IIT vs IIM: Which one is better for MBA?

Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management are the two notable tags in the country which every student wants to add with their name. While IIT offers a technology driven MBA program, IIM provides a traditional MBA education program mainly focusing on business analytics and reasoning.

According to an academic report, graduates at top IITs receive 137% higher salary as compared to an average engineer whereas a Management Graduate earns 121% higher salary as compared to an average MBA Graduate.

The debate on which is best between an IIT and an IIM has been longing for years. Every Indian parent has once in their lifetime wished that their children get to either IIT or an IIM. Getting into an IIT or an IIM has always been an emotional as well as a celebratory moment for the whole family as the degree from these esteemed institutes conjures the image of a high-paying job at least an MNCs. In India IITs and IIMs are the mecca of Technology and Management respectively.

IIT vs IIM quick facts

• In Technology, where IITs are known as wizards, IITians are the tech circle that includes engineering and science.
• Whereas an IIM Graduate has to learn about the Management of an organization. Technical people work independently on various tools and technologies.
• Management circle requires a strong understanding of essential business areas in order to expand their business. This creates a strong base in the minds of people.
• Technical persons always need to learn new tools and will have to keep up with the latest technologies.

IIT vs IIM

Technology– Technology is taking action and coming up with new ideas in order to meet human needs. It basically includes creating new tools and software, implementing new technical aspects to make the lives of people easier. Technology is the sum of skills, techniques, methods, and processes used in the production of goods.

Management– Management is a process of controlling and administering the organization in order to get the desired result. It includes Strategic Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, and controlling an organization. Management involves the coordination of various departments in an organization (such as Human resources, Finance Department, Marketing, and Information Resources) in order to fulfill an organization’s goals and operate the business efficiently.

IIT

There are various streams a person can choose from after getting into IIT. Some of the streams a person can pursue after his graduation in Computer Science and Technology, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, and many more. An IT Engineer receives the most attractive pay packages as compared to any other technical branch. IITs also offer Post- Graduation as well as Ph.D. for willing candidates.

IIM

There is a wide range of opportunities to choose from but candidates choose to work in Finance, Marketing, Human Resource, and Operations as the scope of these fields are more than any other streams. IIMs have even started offering different courses like Business Analytics, Executive Management, Leadership Programs, ePGP, etc.

IIM vs IIT : MBA Courses

The MBA programmes at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are renowned for their curriculum, experienced faculty, and innovative education.

The IIMs, established for business and management studies, offer full-time and online MBA programmes such as executive MBA, executive FPM, PGPM, and PGDM.

On the other hand, the IITs, known for their engineering and technical courses, also offer robust management programmes. The MBA programmes at IITs include MBA, MBA Business Analytics, MBA Telecom, and many others.

Eligibility Criteria

IIT

• To enter in IIT a candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board.
• He/She shall have obtained at least 55% in 10+2.
• Candidates should have studied Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry in 10+2.
• Candidates should have scored well and should have met the minimum cut-off set by each IIT in JEE Advanced.

IIM

• To get admission to IIM, candidates should have completed Graduation.
• Candidates should have scored at least 55% to be eligible for CAT and should have scored at least 80% in graduation to get a call from IIM.
• Candidates should have obtained the minimum cut-off set by each IIM in CAT.

Eligibility Criteria

IIT

• To enter in IIT a candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board.
• He/She shall have obtained at least 55% in 10+2.
• Candidates should have studied Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry in 10+2.
• Candidates should have scored well and should have met the minimum cut-off set by each IIT in JEE Advanced.

IIM

• To get admission to IIM, candidates should have completed Graduation.
• Candidates should have scored at least 55% to be eligible for CAT and should have scored at least 80% in graduation to get a call from IIM.
• Candidates should have obtained the minimum cut-off set by each IIM in CAT.

Entrance Examinations

The prestigious institutes be it IIT be it IIM conduct entrance exams for admitting students into their flagship programs.

IITs

IITs conduct Joint Entrance Examination which is conducted in two phases JEE mains and JEE Advanced.

JEE

One of the toughest engineering entrance exams in India is JEE. Hence, one needs to be well prepared before appearing for the exam. He/she should be well versed with the concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics to clear JEE Exam. Having the concepts cleared, taking a lot of Mocks, and solving previous year papers can help a lot to level up their preparation.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as their subjects are eligible for the exam.

GATE

One of the toughest engineering entrance exams in India is GATE. Hence, one needs prepare well before appearing for the exam. The candidates must prepare well keeping the concepts of subjects studied in Graduation. After having all the  concepts clear, taking a lot of mocks, and solving previous year’s papers can help a lot to level up their preparation.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should have completed Graduation in Engineering.

