad Eligibility Criteria
- Pros & Cons of Studying MBA in UK v/s India
FAQs
Q. Is it better to study MBA in India or abroad?
Q. Does a foreign MBA have value in India?
Q. Is it better to do MBA in India or UK?
Q. Which country is better to study MBA program?
Q. Is an Indian MBA valid in the UK?
Q: Is GMAT harder than CAT?
Both GMAT and CAT entrance exams for MBA admissions. While CAT is required for Indian B-schools, GMAT is required for both Indian and international B-schools. GMAT is tougher than CAT because:
- GMAT records more applicants since it is accepted globally, which means there is a higher competition among applicants, in comparison to CAT.
- GMAT tests applicants holistically across its three broad sections - Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights.
- Also, GMAT is tougher than CAT because, questions on GMAT have stronger emphasis on global business school entrance exams and their specific requirements. CAT only focuses on Indian business specific requirements.
Check: GMAT vs CAT: Key Differences
Q: Is the GRE exam easier than GMAT?
The GMAT test might be easy for those go prefer logical problems instead of Geometry as there are more Geometry questions in the GRE. In addition, the Quantitative section is harder in the GMAT in comparison to the GRE. The verbal section in the GRE can be difficult for non-native English speakers. Candidates can go back and forth in the GRE test, whereas in GMAT one doesn't have the freedom to save and return to each section during the exam. The decision to choose a test for studying abroad depends on various factors such the course requirement, university requirements, current level of preparation, comfort level with the exam pattern, etc.
Q: Do schools like Harvard prefer GRE or GMAT?
Harvard accepts both GRE and GMAT scores for admission, it depends on the type, of course, you are planning to do. So, check whether your degree programme requires you to submit GRE or GMAT score before applying. Particularly, they do not give preference to one exam over another. Moreover, you must assess your comfort level with the pattern of both the exams and then make a choice. The best way to do this is to appear for mock tests, for both the exams, before you make a decision. You must also check the course and university requirements for more clarity.
Q: What is the difference between GMAT and CAT?
GMAT or otherwise known as the Graduate Management Admission Test and Common Admission Test or commonly referred to as CAT are the two most widely accepted management entrance tests, scores of which are accepted by all the top B-schools, including the IIMs. The basic difference, between the two, is that while CAT is a national-level entrance exam for students looking for admission to Top Business Schools in India, GMAT is held on a global level and helps students for admission to top B-Schools worldwide. Conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council, GMAT scores are acceptable mainly in the case of NRI/Foreign students who want to study in India. The IIMs accept the GMAT score of domestic candidates for executive management programmes. Candidates can learn in-depth about the difference between GMAT and CAT exams.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
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