When you think about pursuing an MBA then, names like IIM and ISB probably come to your mind. Both are tier-1 Business institutions, offering top-quality education in the management field while providing great job opportunities and excellent campus life.
Even, though they provide best-in-class knowledge in management they are different in many ways, ISB offers 1-year MBA program to professionals with work experience, while IIM provides a 2-year MBA designed for those looking for a more traditional academic experience.
If you are confused between an ISB vs IIM , you are probably at the right place to get your queries solved. Here we are going to make a comparison between ISB vs IIM and help you decide which is better.
What Is ISB?
ISB stands for Indian School of Business, established in 2001 it is a top private business school in India, famous for offering a 1-year MBA program also known as PGP (Post Graduate Programme) designed for developing leadership skills in an individual. ISB is currently operating in 2 locations Hyderabad and Mohali.
ISB is a highly recognised business school that offers global exposure. International collaborations and exchange programs help students enhance their global perspective. It has various tie-ups with international business schools. The faculty at ISBs have diverse academic backgrounds and provide extensive classroom experience.
What Is IIM?
IIM stands for Indian Institutes of Management it is a group of prestigious institutions with a 2-year MBA program, called Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) designed to provide a holistic understanding of core management concepts. MBA programs at IIMs are best for those who want traditional classroom experience and to gain deep knowledge of their specialisation.
IIMs are known for their prestigious name as well as strict selection process, they take candidates via CAT (Common Admission Test), group discussion and personal interviews. This makes the IIM one of the top choices for candidates who are planning to pursue an MBA program.
Which Is Better IIM Or ISB?
| Choose IIM If | Choose ISB If |
| You are a fresher or have minimal work experience. | You have 2-5 years of work experience. |
| You want a two-year MBA for more learning time. | You prefer a one-year MBA to save time. |
| You are looking for entry-level or mid-level jobs. | You want to grow faster in your career or change industries. |
| You want to learn management basics in detail. | You prefer a course that is practical and job-focused. |
| You are comfortable with the CAT exam. | You are comfortable with the GMAT or GRE. |
| You value the IIM brand and its reputation. | You want ISB’s global recognition and diverse class profile. |
| You want a more affordable program (for the two-year MBA). | You’re ready to invest in a premium course with scholarships available. |
| You prefer a large alumni network from older IIMs. | You like ISB’s fast-growing alumni network and international connections. |
ISB Vs IIM: Overview
| Criteria | ISB (Indian School of Business) | IIM (Indian Institutes of Management) |
| Program Name | PGP (Post Graduate Programme) | PGPM (Post Graduate Programme in Management) |
| Program Duration | 1 Year | 2 Years |
| Entrance Exam | GMAT/GRE Exam | CAT Exam |
| Fees | INR 40-45 lakhs (for the one-year MBA program) | INR 20-25 lakhs (for the two-year MBA program) |
| Campus Life | Focus on professional development | Diverse student culture, and clubs |
| Placement Opportunities | High placement rate, average salary ₹25-30 lakhs per annum | Excellent placements, average salary ₹20-25 lakhs per annum |
| Global Recognition | Globally recognised, tie-up with top international schools | Globally respected institute, mainly top 3 IIMs |
| Program Focus | Leadership, entrepreneurship, strategy | Comprehensive management education with specialization options |
| Ideal For | Professionals looking for quick career advancement in leadership | Freshers or those seeking a deep understanding of business management |
IIM Vs ISB: Admission Process
Admission Process In IIM
Step 1: Check eligibility for the MBA program however, it is open to freshers and early-career professionals.
Step 2: prepare for the CAT exam.
Step 3: Register for CAT/GMAT/GRE on their respective websites.
Step 4: Submit your academic details, test scores, and essays.
Step 5: Based on your exam scores, you will be shortlisted for personal interviews.
Step 6: If shortlisted, attend the personal interview.
Step 7: Admission is based on exam scores, work experience, interviews, and academic performance.
Step 8: After the interview, you will receive an admission offer if selected.
Admission process In ISB
Step 1: Check eligibility mainly requires 2 to 5 years of work experience.
Step 2: Prepare for the GMAT or GRE entrance exam.
Step 3: Register for GMAT or GRE and take the exam.
Step 4: Submit an online application with GMAT/GRE scores, essays, work experience, and recommendation letters.
Step 5: Based on your application, you will be shortlisted for the personal interview.
Step 6: If shortlisted, attend the personal interview.
Step 7: Final selection is based on GMAT/GRE score, work experience, essays, letter of recommendation, and interview performance.
Step 8: After the interview, you will receive an admission offer if selected.
IIM Vs ISB: Fee Structure
MBA Fee Structure Of IIM
- The average fees range from INR 20 to INR 25 lakhs for the entire 2-year program.
- For example, the total fee of IIM Ahmedabad is around INR 25,00,000/-
- Students need to submit INR 2,400 as application fees.
- The Tuition fee of IIM Ahmedabad is INR 18,19,000.
- The fees of IIM Ahmedabad include IIM Ahmedabad Course material Mess charges, Library, Internet, Laptop and computer, Alumni Activity and other expenses.
MBA Fee Structure Of ISB
- The fee of 1-year MBA program in ISB is approx. INR 42,00,000.
- The admission fee of ISB is INR 3,00,000 which is non-refundable.
- The Fees include an Alumni association membership of INR 25,000.
- The student must pay security money of INR 20,000, which is refundable after the deduction of any dues payable to the school.
- The programme fee will not cover travel, laptop, and other miscellaneous expenses.