IIMs

All IIMs prefer CAT scores along with the profile that includes your Academics, Work Experience, Accolades, etc. After one has scored the minimum cut-off defined by each IIMs, Students are called for further rounds of tests that include Group Discussion, Personal Interviews.

CAT

CAT is one of the toughest Management Entrance exams in India. Many management institutes prefer CAT scores to offer admission to candidates.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should have completed Graduation in any discipline.

How to apply for the Exams

• Register yourself on the portal.
• Fill in the required information.
• Select the course.
• Fill the application form Thoroughly.
• Choose the examination center.
• Upload the required documents.
• Review the application and submit the application.
• Pay the asked amount.

How to prepare for Exams

• Have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus and be updated with it.
• Strategize your learning and practice according to the subject.
• Prepare notes that will be helpful in the end for revision.
• Give a mock test to review your learning and plan according to weak sections.
• Solve previous year’s papers.

IIT vs IIM Salary

Both IITs and IIMs have an excellent placement record since their incubation. Both provide good packages at good profiles. An IITian goes into technicalities of a product whereas an IIM student manages the organization and makes strategic plans to sell the product. The salary of different IITs and IIMs are given below.

IIT

IITians are offered roles mostly in the Technical and research sector. Some of the profiles offered to IITians are Mechanical Engineer, System Engineer, Developer, Civil Engineer, Programmer, IT Engineer, Network Engineer, Research Associates. Top recruiters at IITs are Microsoft, Google, TCS, Infosys, ITC, John Deere, Nvidia Corporation, ONGC, Amazon, Adobe.

IIM

IIM Graduates are offered roles of Sales Manager, Consultant, Analysts, Management Trainee, Finance executive, Project Manager, Investment Banker, Product Managers at some of the top national and international companies that include Ernest and Young, Deloitte, Walmart, Accenture, JP Morgan Chase, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Altisource and many more.

IIT vs IIM which is better?

Students wish to get into IIT in order to follow their passion for engineering or get fundamentals of engineering whereas an IIM makes a student a better manager to administer a company. The IITs give a good RoI (Return on Investment) that is offering good placements without much fees while on the other hand except few Management Institutes the RoI decreases. However, the Salary offered via an IIM is much better than an IIT. The choice of being an alumnus of IIT or IIM solely depends on you.

IIT vs IIM which is tough?

Getting into IIT is a bit tough as compared to getting into IIM. To get into IIT one has to clear one of the toughest exams in India- JEE Mains and JEE advance and has to secure a good rank in order to get into an IIT. Every year approximately 20,00,000 people register for the JEE exam while the number of seats in IIT is approximately 17,000. So, competition to get into an IIT is a lot more than an IIT. Getting into an IIM is equally tough as getting into an IIT. One has to clear the set cut-offs in CAT which is one of the toughest management entrance exams. For CAT approximately 2,50,000 people register for 20,000 seats in IIMs. So, the competition is fierce for getting into an IIT.

IIT vs IIM Startups

Most of the startups are set up by IIT Graduates. According to research done in 2015, around 200 IIM Graduates opt for Startups whereas the number is 1,600 for the same path. IIM graduates earn better salaries and, in some cases, far better than an IIT Graduate. It becomes difficult for an IIM Graduate to leave a plush and handsome salaried job for an entrepreneurial journey. So, the number of Startups arousing from an IIT Graduate is more than an IIM Graduate.

IIT or IIM which is better for MBA?

Adding the Tag of an IIT or IIM has always been a dream of every student. When it comes to MBA, IIMs are known for their flagship Management programs. We have compared the MBA programs from an IIT and an IIM. Read through.

MBA from IITs

• IITs have a rich alumni base and mostly are existing even before any IIMs.
• The fees of an MBA from an IIT are low as compared to many IIMs.
• As many IITs is a brand before many IIMs, they have good Infrastructure.
• The batch size is less, making it a less competitive process in terms of placement.
• IITs are Popular for the MBA in Operations.

MBA from IIMs

• IIMs are synonymous to management education in India.
• Batch size is more making the competition fiercer and rigour.
• Provide excellent placements and many offer roles of good managerial positions.
• The batch of an IIM is diverse. The batch will contain students from varied fields like Engineering, Hotel Management, Commerce, Science, Arts, etc.
• An MBA from an IIM is more valuable than an MBA from an IIT. As most companies prefer students from IIM for holding the managerial positions.