MBA from India vs Abroad: Which one is better?

Master of Business Administration or MBA is a popular postgraduate degree pursued by students after completing the undergraduate degree in the related stream. It is ideal for students who wish to enhance their careers in top management positions in popular organizations. So many students are still confused about pursuing 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 mind of students. Here we will answer a few of them to help you select the best one.

GMAT vs CAT

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and CAT  (Common Admission Test) are two exams required to get admission into an MBA program. GMAT is an entrance exam necessary for students who are aiming to study MBA from abroad universities. CAT 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.

If we talk about the examination cost, then CAT is far more 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.

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 is 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.

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.

Consider all aspects carefully

A candidate must analyze the following aspects before pursuing an MBA abroad:

• It certainly makes a difference on your CV if you do your MBA abroad. In India, an MBA degree from a reputable university abroad is highly valued. It is important to keep the word ‘reputed’ in mind since your post MBA graph will vary depending on where you completed your MBA.
• Most of the international B-schools with top rankings are expensive and hard to get into. Particularly, students who belong to middle-income groups have few choices in hand of attending less-expensive and lesser-known colleges. While some of these schools are genuine, the majority are not.
• Most companies maintain a list of qualified universities, so if a particular university isn’t on that list, chances of your hiring is less. Remember that employers look at rankings and reputation when considering applicants.
• A number of low-ranked foreign universities claim to offer bright futures to Indian students, but this isn’t true. A lot of universities do not provide placement opportunities. Don’t trust the advertisements, but rather do your own research.
• Be sure to check the following points before choosing your B-school: How well-recognized is the B-school? Do you know any prominent alumni? How is the placement rate? Is there any good career service?
• You will be able to find information about a particular B-school on the internet. If you do not find any relevant information, it is always a good idea to connect with past and present students of the university. For alumni and school contacts, social networking sites like Facebook are useful.