IIM Vs ISB: Infrastructure And Campus Life
Infrastructure And Campus Life Of IIM
IIM campuses are large and located in different locations it offers hostel and recreational areas along with academic buildings. There are modern classrooms enabled with smartboards. The library at IIMs has an attractive collection of academic books and a large digital library. IIM Hostels have basic facilities like Wi-Fi, common areas, cafeterias etc.
IIM offers a vibrant and diverse campus life, along with its academics it runs several clubs and organizes some extracurricular activities in which students participate and contribute. Because the campus welcomes students from across the nation it creates a diverse culture that lets students understand different cultures which helps them throughout their career while engaging with people from other cultures.
Overall, IIMs provide a balanced environment to support student’s academic growth, fitness, and well-being.
Infrastructure And Campus Life Of ISB
ISB has only 2 campuses Mohali and Hyderabad, both campuses have modern infrastructure with modern technology. Classrooms at ISBs use smartboards and Wi-Fi for interactive learning. Accommodation at ISBs are fully furnished single and shared rooms. The ISB campus provides a library, gymnasium, and sports facilities to provide a balanced lifestyle to its students.
ISB offers a vibrant and diverse student experience full of personal and professional growth opportunities. It also welcomes students from many Indian states. Students participate in different academic and non-academic activities like group projects and cultural fests that allow them to work as a team and understand each other.
ISB Vs IIM: Program Structure And Specializations In MBA?
Popular MBA specializations at ISB:
- Finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Information and Technology Management
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Strategy and Leadership
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Public Policy
- Infrastructure
IIM offers a 2-year full-time MBA program that focuses on providing business and leadership skills to students. In the first year, students must study subjects like finance, marketing, and operations, while in the second year, they can choose elective subjects according to their interests.
Also, students must complete a summer internship to gain practical experience. The program focuses on leadership development via workshops and industry interactions.
Popular MBA specialisations at IIM:
- Finance
- Supply Chain Management
- Information Technology
- Human Resources
- Entrepreneurship
- General Management
- Healthcare Management
- International Business.
ISB Vs IIM: Placement Cell
Placement Cell At ISB
The Placement cell at ISB plays an important role in connecting students with top companies for internships and full-time job opportunities. The placement cell at ISB works closely with students throughout the placement process and helps them prepare resumes prepare them for interviews etc.
ISB offers a wide range of job opportunities across industries like finance, marketing, consulting, and entrepreneurship. It Provides career counselling, guidance, and skill development to help students find the right fit. It runs annual placement week and summer internships that often lead to full-time positions.
Placement Cell At IIM
The Placement Cell at IIM aims to help students to get internship and career opportunities. The cell works closely with top companies across the various sectors including finance, and information technology to ensure a smooth recruitment process.
The IIM placement cell runs annual recruitment week and summer internships that often lead to full-time roles. It helps students to build resume building, interview preparation, and skill development. Strong ties with top companies offering a variety of job opportunities.
ISB Vs IIM: Pros And Cons
Pros And Cons Of ISB
Below are the Pros and Cons of ISB (Indian School of Business):
| Pros | Cons |
| ISB’s 1-Year Program is Ideal for professionals wanting to return to work quickly | Higher Tuition Fees compared to IIMs |
| To provide Global Exposure It has several international partnerships with top universities. | One-Year Duration leads to limited time for deep exploration of subjects. |
| Strong Industry Connections and Alumni Network | It is not ideal for freshers or those with limited work experience. |
| Modern Infrastructure with world-class facilities | The program is designed for experienced professionals, not fresh graduates. |
| Diverse Student Cohort offering varied perspectives. | ISB has campuses in Hyderabad and Mohali, so options are limited compared to IIMs. |
Pros And Cons Of IIM
Below are the Pros and Cons of IIM (Indian Institute of Management):
| Pros | Cons |
| IIMs are well-known and respected globally. | The difficult admission process makes it hard to get in due to the tough CAT exam and interviews. |
| Its 2-Year Program gives you more time to learn and network | High Fees that could be expensive for some |
| It offers many specialisations to Choose from like Marketing, Finance, etc. | High Stress due to demanding academics |
| Strong Placement Opportunities with top companies | The 2-year program is fixed, and there isn’t much freedom to change specializations. |
| Big Alumni Network for support and guidance | Shared rooms in hostels might not feel comfortable for everyone. |
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Final Words
So now, that you know the difference between an IIM and an ISB, you get an idea of which business institute is better for you. While both institutes are best in providing business knowledge choosing one institute for further studies completely depends on your interests and your preferences.
Ensure that the institute you choose is fulfilling your course-related requirements. Considering a few points like campus life, infrastructure of the institute, program structure and other requirements will help you to know IIM vs ISB which is better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Which is better, ISB or IIM?
Ans. ISB and IIM are excellent choices, but the better option depends on your career goals and aspirations.
Q.2 Which institution has better faculty?
Ans. Both ISB and IIM have excellent faculty, but ISB has more international faculty with professors from top global business schools.
Q.3 How do I choose between ISB and IIM?
Ans. Consider your individual career goals, academic background, and personal preferences when choosing between ISB and IIM.
Q.4 Can I get into ISB or IIM without work experience?
Ans. ISB requires a minimum of 2 years of work experience, while IIMs do not have a specific work experience requirement.
Q.5 How do I prepare for the ISB and IIM entrance exams?
Ans. Prepare for the entrance exams by studying for the GMAT/GRE and CAT, respectively, and practicing with mock tests and sample questions.
